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Thai Customs: Prohibited and Restricted Goods

The Thai Customs Department regulates the importation and exportation of goods coming into and exiting Thailand. Within these regulations there are classes of goods which are heavily scrutinized. On class of products are prohibited from entering Thailand under any circumstances. The second class of products are restricted from entering Thailand without permission.

Prohibited Goods

Under Article 27 of the Customs Act of 1926 and subsequent amendments, the following items the prohibited by law to bring into or out of Thailand.

  • Obscene objects/literature/pictures
  • Obscene literature and pornographic materials
  • Goods with an improper Thai flag design
  • Narcotics*
  • Fake currency, bonds, or coins
  • Fake Royal Seals/official seals
  • IPR infringing goods e.g. musical tape, CD, VDO, computer software, etc.
  • Counterfeit trademark goods

*Any habit forming narcotics such as marijuana, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin, and other drugs are considered banned even if they have been prescribed by a doctor.

Restricted Goods

Under same article of the Customs Act of 1926, the Ministry of Commerce is allowed to designate certain classes of goods that are subject to import controls. The controls are generally in the form of licensing or government permission.

The following items require permission from specific government departments in order to be allowed customs clearance into Thailand.

  • Office of National Police – Firearms, parts thereof and ammunition
  • Fine Arts Department – Buddha images; Artifacts and antiques
  • Post & Telegraph Department – Radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment
  • Department of Agriculture – Plants and planting materials
  • Department of Live Stock Development – Live animals and animal products
  • Office of Food and Drugs Administration – Medicines and chemical products

Currency Restrictions

There are currently no restrictions on bringing foreign currency into our out of Thailand. The only requirement is that if the total amount of the foreign currency exceeds USD$20,000 or equivalent, it must be declared to the customs officer. And if there is a wire transfer of foreign currency exceeding the value of USD$20,000, a foreign exchange transaction form must be completed.

There are no restrictions bringing in Thai Bahts into Thailand but there are restrictions on taking Bahts outside of Thailand. When carrying Thai currency to a neighboring country, there is a limit of up to 500,000 baht that can be taking out of Thailand without a permit issued by an authorized bank. If the carrier wants to take more than 50,000 baht to another country other than a neighboring country, they will be required to obtain a permit from an authorized bank. The authorization must be shown to a customs officer when leaving the Kingdom of Thailand.

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30 COMMENTS

  1. I plan to visit Thailand from USA, I plan to bring some raw garlic for my health, and some beef jerky as snacks. Are those prohibited by the custom? Thanks.

    • Hi Jade,

      There is a restriction for bringing a food but not prohibited, you can put it in your checked-in baggage.

  2. Good day.

    A friend of mine has asked us to bring some proudly South African foods with us when we come to Thailand next month.

    Are there any foods that are prohibited to take into phuket?

    • Hi Ghila,

      Kindly call the Thai Custom Center at Tel: 1164, so that you would know if the food that you will bring in Thailand are required for licensing from the Food and Drug Administration here in Thailand.

      All the best

    • Hi Nicky,
      Please call the Thai Custom Care Center at Tel: 1164, so that you would know if you still need a permit for that matter because pepper spray may be considered as a weapon.
      Thank you

    • Yes you are, there is no restriction of bringing nuts in Thailand just put it in your check-in baggage or if you want to make sure please call the Bureau of Custom at +662-667-6000

  3. Dear Sir/Madam,

    I am planning to come Bangkok from Australia for three days.
    Since I need to bring Bongo Drum(musical instrument) which is made out of wood and animal skin), could I please know any restrictions for such an item?

    Best Regards,
    Dilruk.

    • Hi Sir,

      If you want to know about restricted items to bring in Thailand, you have to check the department whose handle those type of items.

      This is the following items require permission from specific government departments in order to be allowed customs clearance into Thailand.

      Office of National Police – Firearms, parts thereof and ammunition
      Fine Arts Department – Buddha images; Artifacts and antiques
      Post & Telegraph Department – Radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment
      Department of Agriculture – Plants and planting materials
      Department of Live Stock Development – Live animals and animal products
      Office of Food and Drugs Administration – Medicines and chemical products

  4. I’m moving to Thailand and I have a collection of pocket knives is it legal for me to put the in a shipping container and take them to Thailand?

    • Yes, but put it in your check-in baggage, however, some airlines had some restrictions about dangerous material so better to check your airline guidelines about the things you are going to put in your baggage

  5. Hello, I am an American staying in Koh Phangan 6 months. I would like to order multivitamins and probiotics from the Internet and have them delivered here. Would they be confiscated?

    • If it is legal, No! they won’t confiscate it. Just make sure that it is a credible and trusted website.

  6. I would like to export organic rolling tobacco from South Africa to a friend who will sell it in Thailand. Are there any prohibitions or restrictions of the import of tobacco into Thailand?

    Regards,
    David

    • Kindly get in touch with The Customs Department in Thailand for information about the importation of tobacco into the Kingdom.

      The Customs Department

      Tel: 1164
      E-mail: [email protected]

      Operating hours
      Monday – Friday 0830 – 1630 hrs
      Closed on Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays

    • You may get in touch with Thai Customs to inquire about bringing in such food items. Below are their contact details for your reference.

      Customs Call Center Tel: 1164
      E-mail: [email protected]

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