UK Thailand Shipping Rates 2024
UK ⇆ ThailandGet Shipping Quote
Commercial shipping
We offer bespoke prices and contract rates based on your consignment’s volume and regularity. We help you to understand your business needs and offer you a rate and service that suits your business.
Please feel free to contact us and discuss your commercial shipping needs:
Direct line:
020 8867 0904 option 1.
Direct email:
[email protected]
Air Freight
Heathrow to Bangkok (BKK)
| Air Export UK To Bangkok | ||||||
| AOL | AOD | Min. | +45 Kgs |
+100 Kgs |
+500 Kgs |
+1000 Kgs |
| LHR | BKK | £90.00 | £2.55 | £2.05 | £1.55 | £1.45 |
Notes
- Above quotes are subject to documentation and custom clearance charges.
- Transit time 3-5 days
- The above air freight rates are up to the arrival at the airport only.
- It does not include ANY charges which may be incurred at the destination such as (but not only) handling, documentation, quarantine fees, duties, taxes, storage costs etc.
- Rates must be paid by the the consignee on collection, usually in local currency.
- Rates are determined locally and we have no influence over them or financial interest in them.
- Rates do not include collection in the UK and quoted from airport only.
In order to receive a door to airport quote please email us: [email protected] or complete the online form on this page.
Sea Freight Laem Chabang
Bangkok Port aka Khlong Toei Port is an international port on the Chao Phraya River of the Thai capital city, Bangkok. It is operated by the Port Authority of Thailand. It is primarily a cargo port.
| FCL Export UK To Bangkok | |||
| POL | POD | 20' GP | 40' HC |
| London Gateway | Laem Chabang | £1,010 | £1,360 |
| Southampton | £1,010 | £1,360 | |
| Felixstowe | £1,010 | £1,360 | |
| Liverpool | £1,010 | £1,360 | |
| LCL Export UK To Bangkok | ||||
| POL | POD | 1 CBM | 5 CBM | 10 CBM |
London Gateway |
Laem Chabang |
£60 |
£205 |
£365 |
Notes
- The rates show our sea freight costs and is up to the arrival at the port only. It does not include ANY charges which may be incurred at the destination such as (but not only) handling, documentation, quarantine fees, duties, taxes, storage costs etc.
- Rates must be paid by the consignee on collection and are usually in local currency.
- Rates are determined locally and we have no influence over them or financial interest in them.
- All quotations are subject to the final weight and dimensions of your packages.
- All packages must be packed safely and securely for transport prior to collection.
- Your packages should not contain prohibited items, dangerous or hazardous goods or valuable items.
- The above sates excludes insurance.
- Our rates are regularly reviewed and are subject to change without notice.
- All business is undertaken subject to the Standard Trading Conditions of the British International Freight Association (Latest Edition). Copies are available upon request.
Thailand UK Shipping Questions?
- Submit the form in this page or WECHAT id: dfs-Betty
- Or call +44 20 8867 0904 & ask for our commercial logistics specialist.
Exporting to Thailand
1. Overview
Thailand is the second largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), accounting for 17% of ASEAN Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The UK is one of the leading European Union (EU) investors in Thailand with UK companies operating across the Thai economy. The rewards of doing business in Thailand can be considerable, but it takes time to develop the necessary business relationships.
UK investors include BG, Tesco (their largest overseas operation), HSBC, Standard Chartered, Triumph Motorcycles and Prudential.
Thailand is home to over 50,000 British residents.
Benefits to UK businesses exporting to Thailand include:
- growing affluent middle class
- well-developed infrastructure
- ranked in top 20% of countries listed in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business Survey’
- government’s pro-investment policies
- hub for accessing opportunities in Greater Mekong sub-region, including Laos, Cambodia, Burma and southern China
Strengths of the Thai market include:
- 50% of the world’s population within a 5 hour flight
- comprehensive infrastructure investment plan
- modern industrial estates and incentives available from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
2. Challenges
Challenges of doing business in Thailand include:
- mid-ranking in Corruption Perceptions Index
- poor Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement
- foreign ownership restrictions in some sectors, especially services
- complex customs requirements
- low unemployment reduces availability of highly-skilled staff
3. Growth potential
3.1 Economic growthThailand is the world’s 29th largest economy with a GDP of USD 388 billion. GDPgrowth averaged 4.1% between 2000 and 2013, according to HSBC.
