Thailand Business Guide - UK Trade & Investment

BUSINESS ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS
REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED)
Customs documentation
When goods arrive in or leave Thailand
the importer/exporter is required to file
a goods declaration and supporting
documents to Customs to enable cargo
clearance. To speed up and facilitate the
flow and movement of legitimate cargo
the Thai Customs Department provides two
clearance systems: manual and electronic
data interchange (EDI).
The procedure works as follows:
1. Importer/exporter files a goods
declaration (Customs Form No. 101
or No. 101/1).
2. Importer/exporter prepares the following
supporting documents:
• Invoice
• Packing list
• Foreign transaction form if the
free on board (FOB) value exceeds
500,000 baht
• Export/import licence (if applicable)
• Other relevant documents (if applicable)
3. Customs checks the declaration and
supporting documents.
4. Customs collects export duties and taxes.
5. Customs inspects and releases cargo.
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Labelling and packaging
The labelling of products in Thailand is
regulated by the Consumer Protection Act
BE 2522 (1979), which is administered by
the Consumer Protection Committee (CPC).
The CPC in turn delegates its authority to
individual committees on advertising, labels
and contracts.
Generally, goods that are manufactured
(by the factories covered by the law
on factories and goods) and ordered
or imported into Thailand for sale are
designated as label-controlled goods.
However, the Committee on Labels also
has the power to designate the following
goods as controlled for the purpose
of labelling:
1. Goods whose nature or usage may
endanger physical or mental health.
2. Goods that are regularly used by the
public and where labelling would benefit.
Labels on controlled goods must contain
truthful statements. They must not include
any statements which could lead to
misunderstanding as to the material facts
concerning the goods in question.
They must also feature:
• The name or trademark of the
manufacturer or importer.