Basic information
Outline of the system
According to Section 5 of the Export and Import Act B.E.2522 (1979), the Minister of Commerce with the approval of the Cabinet has the authority to publish notifications in the Government Gazette to ban, to require for the permission, to prescribe any categories / kinds / qualities / standards / quantities / brands / origins / special fees, etc., of any import and export goods, in any cases where it is necessary, for economic stability, public health, national security, peace and order, good morals or any other interests of the state.
Product coverage
Currently, under the Export and Import Act B.E.2522 (1979), automatic import licensing on (1) 16 kinds of drugs, chemical and pharmaceutical products (2) Clenbuterol compounds and its salts (3) Albuterol or salbutamol and its salts (4) Caffeine and its salts (5) Intaglio printing machines (6) Volatile alkylnitrite substance (7) Used ambulances and fire trucks (8) Metal Coin Blank (9) Fuel oil (10) Rough diamonds (11) Logs, wood and all wooden products (12) Ceramic food containers and metal-coated food containers (13) Cassava and cassava products (14) Swine's offal (15) Shallots (16) Fresh oranges (17) Gas water warmer and water heater (18) Potassium permanganate (19) Fish meal with protein content more than 60% (20) Maize (corn) for animal feed (21) Soya-bean meal and (22) Salt.
The product number 1–8 is import licensing measures whereas number 9–22 is import under condition for import administration measures.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The licensing procedures are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of the imports. The purposes of utilizing import licensing procedures are necessary to:
(a) 16 kinds of drugs, chemical and pharmaceutical products to protect public health, for national economic security, to control and check that the person who wishes to import drugs has adequate capability for doing such business
(b) Clenbuterol compounds and its salts to protect public health and human life in pork consumption
(c) Albuterol or salbutamol and its salts to protect public health and human life in pork consumption and to prevent negative effect on pork exports
(d) Caffeine and its salts to control narcotic drug and to protect human health and national security
(e) Intaglio printing machines and colour copier machines to prevent the making of counterfeit money
(f) Volatile alkylnitrite substance to protect public health, social and national security
(g) Used ambulances and fire trucks to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(h) Metal coin Blank to prevent counterfeiting of coins and in accordance with the coins curently used
(i) Fuel oil to sustain economic stability and security
(j) Rough diamonds to comply with the UN Resolution 55/56 (2000) dated 1 December 2000
(k) Logs, wood and all wooden products to conserve environment and exhaustible natural resources, to prevent illegal logging
(l) Ceramic food containers and metal-coated food containers to protect public health
(m) Cassava and cassava products to protect plant life and health
(n) Swine's offal to protect public health
(o) Shallots to protect public health
(p) Fresh oranges to protect public health
(q) Gas water warmer and water heater to protect human life and public safety
(r) Potassium permanganate to protect national security and public morals
(s) Fish meal with protein content more than 60% to stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(t) Maize (corn) for animal feed to stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(u) Soya-bean meal to stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(v) Salt to collect trade statistics or market surveillance
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Thailand has no discriminatory policy regarding the country of origin of the imported commodities. Import of Rough diamonds permit under Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Ongoing
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The licensing system is a statutory requirement of the Export and Import Act B.E.2522 (1979)
(a) 16 kinds of drugs, chemical and pharmaceutical products
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Medicaments, Pharmaceutical Products and their Salt, Semi-finished Pharmaceutical Products into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2545 (2002) (dated 22 May 2002)
(b) Clenbuterol compounds and its salts
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 107) B.E. 2538 (1995) (dated 17 March 1995)
(c) Albuterol or salbutamol and its salts
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Albuterol or Salbutamol B.E. 2545 (2002) (dated 29 March 2002)
(d) Caffeine and its salts
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Exportation and Importation of Caffeine B.E. 2545 (2002) (dated 8 November 2002)
(e) Intaglio printing machines
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Intagilo Printing Machinery that Require Import permit for Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2564 (2021) (dated 2 August 2021)
(f) Volatile alkylnitrite substance
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Volatile Alkyl Nitrite Substance to Require Import Permit for Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2557 (2014) (dated 28 October 2014)
(g) Used ambulances and fire trucks
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Determination of Used Motor Vehicles as Import Prohibited Goods or Subject to Licensing Requirements on Regulation of Import into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2562 (2019) (dated 12 June 2019)
(h) Metal Coin Blank
Notification of Ministry of Commerce on Import of Metal Coin Blank into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2563 (2020) (dated 10 December 2020)
(i) Fuel oil
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Fuel Oil as the Goods subject to Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2552 (2009) (dated 22 June 2009)
(j) Rough diamonds
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Exportation and Importation of Rough Diamonds into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E.2546 (2003) (dated 16 May 2003)
(k) Logs, wood and all wooden products
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No.92) B.E.2535 (1992) (dated 30 November 1992)
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Importation of Woods and Wood Conversions including Artifact Made of Wood, Equipment, or Other Things Made from Woods into the Kingdom Along the Border of Tak Province and Karnchanaburi Province B.E. 2548 (2005) (dated 29 November 2005)
