Customs Seizes 48 Tons of Smuggled Electronic Waste From Brazil
Customs officials at Laem Chabang Port seized 48 tons of electronic waste illegally disguised as scrap metal from Brazil, stepping up enforcement against hazardous material smuggling to protect Thailand's environment and public health.
The Customs Department is stepping up strict measures to protect the environment and public safety, with its latest action seizing over 48 tons of electronic waste that was illegally disguised as scrap metal imported from Brazil.
On September 29, 2569, Panthong Loychalnan, Director-General of the Customs Department, said the agency is responding to the government's key policy under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to actively prevent and suppress illegal smuggling of goods, particularly electronic waste and hazardous materials. He stressed that the mission extends beyond strict law enforcement to serving as environmental protection, safeguarding public health, and preventing Thailand from becoming a target or destination for foreign hazardous waste in the long term.
On September 21, 2569, Customs officials at Laem Chabang Port conducted risk analysis and inspected a shipment originating from Brazil declared as "scrap metal" weighing 48,213 kilograms. Detailed inspection revealed the container did not contain only scrap metal as declared, but concealed electronic circuit boards and other components mixed with scrap metal. These materials are classified as Class 3 hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances Act 2535, listed in the Ministry of Industry's Hazardous Substances Directory 2556, and qualify as hazardous waste under the Basel Convention governing cross-border movement and disposal of hazardous waste.
The actions violate Articles 202, 244, and 252 of the Customs Act 2560, as well as the Hazardous Substances Act 2535 and related laws. Customs officials have seized all items for legal prosecution.
The Director-General emphasized that Customs will continue to intensify surveillance, inspection, and suppression of illegal electronic waste and hazardous material smuggling to protect the environment and public health while strictly upholding international commitments. The department is preparing to return the seized waste to its country of origin through coordination with relevant agencies.
