PUBLISHED : 2 Jan 2026 at 01:01
Thailand yesterday began collecting taxes on all imported goods bought online, a move the government says will create “a level playing field” between local and imported cheap products.
Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said the measure ends a long-standing tax exemption on goods valued at under 1,500 baht purchased directly from overseas vendors via e-commerce platforms.
From now on, all applicable import duties and value-added tax (VAT) will apply to the very first baht of a product’s value, she said, adding the change is intended to reduce unfair price gaps between local businesses, especially SMEs, and low-priced imported products that previously entered Thailand untaxed.
“This measure helps create a level playing field, improves transparency, and ensures imported goods comply with Thai laws and standards,” Ms Lalida said.
Some price adjustments are expected, particularly for fashion and clothing products, which may increase by around 20–30%, while other goods will vary depending on each product’s tax rate.
Currently, over 97% of imported online goods already have tax automatically calculated and included in their displayed prices on major platforms, meaning buyers can continue to pay once and receive delivery at home without handling tax payments at customs themselves.
The Customs Department has coordinated with major e-commerce platforms, including Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, Shien, and Temu, to strengthen the screening of imported goods.
Products failing to meet Thai Industrial Standards Institute or Food and Drug Administration requirements, as well as illegal items such as e-cigarettes, will be removed and banned from import.
Customs Department director-general Phantong Loykulnanta said that last year alone, imports valued below 1,500 baht amounted to around 30 billion baht, from about 150–160 million items. The policy is expected to generate roughly 3 billion baht in additional revenue, he said.
