The Customs Department teamed up with the Department of Foreign Trade to expose a counterfeit "Made in Thailand" goods network and announced enforcement results at Laem Chabang Port over a 10-month period, with damages exceeding 1.3778 billion baht.
At 3:00 p.m. on 20 July 2026, at the evidence yard of the Customs Office at Laem Chabang Port, Thung Sukla Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, Mr. Panthong Loikulsanan, Director-General of the Customs Department; Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade; Mr. Phanu Limwongyuti, Director of Laem Chabang Port Customs Office; Mr. Aekawut Na-ek, Director of the Investigation and Suppression Division; and related officials jointly chaired a press conference on the seizure and interception of imported and exported goods causing economic damage to the country valued at over 1.3778 billion baht.
Mr. Panthong Loikulsanan, Director-General of the Customs Department, said this operation is the result of ongoing cooperation between the Department of Foreign Trade and the Customs Department to prevent legal violations, stop false country-of-origin claims, and intercept avoidance of AD/AC duties, thereby building confidence in domestic manufacturing industries.
He also affirmed that Thailand employs protective and remedial trade measures to safeguard domestic industries while considering all impacts efficiently.
Regarding enforcement results at Laem Chabang Port over the past 10 months, from October 2025 to 10 July 2026, there were 41 cases of false country-of-origin declarations involving 8.8 million items, causing damages worth 442.64 million baht. Products involved included cigarettes, plastic products, electrical appliances, household goods, and knife equipment.
At the same time, intellectual property infringements were found, such as brand-name goods including shoes, bags, and hats, totaling 35 cases with 303,472 items.
Additionally, there were 88 cases involving hazardous waste under the Basel Convention, amounting to over 5.66 million kilograms with seized goods valued at 204.56 million baht, and 13 cases involving cannabis flower clusters totaling 14,840 kilograms valued at 148.40 million baht. The total economic damage exceeded 1.3778 billion baht.
False country-of-origin declarations are not only illegal but also distort trade information, potentially used to evade trade measures of partner countries, harming the image and credibility of Thai products in the global market. Therefore, the Customs Department has enhanced inspection and law enforcement measures by amending legal provisions, increasing penalties for false origin declarations, suspending all types of trade benefits, and integrating efforts with the Department of Foreign Trade to concretely disrupt offenders' operations.
Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, said the joint press conference on illegal goods seizures with the Customs Department results from serious and continuous cooperation amid a volatile global economy where many countries have intensified trade measures to protect their industries. The Department of Foreign Trade prioritizes addressing false country-of-origin claims and evasion of Thailand’s trade protection and remedial measures, which could impact Thailand’s export reputation and opportunities in the long term.
Past statistics reflect that Thailand faces increasing severe trade measures. The Department of Foreign Trade urges Thai businesses to recognize the importance of conducting operations in compliance with domestic and international regulations to ensure smooth trade, build partner country confidence, and sustainably maintain export market shares.
Businesses seeking more information can contact the Department of Foreign Trade’s Import Management and Origin Certification Division at 0 2547 4808 or 0 2547 5132, and the Trade Protection and Response Division at 0 2547 4722 or the hotline 1385, or visit the website.www.dft.go.th