Import from Thailand to USA 2026: Full Guide
Thailand is the US's 11th-largest goods trading partner, exporting $63B to the US in 2024 (USTR). For US importers diversifying away from China, Thailand offers mature OEM factories, English-speaking export desks, and no Section 301 tariffs.
1. What you can import from Thailand
- Electronics & appliances (HDDs, PCBAs, small appliances)
- Automotive parts (rubber hoses, wiring harnesses, aftermarket)
- Rubber gloves, medical devices, PPE
- Food & beverage (canned tuna, coconut products, rice, sauces)
- Home & kitchen, pet products, beauty OEM
- Furniture, textiles, footwear
2. Duties & HTS codes
Use the USITC HTS lookup (hts.usitc.gov) to find the duty rate for your product. Most Thai goods enter under MFN (Column 1) rates — no Section 301 China surcharge applies. Some categories qualify for GSP (currently expired but retroactive renewal likely — check USTR).
Examples:
- Rubber gloves (HTS 4015.19): 0%
- Wooden furniture (HTS 9403.60): 0%
- Ceramic tableware (HTS 6912.00): 4.5–9.8%
- Silicone kitchenware (HTS 3924.10): 3.4%
3. Documents you need
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (ocean) or AWB (air)
- Form A / Certificate of Origin (for GSP if reinstated)
- FDA prior notice (food), FCC (electronics), CPSC (toys/kids)
4. Customs bond & broker
Any commercial shipment >$2,500 requires a customs bond (annual continuous bond ~$500/yr covers unlimited entries up to $50k duties). Hire a licensed customs broker — they file ISF (10+2) 24 hrs before vessel loading and CBP entry on arrival.
5. Freight & lead time
- Ocean FCL Laem Chabang → LA/Long Beach: 18–22 days, $2,200–3,500 per 40HQ
- Ocean FCL → Savannah/NY: 30–35 days, $3,500–5,000
- Air freight BKK → LAX: 3–5 days, $4.50–7.00/kg
6. Landed cost example (40HQ silicone kitchenware to LA)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| FOB Laem Chabang | $28,000 |
| Ocean freight | $2,800 |
| Insurance (0.3%) | $84 |
| Duty (3.4% of FOB) | $952 |
| MPF + HMF | 45 |
| Broker + ISF | $250 |
| Drayage LA | $650 |
| Landed at LA warehouse | $32,881 |
FAQ
Q: Are there tariffs on Thai imports to the USA? A: Most goods enter at MFN rates with no Section 301 surcharge. Rates vary 0–15% depending on HTS code.
Q: Do I need a customs broker? A: Legally optional but practically required for any shipment over $2,500. Broker fees run
25–250 per entry.Q: What's the minimum order to import from Thailand? A: Factories typically require 1,000–5,000 units MOQ. For LCL freight, 1 CBM (~
50–250 ocean cost) is the practical minimum.Q: How long does shipping from Thailand to USA take? A: 18–35 days by ocean depending on port; 3–5 days by air.
Ready to import from Thailand? Request a sourcing consultation — TUSKO handles supplier vetting, QC, and door-to-door landed cost quotes.