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Target Industries Customs Clearance Procedures

Customs Clearance Procedures

1. The Goods Transport Process

This is the process for transporting goods across the border, which must pass through the Customs Department's inspection measures under various legal procedures. It is divided into land procedures, sea procedures, air procedures, and import/export procedures that facilitate MICE industry organizers.

2. Download the Registration Application Form

Operators wishing to proceed with the electronic customs process must register as a customs formality operator.

Electronic Customs Formality Operator Registration Form (Application Form No. 1)

Or download it from the Customs Department website www.customs.go.th under Operators > Registering as an Import/Export Operator > Application Forms/Attachments > Electronic Customs Formality Operator Registration Form (Application Form No. 1)

Good to Know

Good to Know

For government agencies, state enterprises, embassies, charitable organizations, or other organizations without a taxpayer identification number, the application form must be submitted in person at the Import-Export Registration Division, Registration and Privileges Section, Customs Standard Procedures and Valuation Bureau, Customs Department only.

3. Prepare Identification Documents

For the authorized representative of the importer, exporter, transit-goods carrier, or transshipment applicant, whether a juristic person or an individual, to carry out electronic customs procedures.

Identification evidence of the authorized signatory that must be presented to the officer:

  1. National ID card, or government official ID card
  2. Passport
  3. Driving license
  4. If none of the documents in items 1-4 can be presented, a copy of the national ID card may be used instead, certified by a Notarial Services Attorney (issued no more than 1 month prior), together with a copy of that attorney's certificate of registration, certified as a true copy by the same attorney.
  1. Passport
  2. Alien registration certificate
  3. If neither document in item 1 or 2 can be presented, a copy of the passport or a copy of the alien registration certificate may be used, certified either (1) by a reliable Notary Public or the embassy of that person's nationality (issued no more than 6 months prior), or (2) by a Notarial Services Attorney (issued no more than 1 month prior), together with a copy of that attorney's certificate of registration, certified as a true copy by the same attorney.

Customs Broker

The authorized representative of the importer, exporter, transit-goods carrier, or transshipment applicant, whether a juristic person or an individual, for carrying out electronic customs procedures.

2 Types of Customs Broker

  1. General Customs Broker: a person who applies for a license to act as a customs broker with the Customs Department.
  2. Authorized Economic Operator (AEO): a general customs broker with elevated cargo-security standards and greater global competitiveness, able to carry out customs procedures quickly and with special customs privileges.

Completing the Application Form and Submitted Documents

  • When crossing out a copy of a document, write "For Customs Department use only."
  • Sign the application form only in the designated signature box.
  • Fill out the application set using either handwriting or typing only, not both — if filled by hand, the whole set must be in the same handwriting.
  • Do not stamp the company/agency seal over the signature.
  • Use blue ink to hand-write and sign the application form.
  • When submitting "official documents" with the application, the Customs Department will notify the issuing agency to send the data or copies of the official documents to support the application, unless the applicant wishes to present those official documents to the officer in person.

4. Submit the Registration Application

Operators who wish to proceed may submit the registration application in 2 ways.

1. Submit Online

Submit the application for a license/renewal as an electronic customs formality broker on the Customs Department website www.customs.go.th

2. Submit in Person

  • Import-Export Registration Division, Registration and Privileges Section, Customs Standard Procedures and Valuation Bureau
  • General Administration Division
  • Any agency of a Customs House or Customs Checkpoint authorized to accept registrations

5. Look Up the Customs Tariff

These days importing goods from abroad isn't as complicated as it may seem, once you know a bit about the customs tariff. Here are a few quick pointers and channels for finding more information.

What Is the Customs Tariff, or HS CODE (Harmonized System)?

  • An international system for classifying goods.
  • Represents the meaning of goods in each category.
  • Used to check import/export tax collection between countries.
  • Used to classify goods into 21 sections and 97 chapters, on the Customs Department website www.customs.go.th

How to Read an HS Code

  • The customs tariff number has 11 digits.
  • The first digits are set by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
  • The next 2 digits represent the ASEAN tariff code (CEPT Code).
  • The last 3 digits are a statistical code set by each country.

Why Does the HS Code Matter?

  • Used to determine both import and export tax rates.
  • Knowing the correct HS Code identifies the type/category of goods for calculating tax, and can be used to claim FTA tax benefits between countries.
  • Used to factor tax into cost calculations to avoid trading at a loss.

Check the Tariff Rate for Each Type of Goods At

Related Agency

Customs Department
Customs Department, 1 Sunthornkosa Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
Hotline: 1164
Phone: 0-2667-7000 ext. 20-5144
Email: saraban@customs.go.th
Website: https://www.customs.go.th/

Click to Search by Tariff Code