(l) Ceramic food containers and metal-coated food containers
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Establishing Ceramic Ware and Enamel ware as Prohibited Goods or Goods which require Health Certificate for Import into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2551 (2008) (dated 8 August 2008)
(m) Cassava and cassava products
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Cassava and Cassava Products as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 (2017) (dated 20 December 2017)
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Cassava and Cassava Products as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand (No.2) B.E.2562 (2019) (dated 21 March 2019)
(n) Swine's offal
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Swine's Offal as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2555 (2012) (dated 27 December 2012)
(o) Shallots
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Shallots as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2555 (2012) (dated 27 December 2012)
(p) Fresh oranges
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Fresh Oranges as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2555 (2012) (dated 27 December 2012)
(q) Gas water warmer and water heater
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Instantaneous Gas Water Heaters as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2557 (2014) (dated 18 November 2014)
(r) Potassium permanganate
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Exportation and Importation of Potassium Permanganate B.E. 2545 (2002) (dated 28 August 2002)
(s) Fish meal with protein content more than 60%
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 74) B.E. 2533 (1990) (dated 7 March 1990)
(t) Maize (corn) for animal feed
To stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(u) Soya-bean meal
To stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(v) Salt
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding Salts as the Goods Requiring Certificate for and Compliance with the Administrative Measures on the Importation into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2564 (2021) (dated 28 June 2021)
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation leaves the designation of products to be licensed to administrative discretion under well-defined criteria.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
All import controlled measures must be approved by the Cabinet before imposing the regulations.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Under the automatic import licensing system, any person, firm or juristic person are eligible to apply for a licence as long as they meet the specific requirements.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce
Address
563 Nonthaburi road, Bangkrasor, Nonthaburi, Thailand 11000
Telephone
(+66)2-547-5124
Fax
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Documentation and other requirements for application of import licence are such as:
- Name and address of the importer;
- Business of the importer;
- Name and address of exporter/shipper;
- Country of origin;
- Means of transport;
- Description and amount of goods to be imported;
- Invoice/Pro-forma invoice;
- Sales contract;
- Certificate of Import Permit;
- Approved document from authorities concerned;
- Other necessary documents;
- Bank guarantee (in case of re-exportation).
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
There is no certain period for advanced application of an import licence. In general, an applicant should apply for the licence 1-2 weeks before the departure of the shipment.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
The application may be submitted on every working day.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
An automatic import licence cannot be granted immediately upon request. Prior review of the application is required. The licence could be granted in 1 day if all required documents are approved.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The application will not be granted if the product has already arrived at the customs border.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Import licences are issued by the Department of Foreign Trade and/or other authorities concerned.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Import licences are issued by the Department of Foreign Trade and/or other authorities concerned.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Not applicable.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge for automatic import license issued by Department of Foreign Trade.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
However, an amount of 30 baht is charged for each application form if it is issued manually but there is no fee for application form if it is issued electronically.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Not applicable.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
In general, there is no circumstance other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria under import-controlled regulations.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reason for any refusal will be given to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
However, they will be given the right to appeal to the authorities concerned for reconsideration.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The Ministry of Commerce and/or the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade and/or authorities appointed by the Ministry of Commerce are the final decision-makers.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
At the time of actual importation, depend on types of import regulations, the import licence or registration number or notification number or relevant certificate must be presented to the customs at the port where the entry takes place.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
If the products also regulated by another government agencies, the importer must follow their measures as well.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The licence issued by Department of Foreign Trade is valid for 90 days and could be extended only twice (the validity period of each time is 90 days).
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
A licence is not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.