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Exporting electrical and electronic products from Thailand

Electronics leave Thailand on an electronic export declaration to the Customs Department. Dual-use items are controlled under the Trade Controls on WMD Related Items Act B.E. 2562, with licensing run by the Department of Foreign Trade. The DFT also issues certificates of origin and checks origin closely for goods on its US and EU watch lists.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Dual-use controls
WMD Related Items Act B.E. 2562, licensing through the DFT's e-TCWMD system
IT products under ATIGA
457 ITA products may gain origin by assembly
Origin watch lists
49 items for the US (including hard disk drives), 9 for the EU
Export declaration
Kor Sor Kor 101/1, filed electronically with the Customs Department
Duty refund on imported inputs
Section 29, Customs Act B.E. 2560

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the product, or a part of it, on Thailand's dual-use control list? Read more
  2. 2Does the product meet the rule of origin the buyer's preference needs, and is it on a DFT watch list? Read more
  3. 3Is the exporter registered with the Customs Department, or will a broker file? Read more
  4. 4Were imported components used, and will you claim the duty back? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Dual-use items

Goods, software and technology with both civil and military uses are controlled under the Trade Controls on WMD Related Items Act B.E. 2562, administered by the DFT.

  • The DFT runs the e-TCWMD system for licensing dual-use items (DUI), including an e-Classification tool, and an electronic export licence (e-Licensing).
  • In September 2025 the DFT trained exporters on the DUI licensing measure, e-Licensing and the classification of nuclear-related items (Category 0).
  • A DFT notification of 11 October 2021 sets six criteria for an internal compliance programme (ICP), including classifying goods against the control list under the Act and keeping that classification current.
  • The ICP criteria include screening users and end users against reliable lists of prohibited persons, including the UN Security Council consolidated list, and obtaining end-use assurances that the goods are not for nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.
  • The DFT publishes the organisations whose ICP has passed its assessment.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate and permit with the shipment and lot it belongs to, dated, so the record for a consignment is in one place. Ask about this

Origin of electronic products

How electronic goods gain Thai origin under ATIGA, and the DFT's closer checks on goods at risk of false origin claims.

  • Under ATIGA, the 457 products on the Information Technology Agreement list (Annex 4) may gain origin by assembling ITA-listed materials, as well as under the general and product-specific rules.
  • For exports to the US, origin is wholly obtained in Thailand or substantial transformation of imported materials, shown by manufacturing process documents.
  • The DFT keeps origin watch lists: 49 items for the US, such as hard disk drives, wire and cable, and pump parts, and 9 for the EU, such as bicycles and electric bicycles.
  • The DFT gives assembling finished solar modules from imported panels and parts as a case that fails substantial transformation for the US.

How we help: Compliant Always reads your certificates of origin and other export documents against what the destination asks for, and shows where they differ. Ask about this

Export declaration and customs clearance

Goods leave Thailand on an electronic export declaration filed with the Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร) under the Customs Act B.E. 2560.

  • The general export declaration is form Kor Sor Kor 101/1 (กศก. 101/1). It also covers goods leaving a bonded warehouse, goods claiming tax compensation or a Section 19 bis duty refund, and re-exports.
  • The exporter or its agent sends the declaration and invoice data electronically. Once the system accepts it, it issues a declaration number, and the exporter pays any duty and the declaration fee.
  • Documents to prepare are the invoice, a packing list, and an export licence or other document where the goods are controlled.
  • A declaration can be sent by an exporter registered with the Customs Department, by a customs broker, through a service counter, or on paper with a cover sheet at the customs house.
  • At the port the system marks each declaration green line (no inspection) or red line (inspection of tariff code, value and goods, by X-ray where available).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate and permit with the shipment and lot it belongs to, dated, so the record for a consignment is in one place. Ask about this

Certificates of origin and trade preferences

Where the buyer claims a lower tariff under a trade agreement, or the destination asks for proof of origin, the exporter applies for a certificate of origin.

