:: Frees trade zones, warehouses:

Thailand gases several Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Firms located in them are exempt from import duties and other taxes on factory construction materials, machinery and equipment and export manufacturing inputs. Within EPZs, foreign investors are permitted to own land and employ foreign technicians and experts. EPZs are generally co-located within industrial estates developed either by the Thai Industrial Estate Authority or by the private sector. Therefore, they have full infrastructure facilities and generally good access to transportation.

Free trade zones were established in 1997 to boost key export-oriented industries such as electronics, automobiles and parts, and gems and jewelry. Industries located in these zones enjoy tax holidays on machinery imports and corporate tax exemption for a set period. The raw materials imported for export-oriented production also would be exempt from duties. In addition, industries in these zones do not have to apply to the Industrial Works Department for factory operating licenses. Goods kept in bonded warehouses can be stored for two years, and are exempt from import and export duties once exported.


Gold Cards
This status for certain importers and exporters allows them to bypass some time-consuming procedures, and facilitates on-the-spot tax clearance and rebates.

Importers

• Pass Bills of Lading through an EDI-based fast track or Green Line customs inspection and clearance system
• Ship cargoes immediately and present documents later
• Exemption from regular customs procedures except random checks.

Exporters

• Pass Bills of Lading through an EDI-based fast track or Green Line customs inspection and clearance system
• Exemption from regular customs procedures, except random checks.

:: Qualifications

Entrepreneurs must be juristic persons with paid up capital of not less than five million baht. They must have a clean import/export track record for at least three years and be willing and able to adopt EDI practices for customs clearance.

Also, they must be members of the Federation of Thai Industries, a Chamber of Commerce and /or the Thai National Shippers' Council. They must present confirmation letters from such organisations stating that they are financially sound and without any record of infringing customs laws or other relevant laws or regulations retroactively for three years from the date of application.


Requirements

  • Deposit security for bonded warehouses with the Customs Department in the form of a bank guarantee for not less than five million baht
  • Keep original copies of Bills of Lading and other relevant documents for at least five years.
  • Surrender to audits by customs officers and facilitate them while on duty.
  • Supervisory agencies have been set up to oversee Gold Card holders, to both monitor and assist with all matters relating to customs.

 
Categorisation of customs brokers
To encourage quality services, the Customs Department has classified reliable customs brokers who meet strict qualifications in to two levels - special-grade and good-grade brokers.

Qualifications

  • The applicant must be a juristic person with a paid up, registered capital of one million baht.
  • At least one customs specialist authorized by the department is to be sought within six months of the Custom Department's approval.
  • Each entity must have a minimum of 30 clients. Where there are fewer than 30 clients, applicants for special grade must place a bank guarantee of five million baht, and 10 million for good grade.

Requirements
Special grade brokers must secure a guarantee contract for bonded warehouses and place deposits or any kind of guarantee issued by banks or financial institutions acceptable to the Customs Department worth 25 percent of the estimated drawbacks.

For good grade brokers, the Customs Department may require the security for bonded warehouses either by money deposit or any kinds of guarantee issued by banks and financial institutions accepted by the Customs Department. The value of the drawback should not be lower than two million baht and not exceed five million baht.