The document describes Thailand's customs automation systems. It discusses how Thailand implemented an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system in 1998 to automate export clearance and expanded it to cover imports and implement it nationwide by 2000. It then introduced an upgraded "e-Customs" system in 2007 that utilizes the internet and is paperless, providing online clearance for imports and exports. Key parts of the new system include e-Import, e-Export, e-Manifest, e-Payment, and e-Warehouse which allow electronic submission and clearance of customs documents and cargo.

1. 1. Customs Automation System
Prior to the introduction of an automated system, trade-related documents were manually
processed by Customs officers. Given the constraints faced by Thai Customs because of the
increasing volume of international trade and limited number of officers, Customs implemented
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to control all Customs commercial operations by introducing
computer clearance system for exports in 1998. The system has been expanded to cover imports
and fully implemented at seaports and airports nationwide in 2000.
1.1 Key Application Areas
Thai Customs uses ICT to support its administration and business needs in two major areas: service
delivery to importers and exporters; and office automation. The automation of Customs service
delivery to importers/exporters and related operators includes the following main application areas:
goods declaration processing; cargo clearance processing; revenue collection; tax and duty
drawback; collection of trade statistics; and risk management profiles.
An office automation system, on the other hand, is designed to increase the productivity of
Customs administration by supporting the coordinating and communicating activities of Customs
offices. The main application areas of office automation system include, for example, the
Legislation System, the Finance System (GFMIS) and the Human Resources System.
1.2 e-Customs
In recent years, Customs shifted its focus from EDI to an open system philosophy that would
enable it to electronically exchange information by different means with all of its clients
(commercial and non-commercial), partners (other government departments/agencies, both national
and international) and employees. This project required the redesign of all existing client server
applications to shift the existing service delivery to a Web based application, applying ebXML
(electronic business using eXtensible Markup Language) as a standard message.
To build on earlier success, Thai Customs implemented a new generation of Customs computer
automation system known as “e-Customs”. e-Customs utilizes Internet services, and is consistent
with the standards and guidelines expressed in the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). The principal
Customs process and procedures redesigned as part of the e-Customs system included various main
application areas, like cargo control, goods declaration processing, and revenue accounting.
Furthermore, the new Customs computer automation system was also integrated with the systems
of other government agencies and clients, including transport operators, banks, free zone and
warehouse operators. The new system is able to handle various types of Customs services and
clients, provide high security, high availability and quick response times. Apart from integration at
the national level, there is also a project under the framework of ASEAN Strategic Plan for
Customs Development (SPCD) to integrate automation systems among ASEAN members. Ultimately,
a “Single Window” system will make the regulatory process seamless for both import and export
both at the national and regional levels.

2. The “e-Customs” was implemented on 1 January 2007, comprising of e-Import, e-Export, e-
Manifest, e-Payment, and e-Warehouse. It provides clients such as exporters, importers, Customs
brokers and shipping companies with a paperless environment and a one stop service. Clients no
longer submit hard copies of the Customs declaration as well as the air waybill, bill of lading,
invoice, packing list and other supporting documents with some exceptional cases such as licenses
with other government agencies. Under the EDI scheme, several steps such as verification of
classification and valuation were processed by Customs officers; however e-Customs eliminates any
intervention of Customs officers, that is, all the procedures from submission of Customs
declaration to decision of screening under selectivity are processed automatically.
2. e-Import Procedures
Goods imported into Thailand are subject to Customs control until released into “home consumption”
or otherwise treated. The Customs procedures for clearance of imports whether arriving by land,
air, or sea are similar with some slight differences in specific areas. Customs uses computer
technology to carry out its import processing. By using a system called e-Import, Customs brokers
and importers create Customs Declarations in their offices direct from commercial invoices. The
minimum amount of documentation required for Customs clearance comprises :
• An Import Declaration
• An airway bill or bill of lading
• An invoice
• A packing list
• Other documents as required e.g. certificates of origin, licenses or permits for restricted goods
Under the e-Import system, there is no need for relevant parties to submit paper documents as all
data is transmitted electronically from an importer computer system to a Customs computer system
via either VAN or the Internet. Prior to the arrival of cargo or upon the arrival of cargo, a shipping
company/agent forwards a ship arrival report, manifest and container list to the Customs’ computer
system. The Customs computer system then validates the data and reports any error for immediate
online correction. If there is no error, the ship arrival report number is automatically generated by
the system and the response message is forwarded to the shipping company/agent. When the cargo
arrives at the port or place of entry, an importer or a Customs broker forwards an Import
Declaration to the Customs computer system. Again, the Customs computer system validates the
given data and issues a Declaration and Payment Numbers within a minute in conjunction with the
electronic fund transfer payment system or e-payment.

3. Figure 6: e-Import Procedures
After that the importer contacts a warehouse owner for the release of goods. At this stage, cargo
data is screened against predetermined selectivity criteria in order to indicate whether the
declaration is under a Red Line (requiring thorough physical checking) or a Green Line (permission of
release). Green Line Declaration is cleared within a minute. Then, the cargo status is electronically
forwarded to both the Port Authority and the importer/Customs broker. In cases where the cargo
status is categorized as the Green Line, the cargo is released from the warehouse or container
yard. However, in cases where the predetermined selectivity criteria indicates that the cargo is
subject to the Red Line, the Port Authority removes the cargo container for physical inspection by
Customs before the release of the cargo.
3. e-Export Procedures
For the clearance of exports, the export documentation comprises :
• An Export Declaration
• An invoice
• A packing List
• An export license/permit (if applicable)
• Other relevant documents (if applicable)
Similar to the e-Import system, once the export declaration data has been entered into the
Customs computer system it will be subjected to automatic processing, for example, such as data
validation, data matching, release status, etc. and the cargo is released.

4. Figure
6: e-Export Procedures
The export procedures start when an exporter/broker transmits an Export Declaration using eb-
XML via the VAN or the Internet to the Customs computer system. As soon as the Customs
computer system receives the Export Declaration data, such data is preliminary validated. In cases
where the validated data contains no error, the Goods Declaration number is generated in
conjunction with the electronic fund transfer payment system (if export taxes and duties are
applicable.). The response message, then, is transmitted to the exporter/broker.
After that, a freight forwarder loads cargo into containers and forwards a cargo control report to
the Customs computer system. The Customs system validates the data, and reports any error for
immediate online correction. If no error is found, the cargo control report number is automatically
generated by the system and the response message is forwarded to the freight forwarder. The
freight forwarder then prints out the cargo control report with its number and removes the cargo
to the port of exit. At this stage, cargo data is screened against predetermined selectivity criteria
in order to indicate whether the declaration is a Red Line (requiring thorough physical checking) or
a Green Line. The Green Line Declaration is cleared within a minute while the Red Line cargo is
removed for physical inspection.