Bringing CPAP (Bi-Pap) into Thailand

[Lippo]

I am traveling to Thailand from the US in December as a tourist.

I have thoroughly searched websites to get some answers to my questions.

I am interested to know people's experience with customs regarding entering Thailand? Will Thai Customs allow me to "import" take it in with me for personal use. The machine is about 2 years old and I can produce a receipt.

Does the CPAP need to be declared to custom officials? What documentation should I have with me (knowing that a US Prescription will not be honored in Thailand) to prove a doctor has prescribed it for me for sleep apnea? Finally, is a duty charged to bring it for my personal use.

If people have had problems, does anyone know of a place to rent a machine for the 10 days I am there?

-Lippo

[Garyjames]

I travel to Thailand every 3 months usually and always take my CPAP machine.
They dnt actually scan your luggage on the way in, its on the way out departures.
Your bags are on the carousel going around and then you pick it up no more checks.
Please dont declare your Cpap machine you will be asked for a "tip" for wasting their time.

There is a Thailand Forum if you need any Expat help.
http://Www.thaivisa.com ...go to the Forums section , (click subtitle up top) then go to General Discussion or health forum .

but never ever been asked even by Australian customs and if you really really want to know, you DONT need a prescription for a CPAP in Thailand !!!!!
Like most other medication

Have a look at the expats there with the big bellys and i can assure you most of them are on CPAP.
I bought my machine from there !! In Pattaya !

There apparently is a big CPAP shop in Bangkok so maybe have a look when you get there.
And I DOUBT you require a prescriptin to buy there !

No need to declare your CPAP at all just put in suitcase as normal like everyone else does.

[Julie]

Do NOT put in your suitcase - way too much chance of losing it. You can take it as a special carry on - won't impact your regular carry-on because it's medical and not counted that way. And you shouldn't have a problem at customs... lots of people do it every day.

[Garyjames]

I never lost my machine in the 53 times i have been there.

[chunkyfrog]

It depends on the airline, and who is handling baggage that day.
Murphy's law deserves RESPECT!

[yaconsult]

Agree about taking carry-on only as it does not count against your allowance. Just think of what would happen if it didn't arrive - baggage gets lost all the time.

Here are a couple of links for you: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/tsa-rule ... 10222.html and https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medica ... pment.html

[LSAT]

I never lost my machine in the 53 times i have been there.

On September 10 you posted that you had been on CPAP for 2 weeks.....now you indicate that you Travel to Thailand every three months and you have taken your CPAP 53 times. Looking back at your posts, I'm smelling BS....must be a TROLL.

[curems]

I never lost my machine in the 53 times i have been there.

On September 10 you posted that you had been on CPAP for 2 weeks.....now you indicate that you Travel to Thailand every three months and you have taken your CPAP 53 times. Looking back at your posts, I'm smelling BS....must be a TROLL.

He also replied as a guest to his own posts with questions and then answered them himself!

[palerider]

I never lost my machine in the 53 times i have been there.

On September 10 you posted that you had been on CPAP for 2 weeks.....now you indicate that you Travel to Thailand every three months and you have taken your CPAP 53 times. Looking back at your posts, I'm smelling BS....must be a TROLL.

He also replied as a guest to his own posts with questions and then answered them himself!

ya think he's a troll, or just a great spinner of lies?

[ChicagoGranny]

I wonder in what country he lost his sense of honesty?

And, did it take 53 trips there to lose it?

Good catch, LSAT!

[Laos Film Director]

I have traveled to Thailand many times. There is no problem at all taking a CPAP into or out of Thailand. Customs is never a problem, do not claim it because it is medical equipment. Be sure to carry it on the plane with you in either the CPAP's carry on case or your own case. Never check it in with the baggage. Why risk losing it and ruining your vacation?

I have flown business class on Cathay Pacific and used it on the plane. Contact your airline for more info.

[Iamemjay]

I live in Thailand and travel in and out regularly. I carry my little machine case on board as an extra uncounted item. Never once have I been questioned about it or have they even opened it.

With all my Thailand travels over 15 years I can quite assuredly say that the talk about problems with Thailand Customs and medication etc is utter bs. If you give them due respect and don't try to play funny games with them, there will not be any problem. Even with bringing dutiable items in, on balance I'm way ahead of what the regulations say I should have paid, and that's without ever paying one cent in bribes.