New Thai Customs Law Now Effective

Thailand's long-standing customs law, which has been in force since 1926, has been replaced with the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) effective Monday 13 November 2017. The new Act is intended to better facilitate international trade and to modernize (and simplify) Thai customs procedures.

According to Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri, the Director-General of Thai Customs Department: "The Customs Department will change its role from being a regulator to being a trade facilitator."

Key elements of the new Act include:

• new prescription period for customs audits
• changes to the appeals process
• new penalty structure for violations of the Act
• new limitation on surcharge amount
• power to seize goods of other shipments