Did you know Thai custom procedures now require every FDA-regulated shipment to be processed through a fully digital portal, with immediate effect from January 2025?

For business owners, importers, and logistics professionals, missing a single digital document or misclassifying an item’s HS code can halt your goods at the border sometimes for days, not just hours.

Thai customs regulation updates 2025

This guide breaks down the latest procedures, digital submission rules, and practical steps you need for swift clearance, every time.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital customs submission is now mandatory via the Thai National Single Window (NSW) for all FDA-regulated imports and exports in 2025, enabling faster, more transparent processing.
  • Accurate HS code classification and License Per Invoice (LPI) are critical for every regulated shipment, as errors trigger immediate holds, fines, or shipment delays.
  • Plastic waste imports are fully banned from January 2025, requiring businesses to review environmental compliance and update shipping practices accordingly.
  • Electronic documentation, including commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and licenses, is required for both imports and exports, with digital-only submissions replacing physical paperwork.
  • Importers and exporters must calculate duties and taxes using the correct HS code and CIF value, with VAT set at 7% and potential exemptions for FTA-eligible goods (such as under ASEAN agreements).
  • FDA-regulated goods demand electronic licenses and itemized digital lists; unmatched or missing documents can extend clearance times beyond 24 hours.
  • Enhanced customs surveillance and frequent audits in 2025 mean businesses must implement self-audit checklists and digital compliance workflows to avoid penalties.
  • Strict licensing applies to restricted or prohibited goods, with real-time enforcement and frequent updates to Thailand’s controlled goods lists, reference official government sources before each shipment.

Thai Customs Procedures & 2025 Updates

Thai customs procedures for 2025 are now fully digital, with mandatory use of the Thai National Single Window (NSW) for all FDA-regulated items, streamlining the process for imports and exports.

Key 2025 Regulatory Changes

2025 brings several major updates:

  • All customs documentation for regulated goods must be submitted electronically via the NSW.
  • Importers/exporters of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, supplements, cosmetics, and hazardous substances have a legal obligation to classify products using accurate HS codes and secure a License per Invoice (LPI) tied to each declaration.
  • A ban on plastic waste imports begins January 2025, impacting shipping decisions and environmental compliance.
  • Expanded penalties and shorter review timelines require precise digital submissions.

NSW Platform & Digital Integration

The Thai NSW unifies:

  • Electronic submission of forms, licenses, and itemized reports to all relevant agencies.
  • Real-time validation linking Thai Customs, the FDA, and other ministries.
  • Direct tracking of health products through FDA licensing embedded with LPI and customs codes.

Accurate product classification and timely use of digital tools are essential for every shipment in 2025. For up-to-date requirements, visit the Thai Customs Department or Thai FDA official sites. Efficient digital compliance is now the key to hassle-free cross-border trade.

Import Procedures in Thailand

Navigating Thai customs requires precise sequencing of documentation and compliance from pre-arrival to cargo release. Shipments that miss a key step or document risk immediate inspection, delay, or fines.

Importers should follow a defined process:

  • Pre-arrival: Register with the Thai National Single Window (NSW) and prepare all digital documents
  • Arrival: Submit customs declaration, entry form, and required supporting documents promptly
  • Customs review: Await automated risk assessment or notification for physical inspection
  • Release: Confirm duty and tax payment, and receive goods clearance

Consistent use of accurate HS codes and LPI (License per Invoice) is now critical for all shipments.

One missing document can pause your entire supply chain in 2025, accuracy is now non-negotiable.

Required Import Documents

Prepare a full, error-free set of documents for every import:

  • Commercial invoice
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Packing list
  • Certificate of Origin (C/O), if applicable
  • Import license or relevant permits (including FDA LPI for regulated goods)
  • Accurate HS code declarations

FDA-regulated imports require:

  • Electronic FDA license
  • Digital, itemized product list matching customs entries
  • Pre-clearance endorsement via the Thai NSW

General cargo must also comply with the latest Thai Customs Required Documents checklist, which is updated for 2025.

Preparing for Customs Inspection

Inspections may be:

  • Random: Routine on low-risk shipments
  • Targeted: Triggered by incomplete forms, high-value items, or red-flag goods

Best practices:

  • Pre-submit all supporting documents digitally
  • Keep clear digital copies of compliance evidence
  • Review each entry for HS code and product-match accuracy

A clean electronic record means most goods clear in under 24 hours, but errors increase hold times and costs. Taking extra care with digital submissions now drives faster approvals and reduced operational risks.

Staying current with documentation standards and using the NSW platform for electronic uploads dramatically reduces shipment delays and ensures compliance with Thai custom procedures throughout 2025.

Export Procedures & Compliance Tips

Navigating Thai custom procedures for exports in 2025 means using electronic documentation, securing appropriate licenses, and following enhanced monitoring standards.

Key steps for all exporters include:

  • Register with the Thai National Single Window (NSW) for digital submission
  • Complete the export declaration via the e-Customs system
  • Attach all supporting documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and export license (if applicable)
  • Secure a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O) for tariff benefits, with updated rules for US-bound shipments now requiring approval from the Department of Foreign Trade

Common compliance checks cover destination country regulations and any special labeling or product certificates.

Export Documents & Steps

Essential export documents now include:

  • Digital export declaration (via NSW/e-Customs)
  • Commercial invoice and packing list
  • Certificate of Origin (C/O), with new digital verification for high-risk or controlled goods
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Export license, especially for gold, antiques, and FDA-regulated goods

Missing documents or incorrect HS code entry can result in shipment holds or fines.

