Lalida revealed that the government has started collecting taxes on online imported goods from the very first baht, effective 1 January 2026, to promote fair trade and protect consumers. The Customs Department has coordinated with online platforms to strictly screen products.
On 1 January 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertwittaya, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that from today onward, the government is enforcing the measure to collect taxes on online imported goods from the first baht. The previous tax exemption for goods valued at 1,500 baht or less has been eliminated to ensure fair competition, improve state revenue collection efficiency, and raise imported product standards in line with Thai law.
Ms. Lalida stated that this measure requires online imported goods to pay value-added tax and import duties starting from the first baht. This will help reduce inequality among Thai businesses, especially SMEs, compared to cheap imported goods that were previously untaxed.
The deputy spokesperson noted that prices of some products might adjust, such as clothing and apparel, which could increase by about 20–30%, while general goods’ price changes will depend on the tax rates for each category. Nevertheless, the government has ensured that purchasing remains convenient: currently, over 97% of imported goods have taxes calculated and included in the platform price, allowing consumers to pay once and receive items at home without needing to pay taxes personally at customs checkpoints.
Regarding consumer protection, the Customs Department has collaborated with major online platforms including Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, SHEIN, and TEMU to rigorously screen products. Items lacking standard certifications such as TISI or FDA, or illegal products like e-cigarettes, will be removed from the system and prohibited from import.
Ms. Lalida emphasized that this measure does not increase burdens on the public but reforms the system to be fair, transparent, and responsive to changes in the digital economy. She assured the public that online shopping will remain convenient, safe, and better protected.