By definition a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between two or more countries with the aim to facilitate trade and eliminate trade barriers. Under this FTA, goods can be purchased and sold across international borders with little to no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies which help to create an open and competitive international marketplace.
According to the Asia Regional Integration Center (ARIC), to date with Thailand there are x14 proposed FTAs, x15 signed FTAs (of which are 14 in effect) and x9 FTAs which entered negotiations.
Country-specific ‘signed & effective’ Free Trade Agreements (FTA) Thailand
Thailand-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
The Thailand-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is in effect since November 2015. Here are some of the Thai Products that can be exported to Chile with zero tariffs: Oil, Natural Gas, Vans, Cars, canned tuna, digital cameras and canned pineapple.
Some of the Chilean Products that can be exported to Thailand with zero tariffs are: Copper cathodes, frozen trout, molybdenum concentrates, lithium carbonate, bovine meat, pork, lamb and poultry, condensed milk, cheese, nuts, avocados, raisins, tomato paste, gearboxes for automobiles, wood products, paper and cardboard.
Thailand-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
The Thailand-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is in effect since December 2011. Here are some of the Thai Products that can be exported to Peru with zero tariffs: Automobiles, Components and parts, washing machines, rubber products, ores, fish oil and frozen seafood.
Some of Peru’s Products that can be exported to Thailand are: Various Agriculture products, some of them include Trees, Shrubs and Bushes, Grafted or not, of kinds which bear edible fruits or nuts.
Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA)
The Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) is in effect since November 2007. Some of the Thai Products that can be exported to Japan with zero tariffs are: Gemstones and jewelry, textiles and apparel, petrochemical products and foodstuffs such as Seafood and Vegetables.
Some of Japan’s Products that can be exported to Thailand with zero tariffs are: Foodstuffs such as fresh, chilled or frozen fish, crabs, fresh shrimp. Also Fruits including apples, peaches, pears and lastly textiles & apparel as well as steel products.
New Zealand-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (ThaiNZCEP)
The New Zealand-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership (ThaiNZCEP) is in effect since July 2005. Some of the Thai Products that can be exported to New Zealand with zero tariffs are: Pick-up trucks, Canned tuna, Plastic pellets, Preparations from cereals, Gems and Jewelry, Frozen-shrimps, Electrical appliances as well as glass and products made of glass.
Some of New Zealand Product’s that can be exported to Thailand with zero tariffs are: Fishery products, Forestry products, Buttermilk, Wine, Honey, Deer velvet, Butter fats and Frozen potato chips.
Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA)
The Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) is in effect since January 2005. Some of the Thai Products that can be exported to Australia with zero tariffs are: Raw Materials such as mineral ore, fuel, chemicals and raw and tanned hides.
Some of Australia’s Products that can be exported to Thailand with zero tariffs are: Fresh Fruits and vegetables, canned pineapple and pineapple juice, processed foods, small passenger cars & pick-up trucks and Gems & Jewelry.
Thailand-China FTA and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA)
Since October 2003 Thailand has a ‘signed & effective’ Free Trade Agreement with China called the People’s Republic of China-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (PRC-Thailand FTA) which mainly covered zero tariffs on the trade for fruits and vegetables. However, further negotiations for this FTA was put on hold due to the launch of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) on July 2005. The products from the previous FTA are now covered under the new one with zero tariffs on further products. Some of them are: Meat, fish, dairy products, other animal products, trees and nuts.
Laos-Thailand Preferential Trading Arrangement (Laos-Thailand PTA)
The Laos- Thailand Preferential Trading Arrangement (Laos-Thailand PTA) is in effect since June 1991 and connected part of the bilateral trade agreement, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) which was launched in 1992. Some of Lao’s Products that can be exported to Thailand and other ASEAN countries are: Various Live Animals, Meat Products, Fish Products-fresh and frozen, Machinery Products and Parts and various Electronic Appliances.
Other signed & effective Free Trade Agreements with Thailand
- ASEAN-Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
- ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement
- ASEAN-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
- ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership
- ASEAN-Republic of Korea Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
- ASEAN Free Trade Area
Free Trade Agreements with Thailand where Negotiations have been launched
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
- Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Free Trade Area
- Thailand-United States Free Trade Agreement
- Thailand-European EFTA or Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (EFTA members are Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland)
- India-Thailand Free Trade Area
- Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement
- Pakistan-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
- Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
- Thailand-Turkey FTA
To get a clear overview of Products included in the Free Trade Agreements with Thailand, the websites from Department of Trade Negotiations Ministry of Commerce, NTR Thailand National Trade Repository and The Official Investment Promotion Website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations provide valuable information.
BGL is experienced in handling & shipping various Listed products and more . With our in-house Customs Brokerage Team & Licensed Specialist, we can exactly determine whether Duties & Taxes or other excise taxes do apply,