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Thailand Enforces Tax on All Imported Online Goods

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c1_3167365_260102111259_1200.webp

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Thailand has implemented a new tax policy on all imported goods purchased online, eliminating a previous exemption for products under 1,500 baht. This change aims to create fair competition between local and imported goods. Applicable import duties and VAT will now apply from the first baht of a product’s value. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana stated that this measure will reduce price disparities that disadvantage local businesses, particularly SMEs.

Previously, many imported items entered Thailand without tax, causing local businesses to face unfair competition. Over 97% of online goods already have tax included in their prices on major platforms, simplifying the buying process for consumers. The government has collaborated with platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and Temu to enhance the screening of imported products, ensuring compliance with Thai standards.

Some price increases, especially in fashion and clothing, are anticipated due to the new tax regulations. As a result, these products may rise in cost by 20–30%. However, the policy is projected to generate approximately 3 billion baht in additional revenue, addressing the issue of previously untaxed imports that amounted to around 30 billion baht last year.

Looking forward, the Customs Department will focus on ensuring that all imported goods adhere to Thai Industrial Standards and are free of illegal items, such as e-cigarettes. This initiative is part of Thailand's broader strategy to maintain fair trade practices and boost the economy by regulating the import sector more effectively, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

  • Thailand ends the tax exemption on imported goods under 1,500 baht.

  • The move aims to benefit local businesses and meet legal standards.

  • Approximately 3 billion baht in additional revenue is expected.

Related Stories

Thailand to Slap Import Duties on All Low‑Value Online Goods

Thailand’s AI Watchdog Cracks Down on Dangerous Online Goods

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-02

 

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  • Replies 41
  • Views 4.1k
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  • dinsdale
    dinsdale

    Chinese crap just got a bit more expensive.

  • Ralf001
    Ralf001

    Fair play , I seee no issue.

  • NorthernRyland
    NorthernRyland

    Bull<deleted>. Government just wants more of our money as usual.

Posted Images

You think that's bad, they want $109 (USD) import charge to send my new eGPU here via Amazon.

  • Popular Post

Fair play , I seee no issue.

  • Popular Post

Chinese crap just got a bit more expensive.

  • Popular Post
2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

3 billion baht in additional revenue

So where does that go ?

To the SMEs ?

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Chinese crap just got a bit more expensive.

I bet 70% of the stuff for sale in Thailand comes straight from China.....

So that cheap stuff just got more expensive...

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Fair play , I seee no issue.

Thumbs down.

  • Popular Post
3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This change aims to create fair competition between local and imported goods.

Bull<deleted>. Government just wants more of our money as usual.

  • Popular Post

You guys want to know how much prices have gone up...2 weeks ago I bought 3 pairs of shorts on Lazada shipped from China for 350 baht each...Now the exact same shorts from the same seller now cost 450 baht each....A 28% increase overnight...

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35 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Bull<deleted>. Government just wants more of our money as usual.

Ok. Why shouldn't the government administer the tax fairly? Legitimate local businesses have to pay the tax. What is your justification for their having to pay, but foreign entities don't?

And for context sake, what's the value of the items you purchased that are now going to be taxed?

  • Popular Post
42 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Ok. Why shouldn't the government administer the tax fairly? Legitimate local businesses have to pay the tax. What is your justification for their having to pay, but foreign entities don't?

And for context sake, what's the value of the items you purchased that are now going to be taxed?

The products that come from China don't exist in Thailand. It's the same as with Trump's tariffs. All this will do is transfer money from consumers to the government.

There's no objective right or wrong here, it's just choosing winners and losers. The reason I'm opposed to the government is because they have a special monopoly where they can simply decide who pays what.

What I would be in favor of is to identity specific items which are produced in Thailand and then tax only those items.

16 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Chinese crap just got a bit more expensive.

Thai importers of said sub-standard goods will just pass the cost on to the end customers

  • Popular Post
18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand has implemented a new tax policy on all imported goods purchased online, eliminating a previous exemption for products under 1,500 baht. This change aims to create fair competition between local and imported goods.

