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Business
in Thailand - Import
and Export Regulations
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There
are certain regulations governing the import and export
of goods into and out of Thailand. However, trade in
certain items is restricted through outright prohibition,
the imposition of duties or licensing requirements.
Thus, the export of unmilled rice and rice bran is expressly
prohibited. Other goods, such as rubber, timber, rice,
hides and skins, silk yarn, and iron scrap may be sold
to foreign buyers, but duties must be paid on them.
To export certain items, such as gold, cattle, or sugar,
one must secure a license from the relevant government
authorities.
Import
controls
The Ministry of Commerce designates classes of goods
that are subject to import controls, which usually take
the form of permission and licensing. Although these
controls are being liberalized, at present more than
50 classes of goods require import licenses from the
Ministry of Commerce. These categories are frequently
changed through notifications from the ministry. A license
to import any of the specified items must be secured
from the Ministry of Commerce. Application for the license
must be accompanies by a supplier's order, confirmation,
invoice, and other pertinent documents.
In
addition to the Act imposing the above controls, a number
of goods are subject to import controls under other
laws. These include:
::
The import of modern drugs requires prior licensing
from the Food and Drug Administration under the Ministry
of Health.
:: The
Minerals Act stipulates that without appropriate permission,
an importer is prohibited from importing tungsten
oxide and tin ores and metallic tin in quantities
exceeding two kilograms.
::
The Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and
National Museum Act provides that antiques or objects
of art, whether registered or not, must not be delivered
without permission from the Director General of Fine
Arts.
::
The Armation, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and
Imitation Firearms Act bars people from producing,
buying, using, ordering or importing armations or
ammunition or explosive devices unless they have the
appropriate license from the Ministry of Interior.
::
The Cosmetic Act stipulates that for the purpose of
protection of public health, any importer of controlled
cosmetics must provide the name and location of the
office and the place of manufacture or storage of
the cosmetics, the name category, or kind of cosmetics
to be imported, and the major components of the cosmetics.
Export
Controls
The Act Controlling the Importation and Exportation
of Goods authorizes the Ministry of Commerce to subject
products to export control. At present, close to 50
items require such control.
Certain
goods require export licenses under other laws, such
as seeds, trees, and leaves of tobacco. Certain goods,
such as sugar and rice, are subject to export licenses
under the Export Standard Act, which aims to ensure
that such exports are of the set quality.
Exporters
of agricultural commodities may find that membership
in trade associations is mandatory, and they may impose
their own regulations for membership.
For
more information, please do not hesitate to CONTACT
US.
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