Import from Thailand to USA: Customs & CBP 2026
CBP clears more than 30 million commercial entries a year. Yours is one line item in that stream. The difference between a 4-hour release and a 3-week exam hold is almost always paperwork — not the product. Here is the CBP playbook for Thai imports in 2026.
The 5 filings that get your container off the pier
- Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) — 24 hours before vessel loading in Laem Chabang or Bangkok Port
- Entry / Entry Summary (CF-7501) — filed by your broker via ABI
- Commercial invoice with correct HS code — MPF and HMF calculated here
- Certificate of Origin — Form A no longer required; a manufacturer declaration is enough for MFN Thai goods
- Duty and tax deposit — usually via ACH from your broker's account
Miss ISF and you get a $5,000 penalty per violation. It is the single most common mistake first-time importers make.
Duty math on a real Thailand-to-USA container
Say you ship $50,000 FOB of stainless kitchenware (HS 7323.93):
- MFN duty: 2% = ,000
- Merchandise Processing Fee: 0.3464% = 73
- Harbor Maintenance Fee: 0.125% = $62.50
- Section 301: $0 (Thailand-origin, not China)
Total government charges: ~
,235 or 2.5% of FOB. The Section 301 savings alone (25% avoided) is why so many US importers are moving to Thailand — see our Section 301 workaround guide.What triggers a CBP exam
- Random selection (~2% of entries)
- HTS misclassification history in your importer record
- New importer of record with no history
- Anti-dumping / countervailing duty (AD/CVD) risk categories
- FDA, USDA, CPSC hold interactions
The CF-28 request and how to answer it
If CBP wants more info, they send a CF-28 Request for Information. You have 30 days. Ignore it and they issue a CF-29 Notice of Action, usually reclassifying your goods to a higher duty rate. Answer fast with your production records, mill certs, and MSDS.
FAQ
Do I need an EIN or an SSN to import from Thailand?
You need an IRS-issued EIN (or a CBP-assigned importer number). Individuals can import under an SSN for personal use, but any commercial entry needs an EIN.
Can my Thai factory be the Importer of Record?
Technically yes with a foreign IOR, but it requires a US-based customs bond and a resident agent for service of process. In practice, 99% of US buyers act as their own IOR.
How much is a customs bond?
A single-entry bond costs about 1% of the entered value plus duties. A continuous bond runs $400–600 per year and covers unlimited entries — worth it after your second shipment.
What is the de minimis threshold for Thailand?
Currently $800 per person per day under Section 321. Shipments above trigger formal entry. The threshold is under legislative review — do not build a business model around it.
How long does CBP hold a compliant Thai container?
Typical release is 4–24 hours after vessel arrival at LA/LB, Oakland, Seattle, or Houston. Add 24–72 hours for FDA or USDA line release if applicable.