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Exporting food from Thailand

Food leaves Thailand on an electronic export declaration to the Customs Department. Some foods carry their own export measures from the Department of Foreign Trade: rice needs an export licence, durian and longan exporters register with the Department of Agriculture, and canned tuna and pineapple have conditions. Plant products travel with a phytosanitary certificate.

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

Export declaration
Kor Sor Kor 101/1, filed electronically with the Customs Department
Goods with export measures
Rice, coffee, fresh durian and longan, canned tuna, canned pineapple and others (DFT)
Phytosanitary certificate
Department of Agriculture, Thailand's plant protection organisation
Certificate of origin
Department of Foreign Trade (Form D, Form RCEP and others)
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 food on the DFT's list of goods with export measures? Read more
  2. 2Does the destination need a phytosanitary certificate for a plant product? Read more
  3. 3Is the exporter registered with the Customs Department, and who files the declaration? Read more
  4. 4Will the buyer claim a lower tariff, and which certificate of origin does that need? Read more
  5. 5Were imported ingredients or packaging used, and can their duty be refunded? Read more

The rules, by area

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

DFT export measures on particular foods

The Department of Foreign Trade lists foods that carry export measures under the Export and Import of Goods Act B.E. 2522. Customs releases them only on the conditions set.

  • Rice (paddy, brown, white, broken, parboiled and bran) needs an export licence. The exporter must hold a rice-trading licence for export and be registered with the DFT. Products made from rice are outside the measure.
  • Fresh durian and fresh longan exporters must register with the Department of Agriculture, which notifies Customs of the registered exporters, and must report their exports to it.
  • Durian and longan packages carry, in English, the exporter's name and registration number, the plant name and variety, the grade and weight, and the producing country.
  • Canned tuna (HS 1604.14.11 and 1604.14.19) may be exported only by members of the Thai Food Processors' Association or the Thai Tuna Industry Association (notification of 15 October 2014).
  • Canned pineapple must be made by a producer licensed under the industrial product standards law, or holding a notification receipt from the Thai Industrial Standards Institute for export, and named on the list sent to Customs.
  • Samples, personal use and small quantities for study are excluded from these measures, in the quantities needed.

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

Phytosanitary certificates

Fresh fruit, vegetables and other plant products usually need a phytosanitary certificate from the Department of Agriculture (กรมวิชาการเกษตร).

  • The Department of Agriculture is Thailand's National Plant Protection Organization and issues phytosanitary certificates and phytosanitary certificates for re-export through its e-Phyto system.
  • Since 1 October 2022 only the new format is issued: A4 paper with a "Department of Agriculture Thailand" watermark, a ten-character number starting "TH", and a QR code in the top-left corner for inspectors to check it.

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

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.
Producer or packerMaking the food to the conditions of any export measure, such as a TISI licence for canned pineapple, and packing to the labelling rules for durian and longan.Licences and registrations kept with the product, with their dates.
Department of AgricultureRegistering durian and longan exporters, and issuing phytosanitary certificates.Each certificate kept with the shipment it was issued for.
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.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what food 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 I need a licence to export rice from Thailand?
Yes. Rice is a good that needs an export licence. The exporter must hold a rice-trading licence for export, be registered with the Department of Foreign Trade, and not have harmed international trade before. Products made from rice are outside the measure.
Do I need to register to export durian or longan from Thailand?
Yes. Exporters of fresh durian and fresh longan must register with the Department of Agriculture, label packages in English with their name and registration number, variety, grade, weight and producing country, and report their exports to the department.
Who can export canned tuna from Thailand?
Under a Ministry of Commerce notification of 15 October 2014, the exporter must be a member of the Thai Food Processors' Association or the Thai Tuna Industry Association. Customs releases the goods against the list the DFT sends it.
What does canned pineapple need before export?
It must be made by a producer licensed under the industrial product standards law (TIS 51-2562), or holding a TISI notification receipt for export. A trader that is not the producer shows Customs evidence that the goods came from such a producer.
Does fruit exported from Thailand need a phytosanitary certificate?
Destinations commonly ask for one for fresh plant products. The Department of Agriculture issues phytosanitary certificates through its e-Phyto system; since 1 October 2022 they carry a TH number and a QR code.
How do I declare food for export from Thailand?
File an electronic export declaration (Kor Sor Kor 101/1) with the Customs Department, yourself if registered or through a customs broker, with the invoice, packing list and any licence the food needs.
How do I get a Form D for food exported to ASEAN?
Apply to the Department of Foreign Trade. The electronic Form D is sent to the destination's customs through the ASEAN Single Window, and the importer uses its reference number. The food must meet the ATIGA rules of origin.
Can I get import duty back on imported ingredients used in exported food?
Under Section 29 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560, duty is refunded on imported goods used in products exported within one year of import, claimed within six months of export. The Customs Department gives food-preserving chemicals in canned food as an example.
Can I send food samples abroad by post without a declaration?
By post, goods that are not prohibited, restricted or dutiable, sent to one consignee at a value of no more than 10,000 baht at a time, need no export declaration. Other postal exports need an electronic declaration.
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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