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) non-automatic import licensing is being utilized for (1) Fish meal with protein content less than 60% (2) Building stone (Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, Marble, travertine and alabaster, granite; other stone) (3) Used diesel engines displacement of 331-1,100 cc. (4) Antique idols and parts thereof, parts of ancient monuments, ancient coins, inscriptions and ancient manuscripts and prehistoric implements (5) Waste and scrap of plastics (6) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber for buses or trucks (7) Used tractors for semi-trailers and (8) Used special purpose motor vehicles and (9) Gold
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment
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) Fish meal with protein content less than 60% to stabilize price for raw material used for animal food
(b) Building stone (Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, Marble, travertine and alabaster, granite; other stone) to administer the importation and utilization of marble and building stone
(c) Used diesel engines displacement of 331-1,100 cc. to protect human life and public health and safety
(d) Antique idols and parts thereof, parts of ancient monuments, ancient coins, inscriptions and ancient manuscripts and prehistoric implements to prevent smuggling of historical objects or antiques
(e) Waste and scrap of plastics to protect environment and public health
(f) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber for buses or trucks to protect human life, public health and the environment
(g) Used tractors for semi-trailers to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(h) Used special purpose motor vehicles to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(i) Gold to protect economic security and financial stability
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.
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) Fish meal with protein content less than 60%
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 72) B.E. 2533 (1990) (dated 7 March 1990)
(b) Building stone (Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, Marble, travertine and alabaster, granite; other stone)
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on License Requirement for Import of Stone into the Kingdom B.E. 2551 (2008) (dated 16 June 2008)
(c) Used diesel engine displacement of 331-1,100 cc
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 130) B.E. 2541 (1998) (dated 9 September 1998)
(d) Antique idols and parts thereof, parts of ancient monuments, ancient coins, inscriptions and ancient manuscripts and prehistoric implements
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Importation of Antiques Originating in Foreign Countries into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2547 (2004) (dated 11 November 2004) Order No.264/2554
(e) Waste and scrap of plastics
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 112) B.E. 2539 (1996) (dated 7 February 1996)
(f) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber for buses or trucks
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Determination of Used Tires as Prohibited Goods or Subject to Licensing Requirements and Compliance with Measures on Regulation of Import into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2556 (2013) (dated 16 August 2013)
(g) Used tractors for semi-trailers
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) Used special purpose motor vehicles
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)
(i) Gold
Notification of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Regarding the Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 28) B.E. 2505 (dated 28 March 1962).
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 non - 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.
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?
A non-automatic import licence cannot be granted immediately upon request. Prior review of the application is required.
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 non - automatic import license issued by Department of Foreign Trade.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The deposit or advance payment in form of a cashier cheque, associated with the issue of licence exists only in cases of import of used pneumatic tyres of rubber for buses or trucks. It will be seized if there is no re-exportation.
Amount or rate?
The rate of deposit will be four times the import value of those tyres and, at the same time, the period of validity would depend on the period of time in which the tyres is to be re-exported.
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
The rate of deposit will be four times the import value of those tyres and, at the same time, the period of validity would depend on the period of time in which the tyres is to be re-exported.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
The purpose of the deposit requirement is to ensure that the imported tyres will be re-exported.
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.