Table of Contents
Importation and customs in Thailand
The Thai Government controls the importation and exportation of goods in Thailand. The controls take the form of either:
- An absolute prohibition, which means that you are not allowed to import the goods in all circumstances; or
- A restriction, you must have permission to import the goods.
Prohibited and Restricted Goods in Thailand:
The following information broadly describes what goods are prohibited or restricted in Thailand. Where you can get more information and, in the case of restricted goods, request permission to import.
1. Prohibited goods
This field details which import or export into or out of Thailand is prohibited. Anyone who imports or exports prohibited goods are considered to have committed offenses and is subject to penalties described in Thai law. Moreover, such activity is also considered as an offense under sections 27 and 27a of B. E. Customs Act 2469. It is against the law to bring the following items to Thailand.
- Obscene items/literature/images
- pornographic materials
- Goods with the Thai national flag
- Narcotics e.g., marijuana, hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin
- False currency, bonds, or coins
- Royal Fake Seals / Official seals
- IPR infringing goods such as musical tape, CD, VDO, software, etc.
- Counterfeit trademark goods
2. The limited goods
This field details which imports and exports are restricted by law and therefore require authorization from government agencies.
Any person who imports or exports goods called “restricted” without having swallowed a public body is considered to have committed offenses and is subject to penalties outlined in national legislation.
Moreover, such activity is also subject to the offense under sections 27 and 27a of B. E. 2469 Customs Act.
The Ministry of Commerce designates several classes of goods that are subject to requirements such as specific authorization and/or import license. Although, this control is liberalized, at present more than 50 categories of goods require import licenses from the Ministry of Commerce. These categories are often modified by notifications from the Ministry of Commerce. An import license must be obtained from the Ministry of Commerce before importing. This license must be accompanied by an order, confirmation, invoice from a seller, and other relevant documents.
In addition, a number of products are also subject to import under the control of other relevant organizations:
- The import of drugs, foods, and dietary supplements requires prior approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and the Ministry of Health.
- The import or export of antiques or art objects, whether registered or not, requires the authorization of the Department of Fine Arts.
- Imports of arms and ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and real/replicas guns require an appropriate license from the Interior Ministry. Other weapons such as electric shock devices must also be declared. Some of these items may require a permit before importation.
- Regarding cosmetics, any importer of controlled cosmetics must provide the name and location of the representative office and the place of manufacture or storage of cosmetics, the category or the type of cosmetics to import, and the main components of cosmetics.
- The importation of wildlife, plants, fish, and other aquatic animals requires permission from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Ministry of Agriculture, or the Ministry of Fisheries.
