Thailand’s Export Procedures – International Law

Thailand:

Thailand’s Export Procedures

All goods exported from Thailand are required to be reported to
the Customs Department and are subject to customs controls.

The steps for exporting goods from Thailand are as follows:

Step 1 – E-Customs system registration

Since 2007, Thailand’s export procedures have been
centralized into the online E-Customs system. To register for the
E-Customs system, the exporter must first obtain a “digital
certificate”. A digital certificate is an electronic signature
file used to confirm the identity of the sender of and the
authenticity of electronic documents.

Once a digital certificate is obtained, the exporter may then
register for the E-Customs system. A Company may choose to either
register with the system directly (i.e. at their own office) or by
using an agent. For the latter option, the agent will handle the
entire registration process.

When registering to use the E-Customs system directly, the
following steps are required:

• the E-Customs system software must be
  installed on the company’s IT system, and the digital
  certificates must be verified;




• the exporter must register with Thai
  Customs at one of the following places: The Registration and
  Customs Privileges Sub-Division; Customs Procedures and Valuation
  Standard Bureau; or the General Administration Division at each
  Customs office;




• the readiness and accuracy of message
  exchange with the E-Customs system must be tested;




• once tests have been completed, the
  Communication and IT Bureau will issue E-Customs registration ID,
  and the process is complete. If a company is both importing to and
  exporting from Thailand, only one registration on the E-Customs
  system is needed.

Step 2 – Review controlled goods

As with imports, checks must be made for goods requiring an
export permit and potential red line shipments.

Currently, around 50 categories of goods require an export
permit.

For red line goods, extra documentation is required before the
shipment is permitted to leave Thailand. The E-Customs system will
flag red line goods in Step 3. The exporter should prepare the
following:

• Invoice




• Export License (if required)




• Other relevant documents (e.g. Food
  and Drug Administration approval, proof of origin, etc.)

Step 3 – Declaration Submission and verification

The exporter must submit an Export Declaration, along with an
invoice and cargo data to the E-Customs system. Provided no errors
arise, the system will issue declaration and payment numbers and
define whether the shipment is considered green line or red
line.

Step 4 – Payment of duties and taxes

There are three ways export duties may be paid: payment at the
Customs Department of the port of exit; E-Payment via the E-Customs
system; and payment made from banks.

Step 5 – Inspection and release of cargo

The freight forwarder must send a cargo control report to the
E-Customs system. The system will then automatically generate a
report and alert the customs officials whether the goods are a
green or red line. Green line goods are clear to proceed without a
physical inspection, while redline goods, as with imports, require
physical inspections and extra document checks before they can be
cleared.

Finally, once the shipment arrives, it is the shipping company
or agent’s responsibility to submit the manifest information to
the E-Customs system.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

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