Thailand Collects 4 Billion Baht in Online Goods Tax
Thailand's Customs Department has collected over 4 billion baht in taxes on foreign online goods since January 2025, exceeding its 3 billion baht target and winning support from local retailers concerned about fair competition.
The Customs Department has collected over 4 billion baht in import duties and VAT on foreign online goods since January 2025, from approximately 225 million items valued at around 41 billion baht. This exceeds the department's target of 3 billion baht.
Panthong Loykoolnant, director-general of the Customs Department, said the measure applies to all online items priced at one baht or higher. The private sector, consulted through the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Thai Retailers Association, has expressed satisfaction with the policy as it creates fairness for local businesses and manufacturers.
Loykoolnant acknowledged that online imports of miscellaneous goods have begun to slow, partly because consumers are increasingly shopping on domestic platforms. He also noted efforts to investigate fraudulent "Made in Thailand" labels on imports, working with the Department of Foreign Trade to inspect factories. The department is addressing cases where factories hide machinery despite holding valid factory licenses.
During the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025 (October 2024–August 2025), the Customs Department collected approximately 590 billion baht in taxes and fees, up 9% year-on-year. The department expects to collect over 600 billion baht for the full 2025 fiscal year.
VAT collections for the same 11-month period reached 380 billion baht, up 11%, reflecting strong import and export growth. However, Loykoolnant acknowledged that tariff collection remains limited because most trading partners have free trade agreements with Thailand, making most imports duty-free. The customs duty collection rate averages only 0.82 baht per 100 baht of imports.
