What To Know
- Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a sweeping plan to combat false origin claims on exports to the United States after Washington enforced a 19 percent reciprocal tariff on Thai goods since July 2025.
- A new Committee on the Management and Resolution of Illegal Foreign Business Operations will coordinate investigations across agencies such as the Department of Business Development (DBD), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
Bangkok Business News: Thailand Ramps Up Trade Safeguards
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a sweeping plan to combat false origin claims on exports to the United States after Washington enforced a 19 percent reciprocal tariff on Thai goods since July 2025. Shipments found falsifying their country of origin through transshipment may face penalties of up to 40 percent, prompting swift action to protect Thailand’s trade credibility. This Bangkok Business News report highlights how the government’s new initiatives combine technology, training, and financial aid to support exporters while tightening compliance with U.S. trade rules.
Thailand steps up export verification and compliance to safeguard its US trade sector
Image Credit: AI-Generated
The United States remains Thailand’s second-largest export market, accounting for around 18 percent of total export value, or approximately US$55 billion each year. The Commerce Ministry’s new program—“RVC-Up: Boost Thai Local Content, Expand US Market”—will run from late 2025 through 2026 and aims to help 6,000 exporters adapt to the new U.S. criteria that emphasize regional value content (RVC) rather than production process transformation.
AI-Powered Verification and Exporter Support
Under the “UP System,” the Department of Foreign Trade will use artificial intelligence to verify product origins more precisely. Certificate checks for exports to the U.S. are expected to increase dramatically from 90 to 8,000 cases monthly. The ministry has allocated 12.9 million baht from the emergency budget to strengthen this system without disrupting export flows. Meanwhile, the “UP Knowledge” and “UP Fund” initiatives will provide training programs, consultations, and low-interest financial support to exporters increasing local material content. With an initial 7.6 million baht budget, these measures aim to preserve competitiveness and compliance in a stricter trade environment.
Crackdown on Nominee Businesses and Illegal Operations
The Thai government is also tightening oversight of nominee businesses and foreign entities illegally operating under Thai names to claim false origins. A new Committee on the Management and Resolution of Illegal Foreign Business Operations will coordinate investigations across agencies such as the Department of Business Development (DBD), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Using the Integrated Business Analysis System, authorities will track suspicious companies, trace financial transactions, and prosecute offenders under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
Thailand’s renewed trade vigilance reflects its determination to protect its export markets, maintain global credibility, and foster sustainable domestic industries despite rising scrutiny in international commerce. The plan underscores that compliance, transparency, and digital innovation will define Thailand’s next era of global trade policy.
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