Important Import/Export News
Worldwide Customs & Regulatory Updates

February, 2004

Thailand: New customs regulation for sample shipments

Thai Customs Department has recently announced new import regulations to approve duty exemption for shipments that are shipped into Thailand as " SAMPLE". The new provisions are effective immediately after the announcement from Thai Customs on December 26, 2003.

FedEx strongly encourages you to review the new rules and take the necessary actions, as failure to comply may result in shipments being delayed and/or result in customs fine. There are some conditions and guideline to apply as follows:

• It must be a real sample shipment with no commercial value.

  -	There is a word of "SAMPLE" or "NOT FOR SALE" or "TESTER" or "DEMONSTRATION" or other wording with similar meaning marking on the commodity and it must be unremovable. OR
  -	Making a hole or mutilated on the piece of sample. OR
  -	It must be in piece or part of the commodity for example a piece of color swatch, a piece of leather sample, etc. AND
  -	In the proper quantity that is suitable to be as sample not for commercial purpose, and the type of sample commodity is in line with the importer's business nature.
  -	In case such sample does not fall under 1.1-1.4 and the importer import such sample for the purpose of being a master model for production in the quantity not more than 3 pieces each with no commercial value, the importer must provide evidence to prove the purpose of import by giving the factory license upon shipment arrival.

• No duties apply for the shipment under above conditions.
• 100% inspection for those shipments that are declared as per 1.1
• Upon inspection if any misdeclaration or uncompliance to the above is found, the shipment will be strictly and immediately seized and litigation process will be applied with high amount of customs fine. The litigation process may take at least 2-3 months to complete.

FedEx will continue to monitor the status of the new provisions and take the necessary steps to keep you informed. We strongly encourage you to regularly visit www.fedex.com/nz or call our Customer Service for more details of the regulations and future updates.