On 22 April 2025, Thailand’s Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with key government and business groups. These included the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), the Customs Department, Thai Chamber of Commerce, and The Federation of Thai Industries. The meeting was held amidst the 90-day break period of the U.S. administration’s imposition of reciprocal tariffs on imports from 57 countries, including the proposed 36 percent reciprocal tariff on Thai exports. The meeting discussed how the national rules and measures should be adjusted in response to potential circumvention cases, particularly in relation to cases where foreign manufacturers or producers are trying to obtain non-preferential certificates of origin (NPCO) from the Thai issuing authorities for their products destined for the U.S. without sufficient transactional evidence or support to claim that the products are originating from Thailand.

Following the meeting, it was concluded that for products on the “Surveillance List” being exported to the U.S., only the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) can issue the non-preferential certificates of origin.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and The Federation of Thai Industries, normally authorized to issue non-preferential certificates of origin, will no longer have the authority to issue any non-preferential certificates of origin for the 49 products under surveillance destined for the U.S. These products on the Surveillance List include tubes, pipes of vulcanized rubber, passenger vehicles, hard disk drives, computer parts and automotive parts. A complete list of these products together with their corresponding tariff codes can be found here.

It was also agreed during the meeting that the DFT will examine the manufacturing and production process for each product more thoroughly by carrying out more detailed inspections of factories and related export documents, and to increase collaboration with other government agencies such as the Department of Industrial Works under the Ministry of Industry.

How A&M Can Help

Given the changes initiated by the Thai government in response to the retaliatory U.S. tariffs, particularly the stricter checks by the DFT and the updated procedures for obtaining non-preferential certificates of origin for certain goods, it is important for companies to ensure that their products meet the necessary requirements to claim Thai origin.

Our experienced Global Trade team at A&M can conduct a thorough review of your products, manufacturing processes, and sourcing to verify if they meet the requirements for Thai origin (both from a Thai and U.S. perspective), especially focusing on items that are currently on the DFT's Surveillance List destined for the U.S.

In addition, we can assist you with the updated process of applying for non-preferential certificates of origin directly from the DFT and help you prepare the necessary documentation to meet the new stricter rules.

Source:Thansettakij Online Newspaper (Thai language), 22 April 2025, https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/trade-agriculture/625688