BANGKOK, Thailand – Officials have reported that the country collected more than 4 billion baht in import duties on low-value online purchases during the first 11 months of fiscal 2026, after duties on imports valued at 1 baht or more took effect on January 1. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perisvivatana said about 225 million imported items worth approximately 41 billion baht entered the tax system following the abolition of the previous exemption for goods valued at no more than 1,500 baht.
The policy places low-value imports under the same duty requirements to create fairer competitive conditions for Thai businesses, which already bear domestic taxes and regulatory costs. The government has since seen signs of a slowdown in demand for small individual orders from overseas, with more consumers purchasing from sellers that keep inventory in Thailand.
Authorities are also tightening scrutiny of product-origin claims. The Customs Department and the Department of Foreign Trade are examining goods labeled “Made in Thailand” when there is reason to question whether they were genuinely produced in Thailand. The checks prevent improper origin claims and attempts to circumvent trade measures imposed by trading partners, while protecting legitimate Thai manufacturers and the reputation of Thai products.
The government clarified that the 225 million items represent imports covered by the new duty rules, not illegal goods, while the more than 4 billion baht represents import duties, not total value-added tax or revenue from any single country. The administration also reminded consumers that payment of import duties does not certify product quality or safety, and advised them to check sellers, labels, warnings, warranties, and legally required certifications when shopping online. (NNT)
