Shipping secondhand goods in Thailand: Kerry, Flash, J&T, Thailand Post and bus cargo

The wrong courier choice can leave a secondhand item damaged, or so delayed that the buyer cancels. Here is a practical comparison of shipping options actually used in Thailand, plus how to pack and file a claim when something goes wrong.

Last updated: 2026-08-31 · Near Dee

Comparing the main couriers

Kerry Express suits small to medium parcels, with dense drop-off points and fast delivery in urban areas — starting around ฿40-50 for a small parcel within Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. Flash Express has one of the widest networks of drop-off points nationwide and is often cheaper on long-distance routes, making it a good fit for shipments to far-flung provinces.

J&T Express is usually the cheapest option for standard parcels on Bangkok-to-provinces routes, though delivery can run slightly slower than Kerry in some areas. Thailand Post remains the most reliable choice for remote areas that private couriers don't fully cover, and its EMS service offers faster delivery with detailed tracking.

Bulky items: bus cargo and Grab/Lalamove

Furniture, large appliances, or anything over 20kg doesn't suit standard parcel couriers. A common Thai solution is to send it via intercity bus cargo (government BKS buses or private tour buses), which accept goods at the origin counter for the recipient to collect at the destination terminal. Pricing is based on weight and distance and is far cheaper than private couriers for heavy, bulky items — but the recipient has to travel to pick it up.

For same-city or short-distance moves, Grab and Lalamove work well for bulky items that need to arrive the same day — a fridge, a sofa, a bicycle. You can choose a pickup truck or van depending on size, priced by distance and starting around ฿150-300 within Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.

Packing fragile items and electronics

Wrap fragile items in at least two layers of bubble wrap and leave no room for movement inside the box — fill gaps with newspaper or foam.
TVs, mirrors, and anything with a display screen need double-layer corrugated boxes and clear 'fragile — do not stack' labelling.
Remove removable batteries from electronics before shipping and keep the charging cable in a separate small bag inside the same box.
Film the packing process from every angle as evidence, in case a dispute arises later about the item's condition before shipping.

Insurance and claims

Most private couriers include basic compensation at no extra cost, but the ceiling is usually low — often no more than ฿1,000-2,000. For higher-value items, buy additional declared-value insurance, priced as a percentage of the stated value, and keep the purchase receipt or price evidence for the claim.

If a parcel arrives damaged, photograph the box and its contents immediately before fully unpacking. File the claim within the courier's deadline — usually 7-15 days from receipt — and keep the shipping label and tracking number as evidence.

Realistic cost and time by size

Small parcel (under 2kg, e.g. a phone, earphones): ฿35-50, arriving within 1-2 days in major cities.
Medium parcel (2-10kg, e.g. several clothing items, a small appliance): ฿50-120, arriving within 2-4 days.
Large parcel (10-20kg, e.g. a computer monitor, a printer): ฿150-350 depending on distance, arriving within 3-5 days.
Bulky items over 20kg or furniture: bus cargo (฿200-600 depending on distance) or Lalamove within the same city (฿150-500 depending on distance and vehicle size).

Before you ship a secondhand item

Fill in the recipient's full and correct address and phone number, write a rough description of the contents on the box to avoid misrouting at sorting hubs, and send the tracking number to the buyer as soon as the parcel is shipped — so both sides can track it together and disputes over delays or lost items stay rare.

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