
The Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Bureau offers a range of services to facilitate the clearance of cargo shipments.
The bureau operates from 6 am to 12 am daily, with a 30-minute break from 12 am to 12:30 am.
To clear cargo, importers must submit a valid Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading to the customs bureau.
The customs bureau requires a minimum of 2 hours for clearance, but this can be expedited for an additional fee.
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Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance
Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance is a well-organized process, with the Customs Department providing presentations to help businesses understand the procedures.
The AMCHAM Customs and Excise leaders led a visit to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office, where members could observe the free zone cargo clearance process on-site and gain first-hand insight into how express shipments undergo customs clearance.
Exporters who wish to export via e-Export, a paperless system, must register with Thai Customs at Suvarnabhumi Airport. To register, exporters should contact the General Administration Division on the 2nd floor.
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Required documents for registration include a photocopy of partnership registration, a taxpayer card or VAT Registration Certificate, and a bank statement or company's savings account passbook.
The process of customs clearance is similar at both ports and airports. SIAM Shipping has customs services in Suvarnabhumi airport and can clear any goods within 24 hours from arrival.
The last step in the customs clearance process is inspection and release of cargo. The cargo is examined and released from Customs custody, and the cargo control report number is automatically created by the system.
Unless specifically exempt, all shipments have to wait for the green light of the Customs before the goods are loaded, making the decision-making process as smooth as possible.
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Clearing Process and Procedures
The Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office has a free zone cargo clearance process that allows for efficient customs clearance. This process is observed on-site by visitors, giving them a firsthand insight into how express shipments are cleared.
The Customs Department provides presentations that offer valuable information on the clearance process, helping visitors understand the procedures involved. AMCHAM members had the opportunity to observe the process on-site, gaining valuable knowledge that they can apply in their work.
Duty Rates

In Thailand, the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value is used to estimate the value of incoming goods. This value is calculated by adding the item value, shipping cost, and insurance cost.
The CIF value is $150 in the example, which is the sum of the item value ($100), shipping cost ($20), and insurance cost ($30). Duty rates are then calculated based on this CIF value.
Duty rates in Thailand hover between 0% and 80% with an average of 21%. Some goods are exempt from customs duties.
Here's a breakdown of the duty rates:
- Laptops and some electronic devices are exempt from customs duties.
- Items with a value not exceeding $30 are also exempt from customs duties.
Inspection and Release of Cargo
The inspection and release of cargo is a crucial step in the clearing process. Thai customs has full authority in choosing which shipment to examine, and the risk factor number is assigned to each shipment, but the criteria for this are still unknown.
The cargo is examined and released from customs custody, where it's loaded by a freight forwarder and electronically controlled by the e-Customs system. This system checks all the information and corrects any mistakes immediately.

The cargo control report number is automatically created by the system, and the response is sent to the freight forwarder and the exporter/broker if no errors are detected. The cargo control report is then printed by the freight forwarder and carried away to the exit port.
A Customs officer at a sub-gate examines whether the declaration is a Red Line or a Green Line at this final stage. The e-Customs system also verifies the declaration and validates the data immediately, creating a Goods Declaration number and an e-Payment system in case of export taxes and duties.
If the automated system detects no errors, the broker/exporter receives a confirmation message, and the selectivity profile system classifies the declaration into either a Green Line or a Red Line.
Clearing Process and Procedures
The Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office has a well-organized process for clearing cargo.
The Customs Department provides presentations to AMCHAM members, giving them a deeper understanding of the customs clearance process.

On-site observation of the free zone cargo clearance process is available, allowing AMCHAM members to gain firsthand insight into how express shipments undergo customs clearance.
The Customs & Excise Council organized the site visit to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office, making it a valuable learning experience for AMCHAM members.
AMCHAM Customs and Excise leaders led the visit, ensuring that members had a comprehensive understanding of the customs clearance process.
Restricted Items and Regulations
When shipping goods to Thailand, it's essential to be aware of the restricted items and regulations.
Certain items require approval from specific government departments before being cleared by Thai customs.
The Office of National Police is responsible for approving firearms, parts thereof, and ammunition.
The Fine Arts Department must give approval for Buddha images, artifacts, and antiques.
MDES (Ministry of Digital Economy and Society) approval is needed for radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment.
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for approving plants and planting materials.

The Department of Live Stock Development must approve live animals and animal products.
The Office of Food and Drugs Administration is responsible for approving medicines and chemical products.
Tobacco, beef products, and dry tea leaf are also restricted items.
Seeds of any type, non-prescription drugs, and electronic cigarettes are also prohibited.
Obscene objects, pornographic materials, and goods with the Thai national flag are also restricted.
Narcotics, fake currency, and fake Royal Seals & Official Seals are strictly prohibited.
Counterfeit trademark goods, sex toys, and graven images (religious idols) are also restricted.
Here are the restricted items that require approval from specific government departments:
Exporting from Thailand
Exporting from Thailand is a straightforward process, but it requires some paperwork and registration with Thai Customs.
To export goods via air, you need to use the e-Export system, which is a paperless system that facilitates exports and increases Thailand's capacity in global trade.
Exporters who don't have a Customs broker need to register themselves at any Customs service office to get a license.

Registration at the Free Zone Area in Suvarnabhumi Airport requires contacting the General Administration Division on the 2nd floor, Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office (BC-1) on tel. 0 2134 1236.
To register, you'll need to provide various documents, including a photocopy of your partnership registration, taxpayer card, or VAT Registration Certificate, and a bank statement or company's savings account passbook.
If you're an ordinary person, you'll need to provide an ID card or passport, and use Form no. 1-1, which can be downloaded from www.customs.go.th.
All goods shipped out of the country must be cleared by the customs, and unless specifically exempt, all shipments have to wait for the green light of the Customs before the goods are loaded.
Comparison of Clearing Processes
At Suvarnabhumi airport, the clearing process is similar to the one at ports, with SIAM Shipping offering customs services that can clear goods within 24 hours if all documents are eligible.

The customs clearance process at the airport is efficient, with SIAM Shipping able to clear goods quickly.
SIAM Shipping has customs services in Suvarnabhumi airport, making it convenient for cargo owners to clear their goods.
Thai customs in the airport can clear any goods within 24 hours, as long as the necessary documents are in order.
Sources
- https://www.amchamthailand.com/2025/03/18/suvarnabhumi-airport-cargo-clearance-customs-office-site-visit/
- https://thailand.go.th/issue-focus-detail/001_03_154
- https://siam-shipping.com/services/custom-clearance-thailand/
- http://www.siamkargo.com/index.php/service/
- https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/reiseundsicherheit/thailandsicherheit-201558
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