Sign in Subscribe
Exports

Thailand's Customs Department Cracks Down on Contraband Goods, Seizes 2.709 Billion Baht in Illicit Imports

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In 2015, Thailand's Customs Department tightened its control on contraband goods, seizing over 2.7 billion baht worth of gold that was being smuggled into the country. The department also revealed that 70 billion baht worth of gold was exported to Cambodia, but this was properly declared and did not raise any red flags. The seizures were part of the government's efforts to implement stricter policies on imports and exports, and the Customs Department has been working to streamline customs procedures and prevent the smuggling of illicit goods. The department's revenue collection for fiscal year 2025 (as of August 31, 2025) was 541.894 billion baht, with 104.645 billion baht coming from customs revenue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Customs Department seized over 2.7 billion baht worth of gold in 2015, which was being smuggled into the country.
  • 70 billion baht worth of gold was exported to Cambodia, but this was properly declared and did not raise any red flags.
  • The department's revenue collection for fiscal year 2025 (as of August 31, 2025) was 541.894 billion baht, with 104.645 billion baht coming from customs revenue.
  • The Customs Department has been working to streamline customs procedures and prevent the smuggling of illicit goods.
  • The department expects to collect 114 billion baht by the end of the fiscal year due to a contraction in luxury automobiles and increased use of free trade agreements (FTAs).
  • The Customs Department has set a target of collecting 113.5 billion baht in fiscal year 2016.
  • The use of tax burden reduction privileges from free trade has resulted in a downward trend in customs duties.

Statistics:

  • 2.709 billion baht: worth of illicit imports and exports of goods seized by the Customs Department in 2015
  • 70 billion baht: worth of gold exported to Cambodia in the past seven months
  • 541.894 billion baht: revenue collection for fiscal year 2025 (as of August 31, 2025)
  • 104.645 billion baht: customs revenue collected in fiscal year 2025 (as of August 31, 2025)
  • 7.955 billion baht (7.07%): below target for customs revenue collection in fiscal year 2025
  • 4.366 billion baht (4%): lower than the previous year's revenue collection
  • 114 billion baht: expected customs revenue collection by the end of the fiscal year
  • 113.5 billion baht: target revenue collection for fiscal year 2016

Sources:

  • Thai News Agency (September 12, 2025)
  • Customs Department, Thailand

Read more