Import goods into Thailand without setting up your own local importing company.
Need to ship commercial goods into Thailand but do not have your own Thai importing entity? UnionSPACE can assess the shipment, product requirements and import pathway and, for accepted shipments, provide an agreed local Importer of Record solution together with customs and delivery coordination.
Can we handle your shipment?
The quickest way to answer that question is to review the actual shipment. Product type, HS classification, intended use, country of origin, shipment value and any product-specific requirements can all affect the import pathway.
When an Importer of Record can be useful
One-off commercial shipment
Import equipment or goods into Thailand for a specific project without first building your own importing infrastructure.
Market testing
Test a Thailand opportunity or small shipment before deciding whether to establish a local entity.
Overseas company selling into Thailand
Use an accepted local import arrangement when the foreign seller does not have its own Thai importer.
Equipment for a project or client
Bring machinery, IT equipment or commercial equipment into Thailand for an agreed destination or project.
Temporary expansion
Support imports while your own Thailand company, customs setup or operating infrastructure is still being established.
Product launch
Understand the import and compliance path before committing to larger-scale Thailand sales or distribution.
Check the requirements before the goods arrive.
Problems become more expensive after a shipment is already at the port, airport or courier facility. A pre-shipment review can identify questions that should be resolved before dispatch.
What we review
- Product description and intended use
- HS classification information, where available
- Country of origin and commercial value
- Import restrictions and product controls
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Potential labelling or documentation requirements
- Expected duties, taxes and third-party charges
- Final delivery location in Thailand
Official decisions remain with authorities
- Customs classification and valuation
- Inspection or document requests
- Customs duty and tax assessment
- Product-specific approvals or permissions
- Release, detention or further examination
- Official processing periods and policy changes
Some products need more than customs clearance.
Product requirements are checked shipment by shipment. Depending on the goods, additional licences, registrations, certificates, testing or approvals may need to be resolved before importation.
Food, supplements & cosmetics
Potential Thai FDA requirements should be assessed before shipment.
Wireless & telecom equipment
Radio or telecommunications products may raise NBTC-related questions.
Industrial products
Certain goods can be subject to industrial standards or other product controls.
Plants & animal products
Agriculture, quarantine or livestock controls may apply depending on the product.
Alcohol & tobacco
Excise and other regulatory requirements can apply in addition to customs formalities.
Other restricted goods
Product-specific rules should be checked before the shipping decision is finalised.
Review first. Confirm the IOR scope before shipping.
Send shipment details
Provide the product information, commercial invoice, packing list, origin, quantity, shipment method and intended Thailand destination.
Import & compliance review
We assess the product, likely customs pathway, available documents and whether separate product or regulatory questions should be resolved.
Confirm IOR scope & cost
If UnionSPACE can accept the shipment, we confirm the agreed importer role, professional fee, estimated duties/taxes and known third-party charges.
Shipping & customs coordination
The shipment proceeds using the agreed documents and logistics arrangement. We coordinate the private service scope around the import process.
Release & delivery
Thai Customs independently reviews the shipment. Following release, onward delivery is coordinated to the agreed Thailand destination where included.
What we need for a preliminary shipment review
An IOR quote should separate service fees from government and third-party costs.
IOR pricing depends on the shipment rather than a single fixed rate. We quote after reviewing the product, value, shipment size, number of SKUs, regulatory requirements and destination.
UnionSPACE IOR / professional fee
The agreed commercial service fee for the accepted private-sector scope.
Customs duty
Where applicable, based on the customs classification and official rules.
Import VAT / taxes
Where applicable to the shipment and assessed under the official framework.
Freight / clearance / port charges
Third-party logistics and handling costs where applicable.
Product compliance costs
Separate testing, regulatory or specialist work if required for the product.
Delivery
Onward Thailand transport where included in the agreed scope.
Has the shipment already reached Thailand?
A shipment that is already at a port, airport or courier facility may need a different review from a planned IOR shipment. Send us the current shipment status, airway bill or bill of lading, invoice and any notice you have received.
We do not promise that every detained or non-compliant shipment can be released. The first step is to understand the actual reason the shipment cannot proceed.
Commercial goods we can assess
Acceptance depends on the specific product and shipment. These categories illustrate common enquiries rather than a blanket promise that every product can be imported through UnionSPACE.
IT & computer equipment
Commercial hardware and related equipment for projects or local operations.
Machinery & industrial equipment
Project machinery, equipment and parts subject to shipment review.
Electronics
Consumer or commercial electronics, with additional regulatory review where relevant.
Retail & consumer products
General commercial products subject to product-specific requirements.
Samples & demonstration equipment
Commercial samples and demo equipment where the import model is suitable.
Regulated products
FDA-, NBTC-, industrial- or other regulated goods require separate readiness assessment.
Questions importers ask before shipping
What is an Importer of Record in Thailand?
Can I import into Thailand without setting up my own Thai company?
Can UnionSPACE act as IOR for every type of product?
What documents do you need for a quote?
Does my product need FDA, TISI, NBTC or another approval?
How are customs duties and import VAT calculated?
How much does Importer of Record service cost?
How long does customs clearance take?
Can UnionSPACE coordinate delivery after clearance?
Send the product, invoice and packing list.
Tell us what you are importing, where it comes from, shipment value, shipping method, expected arrival date and final destination. If available, include the HS code and product datasheet.
Product · Commercial invoice · Packing list · HS code if known · Country of origin · Shipment value · Air/Sea/Courier · Expected arrival · Thailand delivery address
Call (+66) 02 036 0600 · Monday–Friday, 9:00–18:00 Bangkok time.