Accelerating Market Growth Through Shipping Cargo to Thailand Reliably

18/09/2025

Driven by sectors like electronics, automotive, food processing, and with a business- friendly environment, Thailand remains a key gateway to Southeast Asian markets.

In recent years, Thailand has been steadily strengthening its logistics sector, which currently contributes around 5% to the country’s GDP. With more than 20 large-scale transport infrastructure projects and an investment plan worth over USD 50 billion, the sector is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 6% through 2027.

Rising to the Challenge:
Hurdles for Importing into Thailand

Successfully transporting cargo to Thailand means navigating some of the specificities that can come with this type of international shipping like:

Foreign ownership restrictions for certain industries (agriculture, forestry, fishing, engineering) that may mean you need a special license or permit to operate legally.
Understanding different cultural nuances and the impact these have on consumer behaviour.
The role that consumer spending, population age, and local economic factors can have on your overall export strategy.

Being aware of some of the differences between Thailand and other export locations can help you optimize your approach, allowing a more successful market entry and quicker growth.

Mastering Customs and Compliance in Thailand

A key part of cargo shipping to Thailand is understanding and navigating customs and compliance. All import and export activities are overseen by the Thai Customs Department, to ensure correct tax and duty collection whilst also preventing fraud and prohibiting restricted imports.

There are several important parts to the customs procedures in Thailand, including:

Import Compliance Requirements

This mandatory registration allows you to get an Importer/Exporter ID, which in turn gives you access to Thailand’s e-Customs system.

Tariff Classification

All products must be classified using the Harmonized System (HS) Code to determine the import duty rate and determine if any governing regulations or permits are required. This type of classification helps avoid penalties or delays during the customs process.

Documentation

Including your packing list, commercial invoice, Bill of Lading, and any required certificates, all documentation must be submitted via the e-Customs system before your import can be processed.

Import Duties and Taxes

Duties vary depending on the product and its origin, some cargo including goods like alcohol, tobacco, and luxury items have higher duty rates.

Import tax is at 7% VAT and is calculated based on CIF value plus duties.

Business Incentives

Understanding and complying with customs procedures has numerous benefits for companies importing goods to Thailand, such as:

Prevention of delays or penalties caused by the seizure of goods.
Streamlined market entry due to proper classification and faster customs processing.
Optimized tax and duties liabilities by knowing the correct HS codes and leveraging Special Economic Zones (SEZ)s.

Beyond this, compliance with customs procedures in Thailand will highlight your professionalism and reliability to local partners, resulting in better customer confidence and a positive brand reputation.

Aside from this, as a business, it’s worthwhile knowing about any incentives you may be eligible for.

SEZs offer certain companies (particularly export-orientated businesses) exemptions from duties and VAT, as well as corporate tax holidays.

Equally, trusted trader schemes mean that compliant businesses can access faster customs clearance procedures and reduced border delays, enhancing supply chain efficiency.

Ship it Right: How Smart Shipping Supercharges Expansion

Effective shipping strategies can be a catalyst for market expansion. They will allow you improve customer experience and build customer loyalty through timely deliveries of high-quality cargo.

Beyond this, by taking the time to build a strong logistics approach, you’ll enable more successful market entry that means you’re competitive with other brands from the outset. By reducing costs through streamlined processes your supply chain is easy to both grow and manage, helping you achieve global expansion at a quicker rate.

Ask MSC

Ultimately, Thailand presents a wealth of opportunity for businesses looking to expand their market reach both regionally and on an international scale. If this sounds like you, our team at MSC may be able to assist. Not only do we have a local team of experts, but our global fleet means we have the size and scale to support your individual business needs. Contact us today to find out more.