Managing Export Controls & Penalties

For high-risk exports:

  • Monitor enhanced customs surveillance using unique identifiers and tariff code validation
  • Implement a self-audit checklist prior to export: match shipment data to licenses, confirm product origin, verify all digital filings
  • Stay alert to “fake Thai” origin enforcement and intensified customs audits, particularly for US or EU-bound goods

Exporters can picture a single point of digital clearance, every step, from licensing to shipment release, occurs via the NSW’s secured online portal. A streamlined process means lower risk, faster approvals, and fewer disruptions to your global business.

Customs Duties, Taxes & Valuation 2025

All importers and exporters in Thailand for 2025 must prepare for several customs-related financial obligations: import duties, VAT (7%), excise taxes, and special customs fees.

Import and duty taxes are calculated from the CIF value, which is the sum of the cost, insurance, and freight.

Common fiscal obligations include:

  • Import duties: Percentage set by tariff schedule, based on HS code
  • VAT: 7% applied to the total customs value
  • Excise tax: Applies to selected goods (such as alcohol, vehicles, or tobacco)
  • Special fees: May apply for select sectors or services

Quick facts: The correct HS code is crucial, as it determines duty rates and eligibility for exemptions or preferential rates.

Calculating Duties & Exemptions

Start with verifying the product’s HS code using the Thai Customs Tariff Database.

Calculation steps:

  1. Multiply the declared CIF value by the tariff rate to find import duties
  2. Add VAT (7%) and, if needed, any excise or environmental taxes
  3. Use FTA rules to check for exemptions (for example, under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

Notable exemptions regularly affect:

  • Machinery and raw materials for manufacturing
  • FTA-eligible goods, if accompanied by required Certificates of Origin
  • Some health, pharmaceutical, or renewable energy products

Take advantage of FTA exemptions for significant savings on qualifying imports.

Valuation Rules & Refunds

Thai Customs uses the transaction value method: the actual price paid or payable for goods.

Key valuation documentation:

  • Sales contract or invoice
  • Freight and insurance certificates
  • Proof of payment

Refunds for overpaid duties now allow claims within three years, a new extension for 2025.

Common valuation pitfalls include:

  • Incorrect CIF calculations
  • Omitting secondary costs (freight, insurance)
  • Misclassification of HS codes

Underdeclare, and face delays. Overpay, and rely on the three-year customs refund window.

Clear cost calculations and diligent documentation remain your strongest tools for efficient, penalty-free clearance through Thai custom procedures.

Restricted Goods & Licensing Rules

Importers and exporters in Thailand must understand that strict rules apply to restricted, prohibited, or controlled goods in 2025. Failure to comply with the latest regulations may result in shipment holds, fines, or permanent removal of trading privileges.

Common restricted or prohibited categories include:

  • Narcotics and controlled drugs
  • Hazardous chemicals and substances
  • Counterfeit items or pirated goods
  • Gold, precious metals, and antiques
  • Live animals, wildlife, and animal products
  • FDA-regulated health products (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food supplements)

Each category may require one or more of the following:

  • Special licenses and health certificates
  • Approval from multiple ministries, such as Commerce, Agriculture, and Public Health
  • HS code classification and a License per Invoice (LPI) for controlled health products

Licensing, Enforcement & Digital Checks

Enforcement in 2025 leverages electronic validation via the Thai National Single Window (NSW), with real-time checks against the Controlled Goods Database.

  • All FDA-regulated items must be itemized, classified, and backed by a valid LPI before customs release.
  • Prohibited item listings are updated frequently, reference the Prohibited and Restricted Goods List for cross-border alignment.

Proactive Compliance Practices

To remain compliant as Thai custom procedures evolve in 2025:

  • Integrate quarterly risk reviews based on updated ministry lists.
  • Automate document verification and license expiry checks within your workflow.
  • Cross-reference a proprietary compliance checklist aligned with new digital LPI and inspection rules.
  • Regularly update internal protocols to match the latest regulatory database.

Compliance begins before shipment, inspections and digital licenses now move faster, but so do penalties for errors.

FAQ: Thai Customs 2025

The most significant update for 2025 is the mandatory use of the Thai National Single Window (NSW) for most customs transactions, including all FDA-regulated imports and exports. Electronic document submission, automated licensing, and item classification now happen entirely through the NSW.

What happens if import/export documents are missing or incorrect?

Improper customs declaration or missing required documents can cause:

  • Immediate shipment delays
  • Monetary fines (often calculated per incident)
  • Legal prosecution under Thai law
  • Permanent suspension of import/export privileges

As of June 1, 2025, strict enforcement is in effect, but businesses can access transitional support such as training and digital onboarding for NSW compliance.

How to check if goods are restricted or need a license?

To check if your goods are restricted or subject to licensing:

  • Review the Thai Customs Controlled Goods Database
  • Consult the relevant government ministry for sector-specific updates
  • Stay current on new LPI (License per Invoice) mandates and HS code classification rules

A product like a pharmaceutical or health supplement now requires electronic pre-clearance and a valid FDA license before customs approval.

Staying current with NSW and licensing regulations is the clearest path to smooth, compliant customs clearance.

Conclusion

You can act now by reviewing your current customs workflows, ensuring every shipment is classified with the correct HS code, integrating real-time digital compliance checks, and scheduling quarterly regulatory reviews to stay ahead.

Contact us to gain expert support at every stage of your import or export process, from digital license setup to tailored compliance audits. Themis Partner makes Thai customs clear, efficient, and manageable so your business moves forward with confidence.