Where to sell used books in Chiang Mai?

**Ben Braddock** · 8th June 2007 21:42

Can anyone recommend a used book store in Chiang Mai where I can get a fair price for my books (fiction, biographies, travel guides, etc)? I bought them brand new and they are still in good condition.

Thanks.

**Unwell** · 8th June 2007 21:46

there's loads ain't there! more so than any othert place in thailand i reckon...

here's one...http://www.wcities.com/en/record/232...21/record.html

and another...http://www.wcities.com/en/record/232...21/record.html

there's one right behind the gate...a friend of mine actually owns one but i can never remember what it's called!

**Ben Braddock** · 8th June 2007 21:53

Thanks, Unwell. Do you know if any of these shops actually buy books (as opposed to trade) off you? I have too many books already!

**Unwell** · 8th June 2007 21:56

see you point mate...i reckon they might do...if not i'm sure they can point you in the right direction to who will...i know my buddy does but...

**Om Bak** · 9th June 2007 04:04

The bookshop in the soi off Moon Muang (Queen Bee backpackers in on the corner) is worth a try if your in that part of town.

**part time teacher** · 8th June 2008 15:12

I've just visited (a couple days ago) a used book store in Chiang Mai that needs mentioning. It's clean, air conditioned, and a wonderful experience. The woman who runs it spoke wonderful english.
Now for the best part. Every book in the store is priced at 99 Baht. Even hard cover college text books. I was amazed. I'll never go to over priced Gecko books again.
Ok; Sorry. I forgot to mention the name. It's called Bookshelf.
It on Charoen Prathet Road.

**Cyrille** · 8th June 2008 15:18

Name?
Location?
Must be good if you registered just to tell us.

**Papa** · 9th June 2008 04:10

Does anyone know about the customs duty on English books imported from the US into Thailand? The Thai customs website has books listed and the rates. One page seems to clearly show that books imported from the US has a 40% tarriff plus excise, local, and VAT. When these several taxes are pluged into their formula it comes out to about 60% of the book value. A different page, as I understand it, only lists duties on Thai language books imported from the US and English language books are duty exempt.

So, does anyone know if imported English books are duty exempt?

I sell used books on ebay. I'm putting together about 1500 used books to send to Thailand. This was initiated when an acquaintance that had a school for young Thais discussed the need for English books for young Thais. Also met a chap at a bar who advised me that a bookstore specializing in secondhand English books was searching for a source of good English books. I can send a shipment of second-hand books to Bangkok at a reasonable price. But if the Thai duty for English books doubles the cost, this may price my books out of reach.

**SageAndOnion** · 9th June 2008 16:26

I am not sure about the quantities you are talking about but I have had books sent over from the UK and ordered books from Amazon in the USA, neither of which packages attracted any interest from customs officials.

**Cyrille** · 9th June 2008 17:14

^ I had several deliveries of books over a period from 2003 - 2005.

Of about six deliveries over that time I was required to pay duty twice.

It was a couple of hundred baht on goods worth about 30 pounds.

I suspect you'll have quite a time finding out what is officially supposed to happen - from my experience it seems to be 'pot luck'.

**Papa** · 10th June 2008 02:04

I'm in the US now which makes gathering Thai customs information difficult. One Pattaya falang bookstore owner advised me that a container-load of secondhand books was being imported from the UK monthly. I'm not in that league, but will be importing books as they are.

If I knew that english books (new or secondhand) were exempt from the 40% tariff on books, that would mean making a profit on a shipment of books is possible, even though local, excise and VAT tax may still be applied.

**pandabookz** · 9th April 2009 10:12

All,

You may try several secondhandbook shop on the internet also. I and my friend established a website for secondhand book under the name pandabookz.com. I also have some few good links to other secondhand book website. So please feel free to visit.

Khob Khun Krub

**Loaded** · 17th April 2009 18:19

AUA Ratchdamnoen Road has a good library. They have all the old magazines from the US consulate - National Geographic, The Economist etc, a fair selection of books and a selection of DVDs. 400 baht per year and allowed up to 4 mags and 4 books per visit.

**Cyrille** · 17th April 2009 21:07

Originally Posted by Loaded

400 baht per year

Judging by the state of AUA teachers, that's about the pay rate too.

**lemmax** · 1st May 2009 02:20

Originally Posted by Papa

Does anyone know about the customs duty on English books imported from the US into Thailand? The Thai customs website has books listed and the rates. One page seems to clearly show that books imported from the US has a 40% tarriff plus excise, local, and VAT. When these several taxes are pluged into their formula it comes out to about 60% of the book value. A different page, as I understand it, only lists duties on Thai language books imported from the US and English language books are duty exempt.

So, does anyone know if imported English books are duty exempt?

I sell used books on ebay. I'm putting together about 1500 used books to send to Thailand. This was initiated when an acquaintance that had a school for young Thais discussed the need for English books for young Thais. Also met a chap at a bar who advised me that a bookstore specializing in secondhand English books was searching for a source of good English books. I can send a shipment of second-hand books to Bangkok at a reasonable price. But if the Thai duty for English books doubles the cost, this may price my books out of reach.

Did you get any further with finding information about importing books in bulk? Do you have a link for the Thai customs page with the rates?