What you cannot ship from Thailand
Last reviewed:
32 items we are asked about most, each with the authority that controls it, the permit lead time where one exists, and what actually happens at the counter. 11 cannot leave Thailand at all. 15 move with paperwork we can obtain for you.
Two separate rule sets apply to every shipment: Thai export law, covered here, and the destination country's import rules, covered on each destination page. An item can be legal to export and still be seized on arrival. Read both before you buy.
32 of 32 items shown
| Item | Status | Authority | What this means in practice | Permit lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ItemBuddha images and antiques | StatusRestricted | AuthorityFine Arts Department | What this means in practiceExport licence required for any Buddha image, religious icon or object over 100 years old. Souvenir amulets under 5 cm are generally accepted; full statues are not without a licence. | Permit lead time10-20 working days |
| ItemAntique and reproduction art | StatusRestricted | AuthorityFine Arts Department | What this means in practiceReproductions still require a certificate of non-antiquity. Sellers rarely supply it; we obtain it on your behalf before booking. | Permit lead time10-20 working days |
| ItemIvory, in any form | StatusProhibited | AuthorityDNP / CITES | What this means in practiceBoth Thai law and destination customs prohibit it. Seizure is certain and the shipper is named on the seizure record. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemCoral, seashells, turtle shell | StatusProhibited | AuthorityDNP / CITES | What this means in practiceIncludes decorative shells sold openly to tourists. Australia, the US and the EU seize these on arrival. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemOrchids and live plants | StatusRestricted | AuthorityDOA phytosanitary | What this means in practiceNeeds a phytosanitary certificate plus a CITES export permit for orchids. Sea freight is not viable; air only. | Permit lead time5-10 working days |
| ItemExotic hardwoods, teak furniture | StatusRestricted | AuthorityRoyal Forest Department | What this means in practiceTeak and rosewood need proof of legal origin. Rosewood (Siamese) is CITES Appendix II and effectively unshippable. | Permit lead time15-30 working days |
| ItemLithium batteries, loose | StatusSea only | AuthorityCAAT / IATA | What this means in practiceBatteries not installed in equipment are refused on passenger aircraft. Installed batteries under 100 Wh ship by air with UN38.3 documentation. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemPower banks | StatusProhibited | AuthorityCAAT / IATA | What this means in practiceRefused as cargo by every express carrier we work with, regardless of capacity. There is no workaround. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemVape devices and e-liquid | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Customs | What this means in practiceImport, export, sale and possession are all illegal in Thailand. We do not handle these under any circumstance. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemAerosols, perfume, nail polish | StatusSea only | AuthorityCAAT / IATA | What this means in practiceFlammable liquids above 70 percent alcohol are air-prohibited. Small perfume quantities move as limited-quantity DG at a surcharge. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemPaints, solvents, adhesives | StatusSea only | AuthorityIMDG | What this means in practiceRequires a dangerous goods declaration and a DG-certified packer. Adds roughly THB 3,500 to a shipment. | Permit lead time3-5 working days |
| ItemEngines and machinery with fuel residue | StatusSea only | AuthorityIMDG | What this means in practiceMust be drained, purged and certified. Any fuel smell on inspection returns the unit to you at your cost. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemDurian, fresh | StatusProhibited | AuthorityCarrier policy | What this means in practiceRefused by all air carriers on odour grounds. Freeze-dried and vacuum-packed durian ships normally. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemFresh fruit and vegetables | StatusRestricted | AuthorityDOA / destination biosecurity | What this means in practiceNeeds a phytosanitary certificate and is still refused by Australia, New Zealand and the US for most species. | Permit lead time3-7 working days |
| ItemDried food, snacks, instant noodles | StatusRestricted | AuthorityDestination customs | What this means in practiceShippable, but meat-flavoured products are seized in Australia, the EU and the US. Vegetarian variants clear. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemMeat, fish and dairy products | StatusProhibited | AuthorityDestination biosecurity | What this means in practiceIncludes dried squid, fish sauce with anchovy and shrimp paste in most markets. Fines apply to the recipient, not us. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemHerbal supplements and Thai medicine | StatusRestricted | AuthorityThai FDA | What this means in practicePersonal quantities usually clear. Commercial volumes need an FDA export certificate and destination registration. | Permit lead time10-15 working days |
