Thailand: why online purchases will become more expensive in 2026

Thai customs will start taxing low-value online imports from 1 baht starting January 1, 2026.

Specifically, this measure will put an end to low-priced online purchases that previously evaded customs duties, with a direct impact on prices paid by consumers starting in 2026.

The Thai Customs Department has signed cooperation agreements with five major e-commerce platforms to strengthen online import surveillance.

These agreements will enable the collection of import duties on goods valued over 1 baht, ending a long-standing exemption for low-value shipments.

The Director-General of Customs, Phanthong Loykulanunt, stated that the new rules will come into effect on January 1, 2026, replacing the current customs duty exemption threshold of 1,500 bahts (approximately 41 euros).

According to him, this exemption has allowed foreign products to compete with products sold by Thai businesses.

Agreements with e-commerce giants

Woman on her computer with packages.

The agreements were signed with Lazada, Shopee Thailand, SHEIN, TikTok Shop Thailand and TEMU.

The authorities estimate that around 250 million packages worth a total of more than 45 billion bahts (1.2 billion euros) per year will be imported in 2026.

This cooperation should help raise import standards, protect consumers and promote fair competition, said Mr. Phanthong.

The new tax will apply to almost all products that previously benefited from exemption.

Just last year, imports worth less than 1,500 bahts totaled around 30 billion bahts, or around 150 to 160 million items, he said.

This policy is expected to generate approximately 3 billion bahts in additional revenue per year, he added, but its primary objective is to protect domestic operators against tariff disadvantages related to untaxed imports.

Low-value imports mainly related to fashion

Online clothing purchase. Freepik photo created by AI

Clothing and shoes will be subject to import duties of around 30%, bags around 20%, and other goods will be taxed according to their customs classification, generally between 10% and 20% depending on the type and material.

Customs officials have stated that these measures will also help prevent non-compliant products from entering the market.

The department will communicate lists of regulated products to platforms so that items requiring licenses, such as permits from the Thai Food and Drug Administration or the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, can be filtered before sale.

Most platforms will include taxes and customs duties in the displayed price, allowing consumers to make a single payment before delivery.

Shipments sent by Thailand Post (Thailand Post) may still be subject to customs duties upon delivery.

Mr. Phanthong stated that cooperation with the platforms will enable upstream controls, which will reduce customs inspections and improve law enforcement efficiency.

"It's not just about revenue," he said.

"It's about establishing a transparent, fair, and legal commercial system in the long term."

Thomakorn Supatanarangsri, Vice President of Government Relations at Lazada Thailand, said that cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential to share information and establish common standards.

Platforms cannot manage all regulatory issues alone, he said, and must work with the authorities to ensure fair growth of the digital economy and protect consumers.

He acknowledged that some sellers might be affected during the initial adjustment period, but stated that these changes would be beneficial in the long run as they would subject all players to the same standards and create a safer ecosystem.

He added that Lazada had communicated these changes to sellers and was preparing for their implementation before the planned launch date in January.

See also:

Thailand: buying on Shopee or Lazada will cost more in 2026

19% tariff: Thailand's concessions to the United States

A new type of online commerce is gaining momentum in Thailand

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Source: Khaosod English