Buddha Images and Statues

Guidelines About Buying Buddha Statues In Thailand

If you are going to purchase Buddha images or Buddha statues in Thailand that are over 12cm or 5 inches in size, you must follow the following guidelines or risk having them confiscated by customs on departure.

The restriction says that images of Buddha can be taken out of the country providing they are full images, not just a part of, like a hand or head and written permission is obtained with a limit of no more than 5 replica images of Buddha per trip, can be taken out of Thailand.

If you are planning on buying Buddha statues and will be applying for an export permit, it would be best to plan and allow 4 to 5 days for the process.

Shop owners may, if they are willing, help you to obtain a permit; if not, you will need to apply to the local Fine Arts Department yourself.

Be aware that when applying for an export permit through the local Fine Arts Department, a permit needs to be issued for every image.

The process requires that you have 2 front-view photos of the Buddha image and a certified copy of your passport with the application.

An official from the Fine Arts Department must inspect each image, and the provincial governor must sign the permit. As mentioned, you will need to allow 4 to 5 days for this process to happen.

Buying Buddha Images

By far the best way to buy your desired Buddha garden statue is to deal with a shop owner or exporter who has had the Fine Arts Department visit and inspect the image of Buddha for sale, and do your research on how much it may cost when shipping from Thailand.

Once the image has been approved, the authorities can grant permits for each image. Upon the sale of the image, the traveller can be given the permit and the statue at the same time.

The following is an extract from the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for export of images of Buddha.

Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or related fragments, part of ancient monuments and prehistoric objects, are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom. Newly cast images of Buddha in complete condition can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Not more than 5 pieces per person shall be allowed.

Reproductions of antiquities can also be exported with licenses.

Procedures to obtain a license for export of antiquities or Buddha images:

The following documents should be produced together with the application form :

two copies (3x5 inches) of front view photograph of the object(s)
a photocopy of the applicant's passport (in case of export of Buddha images, the photocopy of passport must be certified as a true copy by the related Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.)
Bring the object(s) and the documents to apply for a license at any of the following places: