TGF Service
Import Services Thailand
End-to-end coordination for bringing goods into Thailand — freight booking, licensed customs broker coordination, import documentation, duty/VAT payment support, and permit guidance for regulated categories.
Thai Global FreightQuick Answer
Importing into Thailand involves several linked steps: booking freight (sea, air, or cross-border trucking), preparing accurate commercial documents, filing a formal customs declaration through a licensed customs broker, paying the assessed duty and VAT, and — for certain product categories — securing a permit from the relevant regulating agency before the goods arrive. TGF coordinates this end to end: arranging the transport leg, working with licensed customs brokers on declaration and classification, flagging early whether a product needs a permit or falls into a controlled or prohibited category, and supporting the duty/tax payment process once customs issues its assessment. The party legally responsible for the import declaration — the importer of record — is usually the Thai buyer itself, with TGF and its broker partners handling the filing and coordination on that importer's behalf. Because permit requirements, classification, and valuation are product-specific and can change, this page describes the overall service; the applicable HS code, duty rate, and any permit requirement for a specific product should be confirmed with a licensed customs broker or Thai Customs before shipping.
Ideal For
- Businesses bringing their first shipment into Thailand and unsure which steps apply
- Importers of goods that may fall into a regulated, controlled, or permit-requiring category
- Companies wanting a single point of coordination across freight, customs broker, and duty/tax payment
- Buyers acting as importer of record who want the declaration and documentation handled accurately from the start
Features
- Coordination of the freight leg (sea, air, or cross-border trucking) into Thailand
- Coordination with licensed customs brokers for HS classification and declaration filing
- Early screening of whether a product needs an import permit or falls into a controlled or prohibited category
- Pre-shipment document review to catch invoice, packing list, and bill of lading mismatches early
- Support during duty/VAT assessment and payment through approved channels
- Support during document review or physical inspection if a shipment is selected
How It Works
How It Works
- 1
Product & requirement screening
The product's likely HS code and category are reviewed to flag whether a permit, license, or special classification applies, before booking.
- 2
Freight booking & document preparation
Transport is booked and commercial documents — invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill — are reviewed for consistency.
- 3
Declaration filing with licensed broker
The customs declaration is prepared and filed electronically by a licensed customs broker, based on classification and valuation of the goods.
- 4
Risk-channel assignment & possible inspection
The declaration is automatically assigned to a review channel; if flagged for document review or physical inspection, this is coordinated to resolve it promptly.
- 5
Duty/VAT assessment & payment
Customs calculates the duty and VAT assessment based on the declared classification and value; payment is coordinated through an approved channel.
- 6
Release & inland delivery handoff
Once cleared, cargo is released and handed off for inland trucking to its final destination.
Documents
Documents
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Import Declaration
Certificate of Origin (if applicable)
Import Permit / License (if applicable)
Customs Power of Attorney
Cost Factors
- Import duty and VAT based on the product's HS classification and CIF value — confirm the applicable rate with a licensed broker or Customs
- Freight and inland trucking charges for the transport leg
- Broker service fees for declaration filing
- Inspection/examination fees if the shipment is selected for physical check
- Storage charges if clearance or a required permit is delayed
Risks to Plan Around
- Missing a required import permit, discovered only after the cargo has already arrived
- Document mismatches — invoice vs packing list vs bill of lading — causing holds or a red-line review
- Incorrect HS classification or undervaluation leading to reassessment or penalties
- The importer of record remains legally responsible for declaration accuracy even when a broker files it
- Errors found after release require a formal post-clearance correction rather than a simple resubmission
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TGF file the customs declaration itself?
Formal declarations in Thailand must be filed by a licensed customs broker. TGF coordinates the shipment and works with licensed broker partners who handle the classification and filing.
How do I know if my product needs an import permit?
It depends on the product's actual category and HS code, not the marketing name — categories like food, drugs, cosmetics, telecom equipment, and agricultural products commonly require a permit. Flag the product to TGF before booking so this can be checked early.
Who is legally responsible for the import declaration?
The importer of record — usually the Thai buyer for a standard commercial import — remains legally responsible for the declaration's accuracy and the duty/tax owed, even though a licensed broker physically files it.
How is import duty and VAT calculated?
Duty is calculated on the CIF value using the rate tied to the product's HS code, then VAT is calculated on CIF plus duty. Exact rates are product-specific — a licensed broker or Thai Customs can confirm the applicable rate before shipping.
What happens if my shipment is selected for inspection?
Selection for document review or physical inspection is often routine or partly random rather than a sign of a specific problem. Having consistent, complete documentation ready and a broker reachable during the inspection window helps resolve it promptly.
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