Thailand Strengthens Export Regulations following U.S. Tariff Measures

Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade has intensified export inspections on 49 product categories bound for the U.S., aiming to curb false origin claims following the U.S. administration’s imposition of a 36% tariff.

Key takeaways

• Thailand’s DFT has placed 49 export categories under tighter scrutiny to prevent origin fraud amid new U.S. tariffs.
• Exporters must now complete a formal verification process before receiving Certificates of Origin for U.S.-bound shipments.
• The move strengthens Thailand’s trade compliance and aims to maintain trust and access to key U.S. markets.
  The move aims to curb transshipment practices by third countries attempting to circumvent U.S. trade measures via Thailand.

Exporters of goods like solar panels, steel truck wheels, artificial stone slabs, and steel pipes must undergo a formal origin verification process before receiving the Certificate of Origin (Form C/O) needed for export clearance to the U.S.

DFT Director-General Arada Fuangthong said on Monday that the agency is working proactively to ensure that U.S. customs authorities can verify the genuine Thai origin of exports. 

The department is also monitoring potential misuse of Thailand as a transit point for goods attempting to bypass anti-dumping (AD), Section 301, and Section 232 measures.

The heightened oversight comes amid rising global trade tensions and signals Thailand’s commitment to maintaining compliance with international trade regulations. 

According to the DFT, coordination with U.S. customs has already resulted in a reduction of inspections on Thai production sites from ten product categories to six reflecting increased trust in Thailand’s export verification procedures.

So far, only two cases of origin misrepresentation have been detected, leading to the revocation of the relevant Form C/O documents and disciplinary action against the exporters involved. 

The DFT has since tightened monitoring of all origin certification applications, aiming for zero tolerance for misuse.

Fuangthong added that the list of monitored goods is likely to expand as the department continues to analyze export data and identify high-risk categories. Products currently subject to Section 232 national security-related tariffs have already been added to the watchlist to minimize the risk of fraudulent labeling.

The DFT also reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing cooperation with U.S. customs agencies to more effectively combat origin fraud. 

This includes regular information sharing and technical collaboration to ensure transparency and reduce the likelihood of enforcement actions against Thai exporters.

As global trade dynamics grow more complex, Thailand’s preemptive actions seek to safeguard its export sector’s credibility and protect long-term access to critical markets such as the United States.