The Thai economy is predicted to grow 3.5 to 4.6% in 2015, fuelled by the government’s infrastructure investment plans.
Thai GDP is made up of:
- manufacturing – 44%
- communication and transport – 12%
- agriculture – 10%
- hotel and restaurant – 5%
- finance – 5%
3.2 ASEAN
ASEAN is considerably larger than the EU and with 600 million residents is an increasingly important economic region.
It’s predicted that the ASEAN economy will become the fourth largest single market by 2030. An additional 300 million residents from the region will also enter the middle class.
3.3 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs]EU-Thailand negotiations for a FTA were postponed following the 22 May 2014 military intervention.
Thailand has entered into a number of bilateral and ASEAN Free Trade Agreements. Details are available from the Department of Trade Negotiations.
4. Trade between UK and Thailand
UK goods exports to Thailand were valued at £1.96 billion in 2013 making Thailand the UK’s 29th largest export market. Services exports totalled £708 million in 2013.
Top UK goods exports to Thailand 2013:
- iron and steel
- road vehicles
- electrical machinery
- power generating machinery and equipment
- medicinal and pharmaceutical
- specialised machinery
- general industrial machinery
- non-metallic mineral manufactures
- photographic and optical goods
- beverages
5. Opportunities for UK businesses in Thailand
5.1 Transport and infrastructureThailand plans to invest £66 billion between 2015 and 2024 in strategic infrastructure projects. Projects include:
- 3 new double track train lines
- upgrading national rail network with double tracking and expansion of the Bangkok mass-transit system
- airport and port expansion projects
- road and bridge upgrades
- water management and flood prevention
There are opportunities for UK companies in the following areas:
- project management
- consulting engineering
- design
- operation
- specialist innovative technology
Thailand offers significant opportunities for UK companies due to:
- growing tourism
- developing hotel and catering sector
- increasing middle-class disposable income
- large number of international residents
- need for more sophisticated technology in agribusiness sector
There are opportunities for UK companies in:
- pig genetics and breeding
- animal feed
- innovative technology and products
- British beef and lamb exports (once lifting of BSE ban confirmed)
- organic and healthy food products
- confectionary
- premium made in UK food and drink products
- food packaging and processing equipment
Thailand, and especially Bangkok, is witnessing a massive retail boom. New shopping malls and retail concepts are opening across the country and there is substantial demand for quality international products.
Large retail groups are already home to leading British brands and have major investment plans.
Opportunities for UK companies include:
- new British brands (franchise or direct entry)
- clothing
- footwear
- personal care, including cosmetics
- giftware
55% of total energy consumption is imported and the deficit is growing.
Thailand’s ‘energy masterplan’ aims to provide 25% of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2024. The Ministry of Energy is offering incentives for renewable energy in the form of Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) schemes. The BOI also offers a range of incentives for investment in renewable energy sector.
There are opportunities for UK companies in:
- waste to energy
- biomass and biogas
- innovative technologies
- advisory services
Thailand is positioning itself as the logistical hub for ASEAN. Many international companies have made Thailand their ASEAN hub stimulating demand for skilled English language speaking employees.
The Ministry of Education plans to enhance vocational education and is receptive to collaborating with overseas delivery partners. Thailand needs the relevant skills to become a high value manufacturing economy so there’s a need to increase student numbers and provide higher quality vocational training.
There are opportunities for UK companies in:
- English language provision
- education products and services
- private schools
- vocational training
The engineering sector plays an important role in supporting the Thai manufacturing sector, which accounts for almost 40% of Thailand’s GDP.
There are opportunities for UK companies in:
- manufacture and assembly of machinery
- components and parts for the automotive and general engineering sectors
Thailand is a leading medical tourism hub. It’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector continues to grow offering opportunities for new products and services.
Thailand imports 70% of medical devices from overseas.
