PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand has officially begun collecting tax on all online imported goods from the first baht as of Jan 1, ending the long-standing tax exemption for low-value imports, the government said.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatthana said the new measure abolishes the previous exemption on imported goods valued at 1,500 baht or less. The policy aims to create fair competition, improve government revenue collection, and ensure imported products meet Thai legal standards.
Under the new rules, all online imported goods will be subject to value-added tax and import duties regardless of price. The government said the move will help reduce inequality between Thai businesses — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises — and low-cost foreign products that previously entered the market tax-free.
Lalida acknowledged that prices of some products may rise as a result, with clothing and apparel expected to increase by around 20–30 percent, while other goods will vary depending on their tax classification. However, she said the government has taken steps to maintain consumer convenience.
Currently, about 97 percent of imported goods already have taxes calculated and included in the listed price on online platforms, allowing consumers to make a single payment and receive deliveries as usual without having to pay taxes separately at customs checkpoints.
On consumer protection, the Customs Department has coordinated with major online platforms including Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, SHEIN, and TEMU to strengthen product screening. Goods that fail to meet Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, as well as illegal items such as electronic cigarettes, will be removed and barred from import.
The government stressed that the policy is not intended to increase the burden on consumers, but rather to modernize the tax system to be fair, transparent, and aligned with the digital economy. Consumers were assured that online shopping would remain convenient, safe, and better protected under the new regulations. (TNA)
