Country market · entry brief

Exporting to Thailand

Thailand on the world map
ASEAN's manufacturing hub, with automotive and electronics as twin engines. Import demand is strong, certification is a mid-level hurdle, and buyers are price-sensitive. Best suited to components, sub-assemblies and EMS work — a hard market for high-premium brands.
Best fitComponents, sub-assemblies, EMS
Poor fitHigh-premium branded goods
Certification
Moderate
TISI mandatory for listed goods
Tariffs
Moderate
Avg MFN ~9%; 0% inside ATIGA
Payment risk
Low–moderate
T/T dominant; THB convertible
Logistics
Good
Laem Chabang hub; direct sailings
349.7bn USD
Total imports (2024)
2nd in ASEAN
World Bank WITS 2024
388.1bn USD
Total imports (2025)
≈ +11% YoY
World Bank WITS 2024
76%
Manufacturing share of industry
A genuine manufacturing economy
World Bank WDI 2025 vintage
7%
Import-stage VAT
Levied on CIF + duty
Thailand Revenue Department — standard VAT rate
~9.4%
Average applied MFN tariffverify
Confirm by HS line
WTO Tariff & Trade Data
71.6m
Population (2025)
4th largest in ASEAN
World Bank WDI 2025 vintage

1. Your category in Thailand

Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for Thailand: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.

42verified potential buyers in Thailand
Largest pools: Steel fibre 12 · Jewellery & accessories 10 · Hand-knitting yarn 5
Import scale and growth by HS line is not on this page yet. We are wiring the customs statistics for each category and will add them here; until then we quote the figures per enquiry rather than publish an estimate.

“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (14 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)

2. Entry gate

The first gate an exporter has to clear. Note the sequencing problem: TISI and FDA applications must be filed by an importer or local agent — so you need a local partner before you can start certifying.

RequirementStatusWhat it involvesLead timeCostLast verified
TISI certificationMandatory (listed goods)Thai Industrial Standards Institute approval; sample testing; application filed by the importer or a local agent4–8 weeksPendingPending
Thai FDA registrationMandatory (food / cosmetics / medical devices)Separate registration route; requires a local registration holder8–16 weeksPendingPending
Import licenceSelected goodsCertain controlled categories need a permit from the Ministry of Commerce2–6 weeksCategory-dependentPending
Tariff (MFN)Always appliesAverage applied MFN around 9.4%; machinery and electrical goods typically 0–10%. Rate must be confirmed line by line at HS-code level—On customs valuePending
Tariff (FTA / ATIGA)To claim the preference0% inside ATIGA, and under the ASEAN–China FTA, with a valid Form E certificate of origin3–5 daysPendingPending
VATAlways applies7% standard rate, charged on CIF plus duty at the point of import. Normally recoverable by the importer—7%2026-10
LabellingMandatoryThai-language label required: product name, ingredients or composition, importer details, country of origin. Some categories need prior notification1–3 weeks—Pending
Thailand is not a high-barrier market, but the filing order matters: certification must be initiated by a local importer or agent. Finding a partner comes before certifying, not after — that single fact should shape your entry sequence.

Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.

3. Buyers and channel partners

Leading buyers and channel partners

Every company below is a real business in Thailand taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.

1
PEC Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.Bangkok · Distributor / wholesaler
Telecom & backup batteries
2
AISTelecom operator
Telecom & backup batteries
3
Renew Technologies Co., Ltd.Bangkok · Distributor / wholesaler
Telecom & backup batteries

How to use this list: do not mass-mail. Thai business is relationship-led — an introduction through a trade fair or a local chamber converts far better than a cold email.

4. Demand and import profile

Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in Thailand — not the country's macro numbers.

Import size & growth

Example: Thailand imports roughly USD 1.8bn of this category a year, growing at a double-digit rate — faster than Thailand's overall import growth.

Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line

Source-country mix

Example: China is the largest source, ahead of Japan, Vietnam, Germany and Korea.

Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line

Price band

Example: the mid price band is where Chinese supply competes; the low band is held by regional producers.

Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data

What we can supply to this market

These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for Thailand. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.

PV inverters — Grid-tie and hybrid storage inverters, IP65, WiFi monitoring — supplied for TISI and grid-code conformity programmes Specifications
Portable power stations — 800–3500 W LiFePO4 units, 1–3 kWh — for outdoor, marine and backup demand Specifications
Power-loss regulating equipment — Three-phase, parallel-connected, 10–20% energy saving — for commercial and industrial sites Specifications
Battery and PV test instruments — Test and measurement lines for installation, commissioning and service — the accessory market that follows every certified install Specifications

5. Landed-cost calculator

A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.

Your shipment

Estimated landed cost

Goods value (FOB)—
Freight and insurance—
Customs value (CIF)—
Import duty—
VAT 7% (on CIF + duty)—
Clearance and local charges—
Certification (amortised)—
Landed cost—
Unit landed cost: — per unit. Duty rate is editable because the exact rate depends on your HS line — confirm it before quoting.

Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.

6. Logistics and customs

Main gateways: Laem Chabang (deep-sea container), Bangkok Port, Sattahip
South China direct sailings typically 5–8 days; East China 8–12 days
Typical clearance is fast at Laem Chabang, but confirm current days locally
Common hold-ups: non-compliant Thai labelling, certificate-of-origin mismatch, HS classification disputes
Rainy season (June–October) can delay port handling and inland transport

Clearance-day figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.

7. Payment, currency and tax

Dominant method: T/T, typically 30% deposit with 70% against copy of B/L
L/C at sight is workable for larger orders
Thai baht is freely convertible; exchange controls are relatively light
Run a credit check on first orders, or cover with export credit insurance
7% VAT is paid by the importer at import and is normally creditable

8. Localisation and communication

These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.

Time zone
GMT+7
One hour behind Beijing; working hours overlap
Working week
Mon–Fri
Same as China
Preferred channel
LINE
Far more effective than email; WhatsApp second
Business language
Thai / English
Negotiation in English is fine; end-user marketing must be Thai
Label language
Thai required
Name, composition, importer, origin
Units
Metric
No conversion issue
Thai buyers rarely say a flat no. “We will consider it” or “the price is a little high” usually means the offer is being declined. Do not keep pressing the same offer — re-quote with a different configuration, payment term or packing, and the deal often comes back.

9. Risks and timing

Medium
Currency — The baht has had wide swings in recent years. Hedge or invoice in USD on long-dated orders.
Medium
Competition — Chinese supply is already the largest source in many categories, so price competition is severe. Differentiate on specification band and lead time, not on price.
Low
Policy — Thai political cycles create noise, but trade and foreign-investment policy has stayed broadly continuous.
Medium
Seasonality — Rainy season (June–October) raises the odds of logistics delay — allow two extra weeks for production and booking.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a local importer to get TISI certification?

Yes. TISI applications are filed by the importer or a nominated local agent, not by the overseas manufacturer. This means finding a partner is the first step, not the last.

What is the import duty on my product?

The average applied MFN rate is around 9.4%, but the rate depends on the HS line and can range from 0% to well above the average. If your goods qualify under ATIGA or the ASEAN–China FTA and you hold a valid Form E, the preferential rate can be 0%. Always confirm the exact rate for your HS code.

How much is VAT on imports?

7%, charged on the CIF value plus duty. It is normally creditable for the importer.

Do labels have to be in Thai?

Yes for imported consumer goods. The label needs the product name, composition, importer details and country of origin, and some categories require prior notification.

What payment terms are normal?

T/T is dominant, usually 30% deposit and 70% against the copy B/L. L/C at sight is used for larger orders.

Which port should I ship to?

Laem Chabang handles most deep-sea container traffic and is the usual first choice, with Bangkok Port and Sattahip as alternatives depending on destination and cargo type.

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Tell us what you want to sell into Thailand

Send your product, target quantity and destination port. We check the entry requirements, match potential buyers and work out the landed cost. We reply within one business day (GMT+7 business hours).

Enquiry form

The more specific you are, the faster and more accurate our answer