Import-Export Business in Thailand 2026: How Foreigners Can Legally Trade

Thailand moved $560 billion worth of goods in 2026, ranking second in ASEAN for external trade volume after Singapore. For entrepreneurs from Europe, the Gulf, and beyond, this is a real window: proximity to Chinese factories, mature free trade zones, and BOI tax incentives make the country a credible alternative to sourcing directly from China.

But entering the Thai market works differently than it looks from abroad. The Foreign Business Act (FBA) restricts non-resident participation in several sectors, and standard company registration requires Thai nationals to hold a majority stake. Below is a concrete roadmap, from choosing the right legal structure to acquiring property that anchors your presence in the country.

Quick Answer

• Foreigners cannot trade directly in Thailand without registering a Thai Limited Company or obtaining a Foreign Business License (FBL)

• Minimum registered capital for a company with foreign staff is 2 million THB (around $57,000) per foreign employee holding a work permit

• BOI (Board of Investment) promotion grants tax holidays of up to 13 years and allows 100% foreign ownership in priority sectors

• Export-manufacturing companies can register with 100% foreign ownership and no Thai partner requirement, provided the business is strictly production and export, with no domestic trading³

• Free Zones and IEAT estates exempt raw materials and components from import duties and VAT when goods are re-exported

• Investor visa route: buying a condominium from 3 million THB unlocks access to a renewable one-year visa¹

Key Facts

• The Foreign Business Act (FBA) splits business activities into three lists. Wholesale and retail trade fall under List 3, meaning a foreigner needs an FBL or a company with Thai co-founders holding at least 51%

• BOI promotion bypasses FBA restrictions: a BOI-approved company can secure 100% foreign ownership, exemption from corporate tax (standard rate: 20%) for 3 to 13 years, and duty-free equipment imports

• Export-focused manufacturing is a distinct path: companies that only produce and export, without touching the domestic market, can often be structured with full foreign ownership under the FBA framework, though mixing in domestic sales can trigger the standard 51% Thai shareholder requirement³

• IEAT industrial zones span 14 provinces. The largest hubs for import-export operations are Laem Chabang (near the port in Chonburi), Map Ta Phut, and Amata City

• Laem Chabang Port is Thailand's largest, handling more than 8 million TEU of containers annually

• Phuket runs a long-stay visa program for property buyers: a condominium priced from 3 million THB from a Thai developer, or a rental from 85,000 THB per month, qualifies for a one-year visa¹

• Foreigners cannot buy land in Thailand. Alternatives include a 30-year leasehold with renewal options, or purchasing a villa structure without the underlying land²

How to Start: Step by Step

1. Define your product niche and trade direction

Thailand is strong in exporting electronics, auto parts, natural rubber, food products (rice, seafood, dried fruit), and cosmetics. Fertilizers, steel, and grains are common import categories. Review customs statistics through the Thai Customs e-Services system before committing capital.

2. Choose your legal structure

• Thai Limited Company: the standard route. Requires a minimum of 3 founders, with 51% of shares held by Thai nationals. Suited for domestic trade.

• BOI-promoted company: applies if your business fits priority categories (processing, high tech, agribusiness). Grants 100% foreign ownership.

• Export-manufacturing entity: if your operation is purely production-for-export with no domestic sales, full foreign ownership is often achievable without a Thai partner³, though the structure needs careful scoping before registration.

• Foreign Business License (FBL): a direct license for a foreign-owned company. A longer process (3-6 months) but gives full control.

• Representative office: limited to marketing and coordination; trading operations are not permitted.

3. Register the company with the DBD

The Department of Business Development (DBD) is Thailand's equivalent of a corporate registrar. Registration takes 1-3 weeks. You will need articles of association, a list of founders, a registered office address in Thailand, and proof of registered capital.

4. Get a Tax ID and register for VAT

If annual turnover exceeds 1.8 million THB, VAT registration (7%) is mandatory. Export transactions carry a 0% VAT rate, but registration is still required to reclaim input tax.

