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Thailand
Your Thailand cheat sheet that covers customs clearance and import duties for your eCommerce international shipping needs, eCommerce insights, and more
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Thailand's B2C Customs Clearance Info and eCommerce Insights
| ID | TH |
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Official Language | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Population Size | 69.7 million |
Thailand’s eCommerce Market
Thailand’s eCommerce market value is US$4.9 billion at 2020 and is expected to grow to US$6.5 billion by 2024.
As the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand has one of the highest number of internet users in the region – 48.4 million internet users who are well versed in using digital technologies, mobile, and eCommerce. This growing internet base provides many growth opportunities for eCommerce businesses.
Customs & regulations
Import Duty and Taxes
In Thailand, there is a VAT exemption for online shopping goods valued less than 1,500 Baht purchased from merchants outside of Thailand and shipped into the market.
| Shipment value below 1,500 Baht | |
|---|---|
| Tax | 0% |
| Shipment value above 1,500 Baht | |
|---|---|
| Value-Added Tax (VAT) | 7% |
| Import Duties | 5-30% |
Restricted and Forbidden Goods
Restricted items that require special permits before going through customs clearance:
- Imagery of Buddha
- Medicines, cosmetics, food and supplementary products
- Firearms and explosives
- Fauna, flora, fish and other aquatic fauna
- Vehicle parts
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Restricted telecommunications equipment
Prohibited items that cannot be imported into the market:
- Pornographic materials
- Narcotics e.g. marijuana, hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin
- Fake currency, bonds, or coins
- Counterfeit trademark goods
- Endangered animals or CITES-listed wildlife
This list may change depending on government regulations. Visit official customs page for the latest version.
Documentation
Documents required by Thailand’s customs clearance include:
1. Packing List
This gives product details, shipment volume in kilogram or cubic meter, and serves as a checklist to ensure shipment has been packed correctly or not.
2. Commercial Invoice
This gives total shipment value usually in US dollar. Helps to determine the import duties and taxes, and eligibility of shipment.
If you are shipping without a logistics partner that can clear customs on your behalf, you may need to include the following shipping documentation as well:
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Insurance policy
- Other relevant permits, licenses, and certificates
Additional information
Payment preferences
Digital payment methods take the lion’s share of Thai’s payment preferences, with 23% of them opting for bank transfer, 23% using eWallets, and 30% using a card. Cash on delivery amounts to 15% of all eCommerce transactions. ECommerce sellers who wish to enter this market may want to consider offering multiple forms of payment to attract more customers.
Non-working days in 2020
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays are non-working days. Please expect shipment delays on these days.
List of public holidays:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Jan 25 | Chinese New Year |
| Feb 8 | Makha Bucha Day |
| Apr 6 | Chakri Day |
| Apr 13-16 | Songkran Festival |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 4 | Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn |
| May 6 | Visakha Bucha Day |
| May 13 | Royal Ploughing Ceremony |
| Jul 5 | Asahna Bucha Day |
| Jun 3 | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| Jul 5 | Buddhist Lent |
| Jul 6 | Khao Phansa |
| Jul 28 | H.M. King’s Birthday |
| Aug 12 | H.M. Queen’s Mother’s Birthday |
| Oct 13 | The Passing of King Bhumibol |
| Oct 23 | Chulalongkorn Day |
| Dec 5 | King Bhumibol’s Birthday |
| Dec 10 | Constitution Day |
| Dec 31 | New Year’s Eve |
Market Opportunities
Popular eCommerce Item Categories
- Electronics & Media
- Toys, DIY & Hobbies
- Branded Lifestyle Apparel
- Branded Bags & Accessories
- Lifestyle Footwear
Popular Shopping Seasons
| Event Name | Event Period |
|---|---|
| Lunar New Year | Jan/Feb |
| Lazada Birthday Festival | Mar/Apr |
| Carnival Summer Sale | Apr 1-2 |
| 9.9 Mobile Shopping Day | Sep 9 |
| Singles’ Day Online Sale | Nov 11 |
| 12.12 Online Sale | Dec 12 |
Popular Shipping Destinations
| EXPORTS | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Market |
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | China |
| 3 | Japan |
| 4 | Hong Kong |
| 5 | Malaysia |
| IMPORTS | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Market |
| 1 | China |
| 2 | Japan |
| 3 | United States |
| 4 | Malaysia |
| 5 | South Korea |
Sources:
Worldometers (2020) | Statista (2020) | Statista (2020) | Hootsuite/We are social (2019) | ASEAN Briefing (2018) | Thai Customs Department (2020) | Public Holidays (2020) | JP Morgan (2019) | Frost & Sullivan “South East Asia Transportation and Logistics Market” (2017)
Updated as of 30 Jan 2020.
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