1. Import cargo

Thailand's principal imports are capital equipment, raw materials and intermediate products.

According to the Controlling importation and exportation of Goods Act of B.E.2522, the Ministry of Commerce has the authority to designate classes of goods as being subject to imnport controls in the form of license requirements.

Import licenses are usually required only for goods considered to be in direct competition with domestic products.

Such as certain kinds of food, metals and menerals, textiles, apparel, paper products, plywood, fiberboard and some household articles. There are currently 45 classes of controlled goods.

The importation of the goods as listed by Ministry of Commerce requires an application for an import license together with a supplier order, confirmation of the order and an invoice. An import license will usually be issued of a certain period of time, rather than for a singloe shipment. There are in addition, a number of goods which are not controls under other laws and regulations. In such cases, the approval or consent of the relevant authorities must be obtained.

The importing goods to Thailand is also subject to Exchange controls

Import transactions require exchange control approval. The procedures differ according to the method of payment. Most payments for imports may be approved by authrized banks upon submission of documens such as invoices, collection bills and import perits. A certificates of payment from an authorized bank or the bank of Thailand, as the case may be, is required before the Customs Department will clear imported goods. This certificate of payment is required to check every payment for imports, which result in goods being brought into the country.

Customs Declaration Tiem Frame : 24 hours prior to vessel arrival (hardcopy).

Customer Information.

Shipper, Consingee, Notify Party - Full name and address

Cargo Details
Piece count, weight, measurement, commodity, package, status mode, cargo marks.  Full unit description is required. Following unit descriptions are not acceptable by Thai Customs :

- Container, IBC

- Cackage (except mixing of units in a shipment i.e. crates, bags or piece)

- Non-descriptive package - i.e. customs DO accept only bag, crates, case, etc. BUT DO NOT accept plastic bag, wooden crates, steel case, etc.

 - Specified cargo weights per item and total

Container Details:
- Container no., seal no., type and quantity in each container.

- Status of movement (CY/CY, CY/CFS, etc.)

Port of Discharge/Place of Delivery:
- Manifest is broken down by port of discharge and place of delivery, together with separated summary cover. Customs at discharge port must physically compare cargo with the manifest before releasing to each place of delivery.

- ‘Bangkok’ can be applicable for all place of deliveries, but must state port of discharge. eg. ‘Laem Chabang’ if the place of delivery is at the discharge port.

- Local Charges : Nil statutory charges.

Other Manifest Details:

- Broken down inbound container list for all container nos. (including empty), as well as the manifest, must be provided in terms of bond cargo declaration.

Special Local Handling
Transhipments :
  - Final destination port must be shown.

Partial Shipments:
  - Correct splitted B/L data must be provided to OTL, especially correct vsl/voy, container number, packages, gross weight & notify party

Customs Penalty
- Port Authority Penalty
  a. Late submission of manifest              5,000 THB.
  b. Late submission for D.G. cargo        10,000 THB.

- Customs Penalty
  All amendment after submission 1,000 - 10, 000 THB/violation

2. Export cargo

Thailand's chief exports are rice, sugar, corn and other agricultural products. Certain items, principally food staples, such as rice and sugar, are reserved by law to ensure that domestic needs are met first before exports can be permitted.

Therefore, certain kinds of goods require an export license according to the Export Standard Act (No.2) of B.E.2522, adminstered by the commodity standards office of the Ministry of Commerce. Together with some other laws, this Act aims to control the quality of companies. In addition, rice is subject to an export tax at rate prescribed by the Ministry of Commerce.

3. Restriction for Dangerous goods

Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) regulation for dangerous goods (DG) restriction in the port area as follows: DG which can not be loaded/discharged in port or stowed on board during vsl stay in port.

• Class 1 (Explosive)
• Class 7 (Radioactive material)

Only DG anchorage area acceptable with special permission. Load/discharge can be done after/before vessel alongside port. DG which can be loaded/discharged in port separate into 2 groups as follows:

• Class A: DG can be loaded/discharged. Shipper/consignee must arrange direct delivery to load to the vessel or arrange direct dray it out from the port area. (Store in port strictly prohibited). Shipper/consignee have to clear all documents/taxes/handling/storage with CUSTOM and PAT before loading/discharging
   
• Class 2.3 (Poisonous Gas) all commodities
• Class 3.1 (Flammable Liquids) all commodities
• Class 3.2 (Flammable Liquids) all commodities
• Class 4.1 (Flammable Solids) some commodities as follows:

• Class 4.2 (Spontaneously combustible) some as follows:

• Class 4.3 (Dangerous when wet) all commodities.
• Class 5.1 (Oxidizing Agents) all commodities.
• Class 5.2 (Organic Peroxides) all commodities.
• Class 6.1 (Poisons) all commodities.
• Class 6.2 (Infectious Substances) all commodities.
• Class 8 (Corrosive) some commodities as follows:

• Class B: DG which can be discharged and stored inside port area with freeday storage 1 day and maximum PAT allow store inside port only 5 days.
  Commodities : All commodities except the above mentioned DG.
   
• Road limitation - 37.5 K/tons (Including trailer, container and cargo)
   
• Maximum cargo weight - 25 K/tons per 40', and 22 K/tons per 20'

For further inquiries please contact Kanlaya Raksasat.