Import process: How to send goods into Thailand

With a population of over 70 million, importing goods into Thailand can be a profitable venture for businesses looking to expand their market. However, navigating the import process can be challenging as it involves understanding various regulations, documentation requirements, and customs procedures. 

Whether you’re shipping foods or electronics, this guide will provide an overview of the key steps for successfully importing goods into the Land of Smiles, including adhering to product-specific regulations and obtaining necessary licences.

1. Know the prohibited and restricted imports

Before importing any goods into Thailand, it’s best to first find out what you can bring into the country.

Prohibited goods are items that a country completely bans from being imported or exported. The following are some examples of prohibited goods by Thailand, according to the Thai customs: 

• Narcotics 
• Pornographic materials
• Counterfeit trademark goods and IPR infringing goods
• Fake notes or coins
• Reserved animals or CITES-listed wildlife

2. Obtain appropriate licences and permits

Shippers can only import restricted items if they meet specific requirements, such as obtaining the necessary permits or licences, complying with certain regulations, or fulfilling quotas.

Here are Thailand’s restricted imports and the relevant authorities to get a permit from:

• Buddha images, artefacts/objects, antiques - Fine Arts Department
• Guns, bullets, explosives, and the equivalents to guns - Department Of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior
• Plants and their parts - Department of Agriculture
• Living animals and carcass - Department of Livestock Development
• Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement – Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)
• Vehicle parts - Ministry of Industry 
• Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages - Excise Department
• Communication radio devices and telecommunications equipment - Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission 

Once shippers have gotten their permits, they also need to fill out a customs form and provide standard shipping documents such as:

• Invoice; 
• Packing list;
• Bill of lading/airway bill, and 
• Letter of credit

3. Ensure all goods are labelled appropriately 

Next, be sure to label all your goods correctly. Below are the different labels for each respective shipment.

Food labels

Decide to import top-selling food into Thailand? For imported foods, a Thai label must be attached before entry and affixed to each item before marketing, according to the Thai FDA. Failure to do so may result in product seizure by the Thai FDA. 

Importers of these foods must request a permit to use pre-approved labels by submitting Form Sor Bor 3/1, along with formulations, production methods, food quality analysis results, and other documentation related to food standards and labelling via the Thai FDA's electronic submission system. 

Once approved, the Thai FDA will issue a food serial number and label authorisation. Pre-approved labels are only required for specifically controlled foods. 

For other foods, importers must prepare a label in compliance with the relevant Ministerial Notifications. Key information required on imported food product labels includes:

• Name of food
• Food serial number
• Name and address of manufacturer, packer, or importer
• Contents of food in metric ingredients
• Percentage by weight of main ingredients
• Allergen warning text
• Functional class title of food additives, along with specific names of the international numbering system
• Declared text of flavouring agent
• Display of "should consume by" or "expiration date"
• Warning statement (if any)
• Storage instruction (if any)
• Cooking instruction (if any)
• Instruction for use and essential text for food intended for infants or newborns
• Additional text as specified in the annex
• Texts as specified by particular notification

Additionally, the Thai FDA requires certain food products to bear nutrition labelling and guideline daily amounts (GDA) labelling. 

Alcohol labels

Labels for alcoholic beverages must display the importer/distributor name and address, the percentage of alcohol content, and a health warning in Thai with specific government-approved wording. 

Cosmetics labels

Cosmetic labelling is also subject to regulatory requirements. Local agents or importers can assist in registering a product and ensuring that labelling requirements are met.

4. Pay duties and taxes 

Once you've ensured that your imported goods are properly labelled according to Thai regulations, the next step is to pay the applicable duties and taxes.

Customs officers will determine the customs value, duty, and taxes. You will then receive a notification on how and where to collect your goods and pay the applicable duty and taxes.

For those who wish to contest Customs valuation or request duty and tax exemptions, follow these steps:

Step #1: Complete and submit the Request Form 

The Request Form is available online or at post offices. Submit it along with the notification and relevant documentation, such as purchase evidence and receipts, to the designated post office. 

There is no need to pay any duties and taxes at this stage.

Step #2: Choose among the different options

You will be informed by the Customs Service Division responsible for postal services.

You can then choose to:

• Receive the result from Thailand Post and collect the goods at the post office mentioned in the notification, or
• Request to be informed of the result and collect the goods at the Parcel Screening and Examination Sub-division, Postal Customs Service Division, EMS Centre Building, Soi Chang Wattana 5, Chaengwattana Road, Laksi, Bangkok.