Thailand Automotive Parts Export Guide

Thailand is one of the largest vehicle manufacturing bases in Asia and a major production hub for one-ton pickups. A broad supply base of component manufacturers has grown around the assembly plants, alongside distribution of parts for Japanese, American, European and other vehicle brands. For importers this means access to parts for many of the vehicles that dominate roads in ASEAN, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

This guide covers the practical side of buying auto parts for export from Thailand: ports, trade terms, documents and destination compliance.

Why Thailand is relevant for parts sourcing

• Pickup and SUV production. Pickups such as the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara, and SUVs derived from them, have been built in Thailand for export to many markets. Parts for these vehicles are widely available.
• Right-hand and left-hand drive. Thailand drives on the left, but its plants build both RHD and LHD vehicles for export, so parts for both are handled.
• Broad category coverage. Filters, brakes, suspension, cooling, electrical, batteries, tires and accessories can be consolidated into one shipment.
• Regional logistics. Established container services connect Thailand with major trade routes.

Explore model coverage on the pickup and 4x4 hub and the truck parts hub.

Ports of loading

Port	Notes
Laem Chabang	Thailand's main deep-sea container port, on the Eastern Seaboard; the usual port of loading for full containers to long-haul destinations
Bangkok (Khlong Toei)	River port close to the city; draft limits restrict vessel size, so services are mainly regional

The port of loading is stated in the quotation and on the bill of lading, and it is the named place for FOB, CFR and CIF terms.

Incoterms 2020

Incoterms rules define who arranges and pays for each stage of transport, and where risk transfers from seller to buyer. They do not transfer ownership or set payment terms.

Rule	Mode	Seller's main obligations	Risk transfers
EXW	Any	Makes goods available at seller's premises	At seller's premises, not loaded
FCA	Any	Delivers to carrier nominated by buyer; export clearance	When handed to the carrier at the named place
FOB	Sea	Delivers on board vessel at port of shipment; export clearance	Once on board
CFR	Sea	As FOB, plus pays freight to destination port	Once on board at origin
CIF	Sea	As CFR, plus minimum insurance cover	Once on board at origin
CPT	Any	Pays carriage to named destination	When handed to the first carrier
CIP	Any	As CPT, plus insurance at a higher minimum cover than CIF	When handed to the first carrier
DAP	Any	Delivers to named destination, ready for unloading	At destination, before unloading
DPU	Any	Delivers and unloads at named destination	At destination, after unloading
DDP	Any	Delivers cleared for import, duties paid	At destination

Points that often cause confusion:

• Under CFR and CIF, the seller pays freight to the destination, but risk passes to the buyer at the port of loading. The buyer carries the transit risk, and under CIF is the beneficiary of the insurance.
• FCA is the rule the ICC intends for containerized cargo handed over at a terminal; FOB is still widely used for containers in practice.
• EXW leaves export clearance to the buyer, which is impractical for most foreign buyers.
• DDP requires the seller to act as importer of record at destination, which is not possible or practical in many countries.

See export process for the terms offered, and shipping and logistics for freight options.

Export documents

Document	Notes
Commercial invoice	Seller, buyer, description, quantity, unit and total value, currency, Incoterms rule
Packing list	Carton numbers, contents, net and gross weights, dimensions
Bill of lading	Issued by the carrier; original or telex/sea waybill release as agreed
Certificate of origin	Preferential or non-preferential, as required
Conformity or inspection certificate	Where the destination runs a pre-shipment program
Dangerous goods declaration	For regulated items such as filled lead-acid batteries
Insurance certificate	Under CIF or CIP, or where requested

Your payment method may also impose document requirements. Under a letter of credit, documents must match the credit terms precisely.

Certificates of origin

• Form D is used for goods qualifying for preferential tariffs under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement when shipped between ASEAN member states.
• Other free trade agreements Thailand has signed use their own certificate formats and rules of origin.
• Non-preferential certificates of origin are requested by some destinations or banks even where no tariff preference applies.

Eligibility for preferential origin depends on the product meeting the agreement's rules of origin. Not every product sold from Thailand qualifies, particularly goods manufactured elsewhere. Confirm eligibility per product before relying on a preferential rate.

HS classification

Customs tariffs classify goods under the Harmonized System. Classification is shared at six digits internationally, while national tariff lines extend beyond that. Common headings for auto parts include:

HS code	Description
8708	Parts and accessories of motor vehicles, including brakes, gearboxes, axles, suspension systems, radiators, clutches and steering parts
8421.23	Oil or petrol filters for internal combustion engines
8421.31	Intake air filters for internal combustion engines
8507.10	Lead-acid accumulators of a kind used for starting piston engines
4011.10	New pneumatic rubber tires for motor cars
4011.20	New pneumatic rubber tires for buses or lorries
8511	Electrical ignition and starting equipment, including spark plugs, starters and alternators
8482	Ball and roller bearings

Classification of specific products can be complex; some parts are classified under their own heading rather than 8708. The importer, working with a licensed customs broker, is responsible for classification at destination.

Destination conformity programs

Several countries require imported goods, often including auto parts, batteries and tires, to be inspected or certified before shipment. Examples include:

• Kenya: Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC)
• Nigeria: SONCAP
• Saudi Arabia: SABER product and shipment certificates
• Tanzania and Uganda: pre-export verification of conformity programs
• Egypt: Advance Cargo Information (ACI) requirements

Requirements, scope and procedures change. Confirm current rules with your customs broker or the program's authority before placing the order, as a missing certificate can prevent clearance or lead to penalties.

Import restrictions to check

• Restrictions on used or remanufactured parts
• Tire age limits and labeling requirements
• Battery import standards and environmental rules
• Labeling language requirements
• Brand and trademark rules: some countries seize goods suspected of infringing trademarks, so genuine and aftermarket parts must be described accurately

Getting started

Prepare a parts list following preparing a parts list for a wholesale RFQ, confirm destination requirements, and upload the list. For consolidated orders across categories, see how to order mixed auto parts containers from Thailand.