5. Secure a Work Permit

A Business visa (Non-B) and a Work Permit are two separate documents. For each foreign employee, the company generally must employ 4 Thai staff and hold paid-up capital of 2 million THB. BOI-promoted companies are exempt from this ratio requirement.

6. Open a corporate bank account

Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, and SCB all work with foreign directors. The process takes 2-4 weeks and requires a business plan, company documents, and director IDs.

7. Set up logistics

For imports, register as an importer with Thai Customs and obtain a customs broker number. For free-zone operations, apply through the IEAT. Warehouse space in Laem Chabang starts from 150 THB per square meter per month.

8. Anchor your presence: buy property

Entrepreneurs operating in Thailand frequently buy a home for themselves as both a base and an investment. Condominiums in Bangkok (Sukhumvit, Silom) start from 3-5 million THB, and in Phuket from 3 million THB. A purchase from 3 million THB qualifies for a one-year visa¹. Funds must be transferred from abroad through a Thai bank and documented with an FET form².

FAQ

Can a foreigner do import-export business in Thailand?

Yes, but only through a Thai company, a BOI-promoted entity, or with a Foreign Business License. Trading as an individual or sole proprietor is not permitted.

How much does it cost to open a trading company in Thailand?

Registration typically costs 30,000-80,000 THB in legal fees. Minimum paid-up capital is 2 million THB per foreign employee. Total starting budget: roughly 2.1-2.5 million THB ($60,000-70,000).

What does BOI promotion give a trading business?

Corporate tax exemption for 3-13 years, the right to 100% foreign ownership, faster Work Permit and visa processing, and duty-free equipment imports.

Can a foreigner own 100% of an export-manufacturing company without a Thai partner?

In many cases, yes. Companies structured purely around production and export, with no domestic retail or wholesale activity, can secure full foreign ownership under the FBA framework³. Mixing in domestic sales usually pulls the business back under the standard 51% Thai shareholder rule.

What goods are profitable to export from Thailand?

Natural rubber, rice, seafood, tropical fruit, coconut-based cosmetics, auto parts, and electronics. Thai automotive plants for Toyota, Honda, and BMW also supply high-quality components for re-export.

How do Thailand's Free Zones work?

Goods brought into a Free Zone are exempt from import duties and VAT as long as they don't leave the zone for domestic sale. This is ideal for re-export models: bring in components, assemble the product, and export without incurring Thai taxes.

Do I need a Thai partner to start a business?

For a standard Thai Limited Company, yes, 51% of shares must belong to Thai nationals. A BOI-promoted company, an FBL, or a qualifying export-manufacturing structure can bypass this requirement³.

Can I combine running a business in Thailand with buying property?

Yes, and it's a sound strategy. Freehold condominium ownership is available within the 49% foreign quota. A purchase from 3 million THB unlocks Phuket's long-stay visa program¹. Villas can be acquired via 30-year leasehold arrangements².

Which visa should an entrepreneur choose?

Non-B (business visa) for working within your own company. The Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) suits remote workers not tied to a Thai employer. Large-scale investors typically look at Thailand Elite or the LTR Visa.

What taxes does a trading company pay in Thailand?

Corporate tax is 20% of profit (0% during a BOI tax holiday). VAT is 7%. Import duties vary by category (0-80%, with a weighted average around 11%). Social security contributions on Thai staff salaries run about 5%.

Why choose Thailand over China for sourcing?

Thailand wins in niche categories: natural cosmetics, jewelry, tropical raw materials, and rubber. Logistics are simpler for small batch orders, and business culture tends to be more predictable with contracts. For mass electronics manufacturing, China remains unmatched, but Thai auto plants deliver reliable component quality.

Source: Bangkok Post

Ready to invest in Thailand property? Housebook's experts will shortlist projects and run the deal with you.