Customs Seizure of Goods Without TISI Certification

“Thai Customs Seize Over 9,800 Non-TIS Certified Household Appliances Valued at Over 2 Million Baht due to lack of TISI certification.”

The seized non-compliant goods involved two main violations.

Firstly, the goods lacked Thai Industrial Standards (TISI) certification, endangering consumer safety; secondly, Customs discovered undeclared imports in the warehouse, indicating smuggling.

The goods fail to comply with Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) and lack documentation proving they have cleared customs procedures. This violates Sections 242 and 246 of the Customs Act (B.E. 2560), as well as Sections 166 and 167 and other relevant laws. Electrical products in Thailand must meet TISI certification standards to ensure consumer safety. For instance, a substandard hairdryer without TISI certification could overheat, explode, or catch fire, posing serious risks. Both imported and local products must pass quality and safety tests to meet these essential standards.

Responding to policy Maintaining markets

TISI certification is not typically part of Customs’ duties, but many foreign businesses are unfamiliar with it or the application process. To support the government’s policy, Thai Customs is enhancing efforts to maintain market order and protect consumers. They are intensifying crackdowns on smuggling and substandard goods in both e-commerce and physical stores. Strict enforcement of TISI standards aims to ensure product quality and safety. Customs has even obtained court permission to seize poor-quality goods in warehouses and is ramping up random inspections to ensure only TIS-compliant products reach the market.

This approach highlights the Thai Customs Department’s commitment to consumer safety and the interests of legitimate businesses. They argue that selling low-priced, substandard products undermines honest producers. Thus, their actions are not just about curbing smuggling but also about safeguarding fair competition.

In FY2024, the Customs Department conducted 26 seizure operations, confiscating 241,801 products valued at 68.55 million baht, underscoring their dedication to upholding market order and product quality.

Thailand TISI Certification

Thai TISI certification, managed by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), encompasses both mandatory and voluntary types. Mandatory certification covers 60 product categories specified by the Thai government, spanning eight key areas, including electrical equipment, medical devices, and construction materials.Voluntary certification applies to other product categories for which certification is not mandatory.

The TISI Mark of Conformity covers product safety, EMC, and energy efficiency requirements. The purpose of TISI certification is to ensure that the quality of the product meets the Thai national standards to protect the safety of the consumer and to promote the development of the Thai industry.

The TISI certification application process includes the following steps:

Data Evaluation and Certificate Issuance: TISI evaluates the test and factory review reports before issuing the TISI certificate.

Application: Submit product and manufacturer information documents.

Factory Review and Product Sampling: TISI sends an inspector to conduct a factory review and collect samples for testing at a local Thai laboratory.

Testing: Testing must be performed in a Thai laboratory; CB reports are not accepted.

TISI certification is valid for 3 years and requires ongoing market surveillance to ensure products meet Thai standards. For products exported to Thailand, TISI certification is mandatory for market entry.

In Thailand, joint law enforcement agencies are rigorous, with businesses facing thorough scrutiny from customs, tax authorities, sales accounting, and immigration. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties and complex legal issues.

Currently, Thailand enforces strict controls on imported goods. Companies must comply with Thai laws, obtain necessary certifications, and ensure complete customs clearance.

Wellion is committed to navigating Thailand’s regulatory landscape. Our compliance team, with extensive experience, provides professional services at reasonable prices, including handling FDA and TISI registrations.