Actually the tax exempts the deductions meant to protect the poorest members of society, and instead puts them in the crosshairs of regressive taxation. Screw the plebs, 'eh?

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Applicable import duties and VAT will now apply from the first baht of a product’s value.

From the first Baht?

Thailand Customs will collapse!

Over 97% of online goods already have tax included in their prices on major platforms, simplifying the buying process for consumers.

No, this is only VAT 7% on imported goods what is actually prepaid by the seller. It doesn't include Imports Tax!

This government is so greedy. They are now arbitrarily taxing things without even knowing what's inside. It happened to me the other day. It's ridiculous.

I lost the time line. Did trump copy Thailand (doing away with the tax free $800 value Americans could bring in) or did Thailand copy trump in reaching for increased revenue?

I ordered some books from Amazon US scheduled to arrive in January, but they did not include the 7% charge, even though in the past they did include provisions for customs duties on items other than books. So how are books supposed to be handled now?

17 hours ago, redwood1 said:

I bet 70% of the stuff for sale in Thailand comes straight from China.....

So that cheap stuff just got more expensive...

The same cheap stuff has always been more expensive.

I only do Lazada and on there you see the same goods coming from somewhere like Bangkok or from overseas, one takes 1/2 days and the other 1/2 weeks. The short delivery is invariably more expensive as more than likely the retailer has bought in excess of 1500 baht and already paid the duty.

Of course many will use the confusion created by social media to jack up the prices.

Last week I wanted a mini chain saw to fit my trimmer extension. Looked to me it would be 759 baht with free shipping, asked my wife and she got it for 507 baht, came the next day. The duty becomes insignificant compared to some of the discounts available.

3 hours ago, placnx said:

I ordered some books from Amazon US scheduled to arrive in January, but they did not include the 7% charge, even though in the past they did include provisions for customs duties on items other than books. So how are books supposed to be handled now?

All free on Z library, no need to buy books ever again.

As for taxing all imports, I'm thinking Thailand will quietly forget to tax stuff from China.

It's not clear how this tax will be collected. I have received the odd postal item and been invited to the local Tax Office to pay fees for them. Usually less than 50 baht. If this is going to happen it will certainly slow down delivery. I can't imagine a Chinese supplier working through the Thai Tax book and assessing each item sold, then collecting the funds and remitting them to Thailand ?

If you have to complain about the cost of goods in Thailand, might be time to return to your home country.

Unbeknownst to me, several products I had ordered from America 3 weeks ago and paid a high shipping cost to ship to Thailand were hit by this new import tax. The items were primarily clothing items ordered from Amazon, which are not available in Thailand. I also ordered some herbal pills I have periodically shipped to Thailand over the past 5 years without any issue until now. They were all shipped via FedEx, and releasing them required going to the free zone near Suvarnabhumi Airport and registering as an importer, even though the items were for personal use and valued at less than 200 US dollars. Once that was done, I had to wait another 10 days before they were released from customs. When FedEx arrived, I had to pay an additional 6000 baht Thai customs fee to release them, so I had to pay the original product cost, shipping cost and the full product cost again. Even though I've been doing this for years, it fortunately isn't something I need to do, so I won't repeat the process given these new fees and procedures.

Communicating with the Fedex staff in Thailand was complicated as information was passed from one department to another several times which may have contributed to the 10 day delay.image.pngimage.png

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, the policy is projected to generate approximately 3 billion baht in additional revenue

This government seems desperate for money and they are turning to the poorer parts of society to collect. There is this, plus:
-- the Bank of Thailand director talking about getting everyone filing taxes
-- The tax department reviewing small business QR payment receipts and clamping down on underreporting

All this just hurts the poor.

