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
Import prohibited goods:
(a) Electrical and mechanical operating games
(b) Goods by deceptive practice.
(c) Copyrights-infringing cassette tapes, audio, compact disc, video tapes, computer programs and books.
(d) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber (for cars, motorcycles, bicycles)
(e) Waste, parings and scrap of rubber of cars, buses/trucks, motorcycles and bicycles
(f) Bodies of used motor vehicles including cabs and chassis thereof, and frames of used motorcycles excluding those of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and forks and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches
(g) Used tractors excluding used road tractors for semi-trailers and used tractors for agricultural use
(h) Used motor vehicles except used ambulances
(i) Used antiques motor vehicles of an age exceeding one hundred years
(j) Ceramic food containers and metal-coated food containers
(k) Used motorcycles
Absolutely prohibited goods:
(a) Household refrigerator, combined refrigerator-freezer utilizing CFC in the production process.
(b) Used engines, parts and accessories of motorcycles of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches.
(c) Logs and sawn wood which are made of teak trees, rubber trees or forbidden trees from the border of Tak and Kanchanaburi provinces.
(d) Baraku/Shisha, electronic cigarette and Baraku including Heat-not-burn tobacco product
(e) HCFC - 22 based air conditioning equipment with cooling capacity under 50,000 BTU/hr
(f) Municipal solid waste
(g) E - Waste
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 system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The purposes of utilizing import licensing procedures are necessary to:
Import prohibited goods:
(a) Electrical and mechanical operating games to protect public morals and national security
(b) Goods by deceptive practice to protect intellectual property and national financial security
(c) Copyrights-infringing cassette tapes, audio, compact disc, video tapes, computer programs and books to protect intellectual property and national financial security
(d) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber (for cars, motorcycles, bicycles) to protect human life, public health and the environment
(e) Waste, parings and scrap of rubber of cars, buses/trucks, motorcycles and bicycles to protect human life, public health and the environment
(f) Bodies of used motor vehicles including cabs and chassis thereof, and frames of used motorcycles excluding those of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and forks and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches to protect human health and national security
(g) Used tractors excluding used road tractors for semi-trailers and used tractors for agricultural use to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(h) Used motor vehicles except used ambulances to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(i) Used antiques motor vehicles of an age over one hundred years to protect public safety and environmental conservation
(j) Ceramic food containers and metal-coated food containers to protect public health
(k) Used motorcycles to protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment
Absolutely prohibited goods:
(a) Household refrigerator, combined refrigerator-freezer utilizing CFC in the production process to protect public health and environment
(b) Used engines, parts and accessories of motorcycles of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches to protect human life or public health and safety
(c) Logs and sawn wood which are made of teak trees, rubber trees or forbidden trees from the border of Tak and Kanchanaburi provinces to prevent the illegal logging and conserve natural resources
(d) Baraku/Shisha, electronic cigarette and Baraku including Heat-not-burn tobacco product to protect public health, public morals and national security
(e) HCFC - 22 based air conditioning equipment with cooling capacity under 50,000 BTU/hr
To protect the environment, public health, human life and to comply with Montreal Protocol
(f) Municipal solid waste
To protect the environment, public health and human life
(g) E – Waste
To protect the environment, public health and human life
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),
Import prohibited goods:
(a) Electrical and mechanical operating games
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Importation of Game Machines into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2548 (2005) (dated 19 July 2005)
(b) Goods by deceptive practice.
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Exportation and Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2530 (1987) (dated 14 October 1987)
(c) Copyrights-infringing cassette tapes, audio, compact disc, video tapes, computer programs and books.
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Exportation and Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 94) B.E. 2536 (1993) (dated 21 April 1993)
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Exportation and Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 95) B.E. 2536 (1993) (No.95) (dated 21 April 1993)
(d) Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber (for cars, motorcycles, bicycles)
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)
(e) Waste, parings and scrap of rubber of cars, buses/trucks, motorcycles and bicycles
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)
(f) Bodies of used motor vehicles including cabs and chassis thereof, and frames of used motorcycles excluding those of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and forks and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of Used Motor Car Bodies and Used Motorcycle Frames into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2555 (2012) (dated 27 June 2012)
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of Used Motor Car Bodies and Used Motorcycle Frames into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 2) B.E. 2555 (2012) (dated 30 August 2012)
(g) Used tractors excluding used road tractors for semi-trailers and used tractors for agricultural use
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)
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 (No.2) B.E. 2562 (2019) (dated 4 December 2019)
(h) Used motor vehicles except used ambulances
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) Used antiques motor vehicles of an age over one hundred years
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)
(j) 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)
(k) Used motorcycles
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of Used Motorcycles into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2564 (2021) (dated 27 July 2021)
Absolutely prohibited goods:
(a) Household refrigerator, combined refrigerator-freezer utilizing CFC in the production process.
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of Refrigerators, Water Coolers, Coolers or Freezers which are Cooling or Freezing Products Using CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2549 (2006) (dated 13 March 2006)
(b) Used engines, parts and accessories of motorcycles of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and wheels with diameters not over 10 inches
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce on Importation of Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand (No. 129) B.E. 2541 (1998) (dated 9 September 1998)
(c) Logs and sawn wood which are made of teak trees, rubber trees or forbidden trees from the border of Tak and Kanchanaburi provinces
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Importation of Wood and Processed Wood including Artifacts, Appliances or any Articles Made of Wood into the Kingdom of Thailand along Tak Province and Kanchanaburi Province Borders B.E. 2548 (2005) (dated 29 November 2005)
(d) Baraku/Shisha, electronic cigarette and Baraku including Heat-not-burn tobacco product
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of Baraku and Electronic Baraku or Electronic Cigarettes into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2557 (2014) (dated 12 December 2014)
(e) HCFC - 22 based air conditioning equipment with cooling capacity under 50,000 BTU/hr
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import of HCFC - 22 based air conditioning equipment with cooling capacity under 50,000 BTU/hr into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2561 (2018) (dated 16 January 2018)
(f) Municipal solid waste
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Prohibition of Import into or transit through the Kingdom of Thailand of municipal waste B.E. 2562 (2019) (dated 29 May 2019)
(g) E – Waste
Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Import Prohibition of E – Waste into the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2563 (2020) (dated 11 August 2020)
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 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 import prohibit goods, some 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 prohibited goods 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.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which an application for importation of import prohibited goods may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
The duration of granting license depends on types of product.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The importation of prohibited goods is considered 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?
The importation of prohibited goods is considered 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?
Not applicable.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Not applicable.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The guarantee deposit or advance payment in term of a bank guarantee, associated with the issue of licence exists only in cases of temporary import of used vehicles.
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 control regulations.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons 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, depending 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 are also regulated by other 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?
Not applicable.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Not applicable.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Not applicable.
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.