The Customs Department plans to ban imported agricultural products from qualifying for the 40% local content import duty exemption for domestic sale based on any processing in Thailand. The Customs Department looks set to amend regulations on local content to prevent imported goods from exploiting tax privileges to compete with domestic producers. When it enters a free zone, it is repackaged and frozen, which allows it to be classified as having 40% local content. It should not be a matter of adding profit and carrying out simple processes to qualify for local content privileges," said Mr Phantong. Abolishing rewards for all officials requires amendments to the 1926 Customs Department Act.

Source: Bangkok Post March 02, 2026 01:02 UTC