27 minutes ago, wasabi said:

Unbeknownst to me, several products I had ordered from America 3 weeks ago and paid a high shipping cost to ship to Thailand were hit by this new import tax. The items were primarily clothing items ordered from Amazon, which are not available in Thailand. I also ordered some herbal pills I have periodically shipped to Thailand over the past 5 years without any issue until now. They were all shipped via FedEx, and releasing them required going to the free zone near Suvarnabhumi Airport and registering as an importer, even though the items were for personal use and valued at less than 200 US dollars. Once that was done, I had to wait another 10 days before they were released from customs. When FedEx arrived, I had to pay an additional 6000 baht Thai customs fee to release them, so I had to pay the original product cost, shipping cost and the full product cost again. Even though I've been doing this for years, it fortunately isn't something I need to do, so I won't repeat the process given these new fees and procedures.

Communicating with the Fedex staff in Thailand was complicated as information was passed from one department to another several times which may have contributed to the 10 day delay.image.pngimage.png

I've ordered hundreds of times via Amazon, the import charges are applied during checkout. Do your packages not have import charges applied when you purchase?

27 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

I've ordered hundreds of times via Amazon, the import charges are applied during checkout. Do your packages not have import charges applied when you purchase?

These items were sent to my US mailbox then sent to Thailand. I've done it this way for years but perhaps there is a better way?

So, where can I buy locally made counterfeit crap that I buy on Lazada?

This is nothing to do with leveling the playing field. It's pure money grab.

I hope Trump rips Thailand on tariffs and import duties.

Motorcycle parts last week, via Amazon, were free delivery, and 60% import charges...

The same absurd rules that Europe is trying to implement in vain. The smart chinese saw it comming ages ago and have already set up their XXL warehouses all over Europe as to dodge the tax on arrival at the buyer's expense. Let's hope that these new rules will not give ground for airport customs to start harassing tourists comming in as to extort tax on anything ?

39 minutes ago, wasabi said:

These items were sent to my US mailbox then sent to Thailand. I've done it this way for years but perhaps there is a better way?

I wouldn't call it better, they (Amazon) severely restrict what you can purchase or send to Thailand. Sometimes there are some deals, or items I just can't get here, that make it the preferred method. I used to do what you are doing, but Thailand was stopping all my packages and imposing customs fees based on weight, and forcing me to make a trip every time it happened. It got to the point that I only purchase direct to me shipments from Amazon, or deals I can find on Lazada. As far as clothes, I pick them up when I fly home, and stuff my bags with news clothes to bring back here.

On 1/2/2026 at 6:23 PM, snoop1130 said:

c1_3167365_260102111259_1200.webp

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Thailand has implemented a new tax policy on all imported goods purchased online, eliminating a previous exemption for products under 1,500 baht. This change aims to create fair competition between local and imported goods. Applicable import duties and VAT will now apply from the first baht of a product’s value. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana stated that this measure will reduce price disparities that disadvantage local businesses, particularly SMEs.

Previously, many imported items entered Thailand without tax, causing local businesses to face unfair competition. Over 97% of online goods already have tax included in their prices on major platforms, simplifying the buying process for consumers. The government has collaborated with platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and Temu to enhance the screening of imported products, ensuring compliance with Thai standards.

Some price increases, especially in fashion and clothing, are anticipated due to the new tax regulations. As a result, these products may rise in cost by 20–30%. However, the policy is projected to generate approximately 3 billion baht in additional revenue, addressing the issue of previously untaxed imports that amounted to around 30 billion baht last year.

Looking forward, the Customs Department will focus on ensuring that all imported goods adhere to Thai Industrial Standards and are free of illegal items, such as e-cigarettes. This initiative is part of Thailand's broader strategy to maintain fair trade practices and boost the economy by regulating the import sector more effectively, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

  • Thailand ends the tax exemption on imported goods under 1,500 baht.

  • The move aims to benefit local businesses and meet legal standards.

  • Approximately 3 billion baht in additional revenue is expected.

Related Stories

Thailand to Slap Import Duties on All Low‑Value Online Goods

Thailand’s AI Watchdog Cracks Down on Dangerous Online Goods

image.png  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-02

 

image.png

 

image.png

Such a bad idea. I can see that on goods that are being made here but, how can you tax something that is not made here unless the greedy government is going broke and wants money from anyone and everyone.

Lazada and Temu will shut down operations in Thailand ??🤣

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