There are opportunities for UK companies in:
- medical equipment and devices
- specialist treatment/technology
- hospital standard certification
- diagnostic equipment
- e-health
- elderly care equipment/technology and carer training
The new Thai government is moving ahead with a programme to speed up the development of the digital economy. Digital penetration is increasing in Thailand with:
- increasing use of mobile phones, internet and social media
- auction of 4G licences in mid-2016
- TV going digital
- 24 free-to-air channels with 24 more to be added in 2016 (watched by 83% of Thailand’s TV audience)
There are emerging opportunities for UK companies in:
- TV content
- e-commerce related technologies
- information technology infrastructure, such as high-capacity broadband, data centres and digital gateways
- verification systems to identify individuals online
- cyber security
6. Start-up considerations
Most UK companies successfully doing business in Thailand have local representation. This is either through appointing agents/distributors or by establishing their own offices.
After pricing, technical support is the most important issue for prospective Thai buyers. A local presence demonstrates companies are serious about the market and willing to provide local technical support to partners and customers.
UK companies can approach the Thai market in several ways, including:
- direct exports
- appointing an agent or distributor
- partnering with a franchisee
- forming a joint venture
- setting up a local representative office, regional office or regional operating headquarters
You should conduct due diligence and seek legal advice once you’ve identified your mode of entry into the market.
7. Legal considerations
Companies wanting a permanent presence in Thailand must set up a legal entity that is compliant with Thai legal and tax requirements. The Foreign Business Act (FBA) 1999 imposes restrictions on 43 categories of business according to a classification under 3 schedules:
Schedule 1 business are open to 49% foreign ownership without a license. It is not possible to have majority foreign control of a business in Schedule 1.
Schedule 2 activities allow 49% foreign ownership without a license, and 60 to 75% foreign ownership with Cabinet permission provided that two third’s of the directors are Thai.
Schedule 3 activities allow 49% foreign ownership without a license and up to 100% foreign ownership with a Ministry of Commerce licence.
In addition to the FBA there are several industry specific pieces of legislation governing banking and financial institutions; general and life insurance; insurance brokerages; securities and telecommunications.
The BOI has power to grant permission for majority foreign ownership of a List 2 or 3 business, if the business activity is eligible for promotion under BOI rules.
7.1 Standards and technical regulationsThe Thai Industrial Standard Institute (TISI) has responsibility for standards.
The labelling of products in Thailand is regulated by the Consumer Protection Act BE 2522 (1979).
Labels on controlled goods must feature:
- name or trademark of the manufacturer or importer
- place of manufacture or the place of operating import business
- statements indicating the nature of the goods
- name of the manufacturing country, in the case of imported goods
- price, quantity, usage, recommendations, caution and expiry date
Thailand is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has responsibility for IP.
8. Tax and customs considerations
Thailand and the UK have signed a Double Taxation Agreement.
8.1 Value Added Tax (VAT)The current VAT rate is 7%.
8.2 Corporate Income TaxCompanies incorporated in Thailand are subject to corporate income tax on worldwide income, gains and profits.
A foreign company with a branch in Thailand is subject only to income, gains and profits arising from business carried on in Thailand.
The standard rate of corporate income is 20%. Some industries are subject to a separate taxation regime.
8.3 Income taxThe Revenue Department of Thailand provides details of personal income tax rates.
8.4 CustomsThe Thai Customs Department has responsibility for customs issues.
A number of goods entering Thailand are subject to import controls. The Customs Department provides more information on restricted goods.
As a member of ASEAN Thailand is subject to the agreed import duty reduction plan applying to trade between all the ASEAN countries.
9. Business behaviour
Use of English is widespread among larger Thai companies, but proficiency is low among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
You should:
- never sit in a position where your feet are stretched out in the direction of a Buddha image
- take age, seniority and rank seriously
- use ‘Khun’ as the formal term of address followed by the first name
- always give government officials and VIPs a gift if they are the guests of honour at an official event
- avoid pointing with your finger at a person, or snapping your fingers
- never point your foot at a person or an object
- never sit with your feet up against parts of furniture
- have the reverse of your business card translated into Thai
