Bringing a cruise and sports vessel, commonly known as a “yacht,” into Thailand temporarily involves specific procedures. According to the law, a “cruise and sports vessel” refers to “a vessel used for leisure or sports purposes and not for commercial use, unless permitted under the law governing Thai vessels.” This includes yachts and motorized sailboats. Let’s look at the rules, procedures, and necessary documents required to bring a vessel into Thai waters.
Reporting the Entry of a Vessel
- Legal Requirement: If a vessel is brought into Thailand from a foreign country, the shipmaster must report the vessel’s entry to customs officials within 24 hours of the vessel’s arrival at the port.
- Document Submission: Submit a Ships Inwards Report (Form 372) and present the vessel’s registration certificate along with other required documents:
- Registration Certificate: Provide the original and one copy.
- Passport: Provide the original and one copy.
- Other Documents: Such as the original Port Clearance from the last port, and a color photograph of the vessel showing the vessel’s name.
- Authorization: If the vessel owner is not personally bringing the vessel into the country, a power of attorney must be provided, authorizing someone traveling with the vessel to be responsible for the entry process.
- Verification and Record-Keeping: Once all criteria and conditions are verified, the information will be recorded in the “Vehicle Crossing System,” and a special cargo permit number will be issued.
- Special Cargo Permit: Customs officials will print the special cargo permit and its duplicate, stamping a warning on the back stating: “Warning: Failure to remove the vessel from the country may result in the importer being liable for payment under the security bond and may also face prosecution for tax evasion and/or violation of legal restrictions, punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under customs law.”
- Acknowledgment: The vessel importer must sign both the original and duplicate copies of the special cargo permit, retain the original as a record, while the duplicate and accompanying documents will be kept by customs officials for future monitoring and control.
Taking a Vessel Out of the Kingdom
- Customs Reporting: The shipmaster must report to customs officials and submit a Declaration for Ships Outwards (Form 373) to request a Clearance Outwards (Form 378), along with the necessary documents:
1. Original Simplified Customs Declaration Form (the initial form submitted upon entry).
2. Passport.
3. Other relevant documents (if any).
- Authorization: If the vessel owner is not personally handling the exit, a power of attorney from the owner must be provided.
- Customs Clearance: Once the customs officials have cleared the vessel for departure, they will record the exit in the “Vehicle Crossing System” and retain the Simplified Customs Declaration Form for their records.
Requesting an Extension/Renewal of the Security Bond
- Application Process: Submit a request to the relevant Customs Office/Customs Checkpoint where the vessel is docked within the responsible area before the expiration of the security bond.
- Extension Limit: The extension period must not exceed 2 years and 6 months from the date of entry.
See more details at here
Source: Customs Department
Photo: teksomolika
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