Cost of Shipping a Container to Thailand

General customs clearance procedures for imports in Thailand require the submission of a Customs’ import entry form. The form should be accompanied by standard shipping documents, which include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and letter of credit. Import licenses are required for the importation of many raw materials, petroleum, industrial machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, firearms and ammunition, and agricultural items. Thailand has eliminated its requirement of a certificate of origin for information technology imports under the WTO Information Technology Agreement. The use of a freight forwarder to deal with import customs clearing in Thailand is highly recommended.

The bill of lading is a legal document that aims to assist both the shipper and carrier understand the conditions of transporting cargo. It serves the function of being a title of ownership of the goods to be shipped. It is also a receipt in the hands of the carrier that is transporting the goods. Finally, it is an agreement with all the terms and conditions surrounding the transportation of the cargo.

Prohibited goods are goods for which the import into Thailand is prohibited. Any person who imports prohibited goods is considered as committing offenses and subject to penalties indicated in the relevant national legislation. Imports of used motorcycles and parts, household refrigerators using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), refurbished medical devices, gaming machines, and computer peripherals are prohibited. Further information about prohibited and restricted goods can be obtained from the Thai Customs website.

Thailand’s average Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) applied tariff rate is 10 percent. Thailand’s average MFN applied tariff rate is 29% for agricultural products and 7% for non-agricultural products. The highest ad valorem tariff rates apply to imports competing with locally produced goods, including automobiles and automotive parts, motorcycles, beef, pork, poultry, tea, tobacco, flowers, beer and spirits, and textiles and apparel. Thailand applies a 10 percent tariff on most pharmaceutical products, including almost all products on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, with the exception of some vaccines, antimalarials, and antiretrovirals, which are exempt. MFN applied tariff rates on imported processed food products range from about 30 percent to 50 percent.

Modern shipping containers, although watertight, are also ventilated. This is to make the shipping of livestock, animals, and plants possible. However, certain containers are constructed for specific purposes which might need the container to be airtight. Such containers aren’t ventilated. Check with the shipping container provider to ensure your container meets your specific needs.

A broker is an agent that conducts business with shippers on behalf of carriers. They are used when the carrier doesn’t want to be involved with the details of conducting business with clients. A Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC) is a company or firm that transports cargo on behalf of shippers without owning a ship. They use the services of actual carriers to transport the cargo they have collected from shippers. They might have their own containers and rent a portion of the haul of ships. They issue bills of lading in their name.

The space required for a home delivery depends on the type of shipping container being delivered. A standard 20ft container will require twice its length space for delivery, particularly when it will be done by truck. This means that it will need 40ft of length space and 15ft of width and height space. A 40ft container will require an 80ft length space, and 15ft width and height space. If this space cannot be provided on your property but you have just enough for a container, then consider having the container delivered by crane. It might cost more but it will require less space.

Tracking a container while in transit is gradually becoming an industry standard. It gives a form of insurance to the shipper that the cargo is safe. GPS trackers are used to track containers as they give immediate feedback. You can even hire a tracking servicing company to track and keep tabs on your shipment.

Some container delivery companies don’t insist on your presence while others do. Consult the company to know their unique policies about delivery. However, it is advisable that you make yourself present either way because delivering a container is a delicate business. You might need to present your permit for having a container to local law enforcement. There might also be a need for you to make extra space for the container.