| ItemPrescription medicines | StatusRestricted | AuthorityThai FDA | What this means in practiceRequires a Thai prescription copy and, for many destinations, an import permit held by the recipient. Controlled substances are refused outright. | Permit lead time7-14 working days |
| ItemKratom and cannabis products | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Customs / ONCB | What this means in practiceLegal to buy in Thailand, illegal to export. This is the single most common reason a parcel from Thailand is seized. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemCosmetics and skincare | StatusRestricted | AuthorityThai FDA | What this means in practicePersonal quantities clear. Resale volumes need an FDA certificate of free sale plus destination product registration. | Permit lead time7-14 working days |
| ItemGold, jewellery and gemstones | StatusRestricted | AuthorityBank of Thailand / Customs | What this means in practiceValues above USD 20,000 need a customs declaration and BOT notification. Insurance beyond USD 5,000 needs prior arrangement. | Permit lead time2-5 working days |
| ItemCash and negotiable instruments | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Customs | What this means in practiceCurrency cannot be shipped as cargo. Amounts over USD 15,000 must be declared when carried in person. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemCounterfeit and replica goods | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Customs / IP law | What this means in practiceSeized on export from Thailand and again on import. We inspect for this and refuse the shipment before it is booked. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemFirearms, ammunition, replicas | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Customs | What this means in practiceIncludes airsoft, BB guns and deactivated replicas, which Thai law treats as firearms. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemKnives, swords and tools | StatusRestricted | AuthorityCarrier policy | What this means in practiceKitchen and craft knives ship by sea and by most air carriers when sheathed and declared. Swords need an export declaration. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemDrones | StatusRestricted | AuthorityNBTC / CAAT | What this means in practiceThe device ships; the battery does not. We remove and dispose of the battery, or ship the set by sea. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemRadio transmitters and signal boosters | StatusRestricted | AuthorityNBTC | What this means in practiceNBTC export approval required. Most destinations additionally require type approval on import. | Permit lead time10-20 working days |
| ItemAlcohol and spirits | StatusSea only | AuthorityExcise / carrier policy | What this means in practiceAir carriers refuse above 24 percent ABV as general cargo. Sea freight works but destination excise duty is charged on arrival. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemTobacco products | StatusProhibited | AuthorityThai Excise | What this means in practiceExport of tobacco as parcel cargo is refused by every carrier we use and attracts penalty duty at the destination. | Permit lead time- |
| ItemUsed personal effects and household goods | StatusRestricted | AuthorityDestination customs | What this means in practiceDuty-free entry usually requires a packing list valued item by item plus proof of residence change. Missing paperwork means full duty. | Permit lead time3-7 working days |
| ItemMotorcycles and vehicle parts | StatusRestricted | AuthorityThai Customs / DLT | What this means in practiceComplete vehicles need deregistration documents. Parts ship freely except airbags and pretensioners, which are dangerous goods. | Permit lead time15-30 working days |
| ItemBatteries installed in devices | StatusAir only | AuthorityCAAT / IATA | What this means in practiceSection II lithium shipments are accepted by air with UN38.3 and correct labelling. Some sea carriers refuse them in consolidated boxes. | Permit lead time- |
How we handle a restricted item found in your box
- 01Intake inspection. Every parcel is opened, weighed and photographed on arrival at our Hua Hin warehouse.
- 02Hold and notify. If we find something on this list, the parcel stops. You get the photographs and the specific rule that applies, usually within one business day.
- 03You decide. Return to the Thai seller at your cost, hold in storage, apply for the permit where one exists, or authorise disposal. We do not decide for you.
- 04Repack and ship the remainder. The compliant contents move on the original booking, with the weight and price corrected.
Claims after dispatch are documented on the claims and Shipment Protection page.
Questions we get about restricted goods
Not sure about your item?
Send us the product link or a photograph. We check the Thai tariff line and the destination rule, and tell you before you spend money, not after.