India–Thailand Trade Under AIFTA
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) provides preferential duty on ~76% of tariff lines. Thailand is India's largest ASEAN import source after Indonesia.
Popular Import Categories
- Polymers and plastic raw materials
- Machinery and electrical equipment
- Rubber and articles thereof
- Auto components
- Processed food and beverages
Compliance for India
BIS Certification
Mandatory for 380+ product categories under CRS. Factory audit + product testing required.
FSSAI Registration
All food imports need FSSAI license. Labeling in English + Hindi.
LMPC (Legal Metrology)
Pre-packaged goods must display MRP, importer details, month/year, net quantity.
AIFTA Duty & GST
- AIFTA preferential rate via Form AI Certificate of Origin
- IGST: 5%, 12%, 18%, or 28% depending on HS
- Social Welfare Surcharge: 10% of BCD
- Anti-dumping duties apply on select Thai HS lines (e.g., melamine, PVC)
Logistics: Laem Chabang → India
| Route | Transit | 40'HC (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → JNPT (Nhava Sheva) | 14–17 days | ,400–2,000 |
| Bangkok → Chennai | 10–13 days | ,200–1,700 |
| Bangkok → Mundra | 15–18 days | ,500–2,100 |
Payment & Banking
- L/C via SBI, HDFC, ICICI still dominant for new suppliers
- T/T 30/70 accepted; RBI reporting mandatory
- Advance remittance capped at USD 500K without bank approval
FAQ
Q: Which products face anti-dumping from Thailand? A: Melamine, PVC suspension resin, glass fibre, and certain steel — check DGTR notifications.
Q: Is BIS ISI mark testing done in Thailand? A: BIS conducts factory audits in Thailand and accepts NABL-equivalent lab testing.
Q: What's the AIFTA duty on polymers? A: HS 3901–3907 preferential rates vary 0–5% under AIFTA with Form AI.
Q: FSSAI license — importer or supplier? A: The Indian importer must hold Central FSSAI License; the Thai supplier needs no Indian license.