Recently, a joint operation was conducted by the Office of the Crime Suppression Division (OCEC) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Thailand. They seized over 380 boxes of “Chinese mosquito repellent” that had been smuggled into the country. These mosquito repellents were found to contain three toxic substances harmful to the human body. Inhaling these toxic substances in large quantities may lead to serious health problems, including headaches, seizures, confusion, etc.

Illegal importation，lack of certification

After an investigation, the police discovered that they had smuggled the mosquito repellents into the country through illegal channels. They had planned to sell them in the Thai market. Acting on leads, the police seized 380 boxes of mosquito repellents in a warehouse in the Bang Mueang sub-district, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province, Thailand. In order to evade taxes, these products did not go through the required customs procedures, making them typical smuggled goods.

These mosquito repellents contain pyrethroid substances – chlorfluazuron and dimefluthrin. These chemicals are toxic to both humans and animals. Furthermore, if inhaled in large amounts, they may cause serious symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, muscle spasms, asphyxiation, and even confusion. In 2023, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning. They advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing mosquito repellents with Thai labels. Many of these products are illegally imported and contain harmful ingredients.

Under Thai regulations, these mosquito repellents must obtain import licenses. They must also undergo safety and efficacy assessments before being sold on the market. However, the owner of the goods involved failed to provide legal import documents and customs payment vouchers. Consequently, the police seized this batch of smuggled goods in Thailand and launched further investigations in accordance with the law.

Imported products need to comply with regulations

Products that involve consumer health must comply with certain regulations and procedures to legally enter the Thai market when being imported. The specific requirements are as follows:

1. Obtain an import license

Any product intended to enter the Thai market must obtain an import license. This usually requires approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA in Thailand only approves products that can be legally sold. Authorities consider products imported without permission as illegal imports and may seize and destroy them.

2. Product registration and safety assessment

Importers must register products and have them undergo safety and efficacy assessments in Thailand. The Thai FDA requires manufacturers to conduct necessary tests on all chemicals or consumer goods (including cosmetics, health products, etc.) before selling them to ensure they are harmless to humans and the environment.

The assessment content may include:

Toxicological testing: To ensure that the chemical components used in the product do not pose a threat to consumer health.

Efficacy testing: To ensure that the product’s effectiveness meets expectations.

3. Labeling and Marking Requirements

All products imported into Thailand must be affixed with labels that comply with Thai regulations. These labels should include:

• Product name and ingredients
• Instructions for use
• Precautions and warnings, especially for ingredients harmful to health
• Thai-language labels to ensure that consumers understand the usage methods and potential risks.

4. Customs Declaration and Tax Payment

Importers must declare to the Thai customs, provide relevant import documents, and pay appropriate tariffs and value-added tax (VAT).If the importer fails to provide the relevant documents or pay the taxes in Thailand, authorities will regard the products as smuggled goods and may seize them.

5. Compliance Inspection and Market Supervision

The Thai FDA and other regulatory authorities conduct regular market spot checks to ensure that the products sold meet safety standards. If authorities find products that do not meet the requirements, they will take recall, penalty, or destruction measures.

In summary, products imported into Thailand must strictly abide by Thailand’s regulations regarding importation, registration, labeling, and taxation to ensure the safety and legality of the products. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in legal consequences such as fines, seizure, and destruction.

Beware of the Dangers of Illegally Imported Products

The recent seizure of smuggled mosquito repellents is a reminder that illegally imported goods may not have undergone safety assessments. These products can pose a serious threat to consumers’ health in Thailand. As consumers, we must choose formal channels when buying daily necessities, especially products related to personal health. Avoid purchasing goods of unknown origin.

This operation is an important measure by the Thai government to strengthen market supervision and combat smuggling crimes. We urge everyone to pay attention to the safety of imported goods, especially those related to human health. Ensure that purchased goods meet local safety standards and regulatory requirements in Thailand.

WELLION is committed to providing compliance consulting and services for the Thai market to help enterprises enter the Thai market smoothly and ensure that their products meet regulatory requirements. We will continue to monitor changes in the Thailand market to ensure that you can enter the Thai market smoothly and in compliance, and avoid potential legal risks.