  • The Department of Foreign Trade (กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ, DFT) issues preferential certificates under FTAs and GSP, such as Form D (ASEAN), Form E (China) and Form RCEP.
  • Non-preferential certificates are issued by the DFT, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
  • The DFT lists five online steps: check the basic information, register, apply for pre-export origin verification in ROVERs PLUS, prepare in DFT SMART C/O, and apply for the certificate through DFT SMART C/O.
  • Under ATIGA, the general rule is that goods are wholly obtained in Thailand, have at least 40% regional value content of the FOB price, or change tariff heading (four digits). A product-specific rule, where one is listed, is used first.
  • Proof of origin under ATIGA is an electronic Form D sent to the destination's customs through the ASEAN Single Window, a paper Form D only when the system fails, or an origin declaration by a certified exporter for registered goods.

How we help: Compliant Always reads your certificates of origin and other export documents against what the destination asks for, and shows where they differ. Ask about this

Duty refunds and compensation on exports

Exporters can recover import duty paid on materials used in exported goods, and tax and duty built into the cost of goods made in Thailand.

  • Section 29 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 refunds import duty on goods imported to be produced, mixed, assembled or packed into goods exported within one year of import. The refund is claimed within six months of export.
  • Machinery, moulds and other reusable tools, fuel and lubricants are not refunded under Section 29.
  • Under the Tax and Duty Compensation of Exported Goods Produced in the Kingdom Act B.E. 2524, compensation is paid as electronic tax coupons at rates published in the Royal Gazette.
  • To claim compensation, the exporter registers with the Customs Department, marks the export declaration (compensation "Y", privilege code 003 and its 14-digit registration number), and files form Kor Sor Kor 20/1 within one year of export.

How we help: Compliant Always shows which export documents are missing or about to expire before a shipment leaves. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ExporterRegistering with the Customs Department, the export declaration, any licence for controlled goods, and the application for a certificate of origin.The licences, certificates and declarations for each shipment kept together, dated.
ManufacturerClassifying products against the dual-use list, the bill of materials and process records behind origin, and the Section 29 production formula.Classifications, bills of materials and process records kept with each product.
Department of Foreign TradeCertificates of origin, origin verification, export measures on listed goods, and dual-use licensing.What the department issued kept with the shipment it covers.
Customs broker or freight forwarderFiling the electronic export declaration and transport documents for the exporter, where appointed.The shipment's documents in one record the broker can work from.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what electrical and electronic products have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

Do electronics need an export licence from Thailand?
Only if they are dual-use items controlled under the Trade Controls on WMD Related Items Act B.E. 2562. The DFT's e-TCWMD system has an e-Classification tool for checking and handles e-Licensing.
Which dual-use items need a licence first?
The DFT's September 2025 training on the DUI licensing measure covered e-Licensing and classifying nuclear-related items (Category 0). Check the current notifications under the Act for the categories that need a licence.
What is an ICP for dual-use exports in Thailand?
An internal compliance programme meeting the six criteria in a DFT notification of 11 October 2021: management commitment, classification against the control list, user and end-use checks, and the further criteria it sets. The DFT publishes organisations that pass.
Do I need to screen buyers of electronics exported from Thailand?
The ICP criteria include checking users and end users against reliable lists of prohibited persons, including the UN Security Council consolidated list, and stopping the transaction where there is reasonable suspicion.
Can assembled electronics count as Thai origin under ATIGA?
For the 457 products on the ATIGA IT list, assembling ITA-listed materials can confer origin. Other products use 40% regional value content, a change of tariff heading, or their product-specific rule.
Why does the DFT check origin for exports of hard disk drives to the US?
Hard disk drives are on the DFT's US watch list of 49 items at risk of false origin claims. Exporters show substantial transformation in Thailand with manufacturing process documents.
Can I get duty back on imported components used in exported electronics?
Section 29 refunds import duty on materials in exported goods; the Customs Department names anti-rust chemicals used in integrated circuits as an example. Export within one year of import and claim within six months of export.
How early must an air export be declared at Suvarnabhumi?
At the Suvarnabhumi Airport free zone, the export declaration and air cargo movement data are sent together at least six hours before the scheduled departure.
Can I ask in advance whether a product meets the origin rules?
The DFT points exporters to advance rulings in the destination: US Customs' eRulings, and the EU's binding origin information, with a bill of materials, product diagram and manufacturing process in English.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Thailand?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

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