Import – Export License

Do you want to have a license for import and export? In search of a firm to help you get import and export license in Thailand? Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors is the best law firm that will help you get the import and export license.

The process of getting the license is complex. The license that is appropriate for you will depend on the product you wish to export or import. 

Requirements

Here are some of the requirements for getting the import and export license.

• Copy of business affidavit, it must update within six months
• KSK 1 application
• 2 copies of VAT certificate
• Copy of seal registration
• A copy of bank statement and bank account, only first 2 pages.
• Copy of passport
• Power of attorney.

Streamline Your Import Export Business

If you want to import or export you will need an Import Export License (also called a Customs Card) which is valid for three years. The Gold smart card is for importers and exporters; the Licensed Customs Brokers get a Silver card, the Yellow smart card is for the owner or manager; the attorney-in-fact gets a green card and the customs clearance card is pink. A natural person is required to submit valid ID to Customs during the clearance procedures: a Thai ID for Thais or a passport for non-Thai residents. Sunbelt Asia has worked with a number of freight forwarders and is happy to refer one to you. However, if you like a challenge, as Thai customs have often been called a “Kingdom within a kingdom”, here are the procedures for both importing and exporting:

1. File an Import Declaration: The first stage of import clearance procedure is to submit an Import Declaration (Customs Form 99 or 99/1) manually or through the EDI system.

2. Prepare Supporting Documents: The second stage is to prepare the following supporting documents (as prescribed in the Customs Notification No.38/2543)

• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
• 3 Duplicates of Invoice
• Packing List;
• Insurance Premium Invoice;
• Release Form (Customs Form 100/1 or 469);
• Foreign Transaction Form if the import value exceeds Baht 500,000;
• Import License (if applicable);
• Certificates of Origin (if applicable); and
• Other relevant documents such as catalogs, product specifications, etc.

3. Check the Declaration and Supporting Documents: The third stage is to submit the Import Declaration and all supporting documents for examination by Customs at the port of entry (in the case of EDI Red Line or manual system). The Customs officials will check whether the Declaration is properly made out and that the required supporting documents are attached. In addition, Customs tariff, tax, and duty calculation, valuation of goods are also examined at this stage.

4. Collect Import Duties and Taxes: The fourth stage is payment of applicable taxes and/or depositing guarantee. There are currently four means for payment of import duties and taxes:
(1) Payment at the Customs Department: Importers make payment at the Cashier Division at the port of entry. Customs then issues a payment receipt to be used for cargo inspection and release at relevant warehouses. Payment can be made either in cash or cheque. In case of cheque payment, it must be:

• Cheque issued by the Bank of Thailand (BOT);
• Cashier cheque;
• Cheque with banks’ surety bond; or
• Draft or Bill of Exchange.

(2) Electronic Fund Transfer via the BOT’s BAHTNET: Importers have been allowed to instruct their commercial banks to transfer payment, through the BAHTNET system, to the Customs Department since January 1, 1998.

(3) Electronic Payment at Krung Thai Bank (Teller Payment System): The Customs Department and Krung Thai Bank have been interfaced since September 1, 2000. Importers who want to use this service are required to:

• Complete a Duty Payment Form as attached to the Customs Notification No 77/2543 with one duplicate;
• Submit the Form with payment at any branch of Krung Thai Bank to the Customs Department’s account, Customs Branch. The Bank then returns the duplicate with payment confirmation number back to importers. The bank fee for each transaction is Baht 30.
• Fill in the payment confirmation number on the 1st page of the Import Declaration and submit such Declaration Form to Customs cashiers so as to get payment receipt used for cargo inspection and release.

(4) Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) via EDI: Under this automated system, the electronic payment is made among tax/duty payers (importers/exporters), broker banks (the banks where importers/exporters have accounts), Customs Banks, and the Customs Department. The EFT process via EDI is as follows:

• A tax/duty payer electronically instructs his broker bank to transfer payment to the Customs bank;
• After receiving electronic payment authorization, the broker bank will assign a Transaction Number to the tax/duty payer for future reference and then transfer the payment to the Customs bank;
• When the full payment is received through EFT, the Customs bank electronically transmits payment information to the Customs Department referring to the same Transaction Number given to the tax/duty payer by the broker bank;
• At the same time, the tax/duty payer also electronically transmits its payment information to the Customs Department by referring to the given Transaction Number;
• The Customs EDI system examines the payment information received from the tax/duty payer against that received from the Customs bank and compared them to the Declaration made;
• If all information is error free, the Customs Department will forward an electronic message to the tax/duty payer notifying him to collect the payment receipt used for cargo inspection and release.

5. Inspect and Release Cargo: The last stage is to inspect and finally release cargo from Customs custody. Importers submit the verified Declaration together with the payment receipt at the appropriate warehouse. Customs inspectors then inspect the imported cargo against the Declaration made. If the inspected cargo corresponds to the Declaration made, the Customs inspectors will record the inspection result in the computer system and release the cargo to the importer.

The process of cargo inspection under the manual system is different from that under the EDI system. Manual cargo clearance shipments are inspected on a random basis as specified by the Customs Department. Shipments under the EDI system, however, require that the cargo under profile be examined as deemed appropriate regardless of the random rate specified by the Customs Department for the manual system (Customs Notification No. 47/2543).

Export Clearance Procedures

1. File an Export Declaration: The first stage of export clearance is to file an Export Declaration (Customs Form No. 101 or No. 101/1) as prescribed by the Customs manually or through the EDI system.

2. Prepare Supporting Documents:

1. Invoice;
2. Packing List;
3. Foreign Transaction Form if the FOB value exceeds Baht 500,000;
4. Export License (if applicable); and
5. Other relevant documents (if applicable).

3. Check the Declaration and Supporting Documents:
The third stage is to submit the Declaration and all supporting documents for examination by Customs at the point of export (in case of EDI Red Line or manual system). The Customs officials will check whether the Declaration is properly made out, and the supporting documents required are attached.

4. Collect Export Duties and Taxes (if any): The fourth stage is to pay applicable taxes and duties.

5. Inspect and Release Cargo: The last stage is to inspect and finally release cargo from Customs custody. The exporter submits the verified Declaration together with the payment receipt (if any) at the appropriate warehouse. Customs inspectors then inspect the exported cargo against the Declaration made. If the goods inspected correspond to the Declaration made, the Customs inspectors will record the inspection result to the computer and release the cargo.

If you use the EDI green line process, then electronically submit the Declaration as mentioned in step 1 to the Customs Department. The Customs Department then reviews the electronic Declaration through its EDI system. If the Declaration is properly made out and classified as Green Line, the Customs Department will assign a Declaration Number to the exporter who will directly proceed to the warehouse for cargo inspection and release.

What we can do for you

We at Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors can help you through the application process. Our legal advisors are qualified and experienced in form filing. Along with this, they will assist you in the preparation of the documents. On your behalf, our experts will submit the documents to the Customs Department.

We have been working in the legal field for 15 years. Our experts will guide you through the process correctly. They will get you the right license based on your products. Nowadays, the application process takes one day. After this, you can get your company license number. You can start import and export of goods.

We at Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors are ready to discuss your business needs. Contact us for first free consultation.