What can not be exported from Thailand: a complete list and recommendations

Traveling to Thailand, vacation in this exotic country of Smiles is no surprise. But in order that rest does not turn into a nightmare, it is better to prepare beforehand and study both customs and laws of these edges. Especially it is necessary to pay attention to that it is impossible to take out from Thailand. After all, you do not want trouble at customs?

Of course, there are people who hope for a chance or for ubiquitous corruption. But then this article is not for them. Many tourists, buying souvenirs in shops or markets, have no idea that this can create problems for them when exporting. Incorrect advice can be given even by Russian guides. After all, it's no secret that often the main thing is to sell your product, and there, as they say, out of sight, out of mind. We want to help tourists not get trapped and briefly outline here the legislation of Thailand in the sphere of what is forbidden to export.

Works of art

Many people in Thailand buy Buddha images as a reminder of their stay in this country. But remember that figurines (like Gautama and Bodhisattvas) can be taken out of the country only those that are smaller than fifteen centimeters in size. As a rule, this kind of consumer goods is sold in all markets and in souvenir shops. If the statuette or its part is more than the specified height, then the thing is prohibited to be taken out.

The same applies to the bowls that serve the monks for alms. This is done because such removal is considered an insult to the feelings of believers. An exception is made only for scientists, monks, priests, religious scholars - in short, those who need such things for research or cult purposes. But for this you need to get a special license.

What else can not be exported from Thailand? Precious stones that have not been processed, grinded and rimless. Gold bars and any ornaments from platinum, stamps, antiques, works of art (even reproductions) you too can not take home without a license.

Exotic souvenirs

Let's talk now about what can not be exported from Thailand from natural materials. There are many corals in this country, but just like in Egypt, you will not be allowed to take them unpunished with impunity. If you bought jewelry from this material, then there will be no problems. Although it is not necessary to buy products from corals and shells are too large. And then you can attract unnecessary attention of customs officers. Do not try to pack and stuffed any animals, if you do not have a special permission certificate.

Snakes, turtles, elephants, crocodiles

Things made of snake and crocodile skin can not be carried home only if you have too many. After all, there are many farms in the country where these animals are grown, and most of them are sold legally. But the ivory or tortoise shell is strictly prohibited. This applies to any products of these materials. Their export is illegal. An elephant in Thailand is a sacred animal, and hunting for it or killing is a violation of the law. Therefore, even buying such products in this country is impossible, this is a crime. Neither tusks nor their elements, no carvings, no bracelets, no necklaces, no rings. All this is illegal and refers to the fact that it is impossible to export from Thailand to Russia and other countries.

Turtles all over the world are under threat of destruction due to pollution of sea water, industrial fishing and poaching. Therefore, they are protected by Thai law. And even if you see combs, combs and jewels from tortoiseshell on nightmarks, you will have to resist this temptation.

Other animals and plants

Very often out of this exotic country are brought orchids. But often this happens in violation of the law. Know that you can not export plants from Thailand or any parts of them that are still in a growing condition, if you do not have documents or licenses. Therefore, only cut orchids, without roots, can be legally packaged in luggage or hand luggage.

Animals that belong to rare or endangered species are not allowed to be exported in any case. First of all, it is a sea horse. In dried form it is often sold (and bought) in Thailand. But the scanner at customs will perfectly show its silhouette. Therefore, if you really want, buy traditional Thai drugs, which include powder from the seahorse.

What fruits can not be exported from Thailand

First of all, it's durian. Of course, this fruit is a symbol of Southeast Asia. Some people hate it. Others call the king of fruit. But anyway, you and the durian will not be allowed on the plane. The laws of the country do not say anything that you do not have the right to take it, but here the rules of the airlines in this case are very strict.

Why can not I export durians from Thailand? Yes, just for his deadly smell. After all, the slightest damage - and the whole room is soaked that no freshener this ambre can be killed within a few days, or even more. To all this has disappeared, it will take at least a week. Who will be so risky? But the dried durian, or jam from it in the baggage can be taken, but not in hand luggage.

But there is another fruit that can not be taken out of Thailand by plane. Or rather, it is even a berry or melon culture - watermelon (not cut into pieces, but whole). If you are traveling by other transport, for example, by a cruise liner - please. But on the airplane, because of the pressure difference, the watermelon can explode and cause damage to both your things and your neighbors' baggage. Therefore, this berries, as a rule, are confiscated during customs inspection. The rest of the fruit can be exported. But this does not mean that you will not have problems when returning home. It turns out that fruit can not be imported from Southeast Asia to Russia. True, many do, risking confiscation.

The King's Property

Have you read the Constitution of Russia? It says that all the land belongs to the state. But in Thailand, it is the property of the king. And it's true, and not just words. Therefore, neither buy nor export it can not. The land can only be rented, and if you take it abroad, it is equated with theft. The same applies to sand. No matter how beautiful and white it may be, you can not take it with you. After all, sand is also a part of the earth. By the way, sometimes it can not even be taken from some beaches that are in protected areas. If you find yourself a special guard, which you will find such a souvenir, then you will be punished, before you reach the customs.

Unexpected ban: coconuts

But not only land and sand can not be taken with you as souvenirs. Another amazing moment for us is coconuts. They are forbidden to be packed in the luggage or hand luggage of the aircraft in any form - both green and ripe. Why can not you take coconuts out of Thailand by air? Because they do not shine through the scanner and you can not understand if there is anything illegal inside or not. Therefore, earlier, when coconuts could be carried in an airplane, they were often used for illegal drug trafficking, counterfeit money, small-caliber weapons, explosives, and so on.

Penalties for illegal transportation

Of course, not always Thai customs officers dig in all things of passengers and take illegal objects and substances. But keep in mind that scanners exist at any airport, which you will not deceive. And your things are inspected three times - when you enter the airport, during customs control and after the delivery of luggage.

Suppose you do not know that you can not export from Thailand. The list of such illegal things, however, hangs at customs, and you do not get off with statements about your ignorance. Therefore, they will be withdrawn, and you will be fined a large sum. Moreover, if suddenly your already packed suitcases cause suspicion of customs officers or frontier guards, it will be opened, but back to pack everything is unlikely to hurry. Therefore, your things can simply not reach home safely.

There are cases when customs officials, having a good mood, allow themselves to close their eyes for a certain bribe, and you - to take out an illegal item. But they can also make a scandal, confiscate a counterfeit, fine and put a stamp in the passport about violation of the rules of export. But this is serious. Therefore, it is better to be law-abiding. Especially because for the export of land in general you can get a prison sentence.