Thailand Faces Stricter US Scrutiny Over Fake “Made in Thailand” Exports

Thailand is tightening inspections on goods falsely claiming to be made in Thailand, particularly for exports to the US, following a surge in Thai exports and increased US vigilance.

The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) and Customs Department are collaborating to prevent fraud, including the mislabeling of Chinese goods as Thai to evade anti-dumping duties and gain tariff benefits.

Key Details:

• The US is closely monitoring Thailand due to a significant rise in Thai exports, with Thailand now ranking seventh among US exporters.
• Thailand ranks fifth in the US for anti-dumping cases, with 73 cases.
• The Customs Department and DFT are intensifying joint inspections to combat goods falsely claiming Thai origin.
• Seizures from October 2025 to February 2026 totaled over 503 million baht, with a 61% year-on-year increase.
• A major case involved the seizure of 50,824 items falsely labeled as “Made in Thailand” but imported from China, causing an estimated economic damage of 11.2 million baht.

This crackdown aims to protect Thai businesses, ensure fair competition, and maintain international credibility. In the past six months, authorities seized goods worth over 503 million baht, including items falsely labeled as “Made in Thailand” that were actually imported from China. The government is also considering revising penalties to allow for the confiscation of goods with false origin declarations.

The measures are designed to protect domestic industries, prevent economic harm from unfair trade practices, and maintain Thailand’s reputation in international markets. Misrepresenting origin violates Thai laws including the Prohibition to Import Goods with False Marking of Origin Act of 1938.

The government plans to revise penalties to allow for the confiscation of goods with false origin declarations.

Penalties for Falsely Declaring Origin in Thailand

Thailand is tightening penalties for exporting goods that falsely declare their origin, with plans to make enforcement “more severe and decisive”.

Key Details:

• The Customs Department is revising operational rules and procedures to impose harsher penalties for this category of fraud.
• Penalties may match tax cases, potentially up to four times the duty.
• The revised penalties aim to address a loophole where exports without duties result in light penalties.
• The Customs Department is cooperating with the Foreign Trade Department to identify at-risk importers and prevent false origin declarations.
• Monetary penalties will be imposed on a per-unit, per-product basis to reduce undervaluation risks.

Why It Matters:
The stricter penalties aim to curb “trade circumvention” exports, protect domestic industries, and reassure trade partners of Thailand’s commitment to fair trade practices.