💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Thailand is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
China to Thailand Sea Freight — how the lane runs
Sea Freight into Thailand runs through Laem Chabang, Bangkok (Klong Toey), Songkhla. Clearance is by Thai Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร) and typical dwell before release is 2–5 days.
Thailand is a short-haul lane: Shenzhen and Guangzhou both run daily air departures into Suvarnabhumi, and Laem Chabang is only 5–9 days from Shekou or Nansha. A land option also exists via the R3A road corridor through Laos, which is sometimes cheaper than air for semi-urgent cargo.
Route facts
| Destination country | Thailand |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Laem Chabang, Bangkok (Klong Toey), Songkhla |
| Transit, China to gateway | 5–9 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 2–5 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Bangkok — capital, largest consumer market and customs-broker base. Via BKK air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Samut Prakan — industrial belt south-east of Bangkok, heavy on plastics and auto parts. Via BKK air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Chonburi — port province and the main warehousing cluster for imported cargo. Via Laem Chabang sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Rayong — Eastern Economic Corridor petrochemical and electronics zone. Via Laem Chabang sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Chiang Mai — northern commercial centre, handicraft and agri-processing base. Via CNX air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Phuket — tourism economy, high demand for hospitality and F&B supplies. Via HKT air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Khon Kaen — Isan regional hub and inland distribution point. Via BKK air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Nakhon Ratchasima — north-east gateway city with growing logistics parks. Via Laem Chabang sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Hat Yai — southern trading city on the Malaysian border. Via Songkhla sea / BKK air; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Ayutthaya — industrial estates serving electronics and automotive assembly. Via BKK air / Laem Chabang sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Pattaya — tourism and retail demand centre close to the main port. Via Laem Chabang sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Udon Thani — northern Isan retail hub with Laos cross-border trade. Via BKK air; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for Thailand
VAT 7%; duty 0–30%, and 0% on most lines with an ACFTA Form E. The de-minimis position is THB 1,500 (VAT now applies to low-value imports).
Conformity: TISI standard mark for regulated goods; NBTC approval for radio devices; Thai FDA for food, cosmetics and supplements.
Known friction points: Cosmetics, supplements and food need Thai FDA registration held by the consignee before arrival. Used machinery, secondhand goods and e-cigarettes are restricted or banned. Batteries move on approved air channels only.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Thailand
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Thai Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร) or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Thailand — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Laem Chabang, Bangkok (Klong Toey), Songkhla |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Thai Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | THB 1,500 (VAT now applies to low-value imports) |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 7%; duty 0–30%, and 0% on most lines with an ACFTA Form E |
| Local currency | THB |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 2–5 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | TISI standard mark for regulated goods; NBTC approval for radio devices; Thai FDA for food, cosmetics and supplements |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Thailand. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Sea freight to Thailand prices by CBM or container — plan your 20GP/40GP/40HQ loading in 3D, compare utilization, and see exactly how many cartons fit before you commit to a booking.
Open Container Planner →✅ Thailand Sea Freight Checklist
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in Thailand or only ocean freight.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
- Confirm whether your Thailand rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Thailand take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 2–5 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Thailand?
Clearance is handled by Thai Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร). The regime is: VAT 7%; duty 0–30%, and 0% on most lines with an ACFTA Form E, with a de-minimis position of THB 1,500 (VAT now applies to low-value imports). Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
When does capacity tighten on the China–Thailand lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Book 1–2 weeks earlier in these periods.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) and charge the greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Thailand?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Laem Chabang, Bangkok (Klong Toey), Songkhla. Surcharges apply.
What certification is needed to import into Thailand?
For regulated goods, plan for: TISI standard mark for regulated goods; NBTC approval for radio devices; Thai FDA for food, cosmetics and supplements. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Thai Customs Department (กรมศุลกากร), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
⭐ Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to Thailand with us.
🇹🇭 Thailand
We tested this lane to Thailand with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Thailand for mixed cartons. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. Theo doi lo hang ro rang trong suot qua trinh.
We tested this lane to Thailand with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Thailand through this team. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Thailand. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Thailand. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Thailand through this team. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
This was a DDP shipment to Thailand for mixed cartons. The handover and document checks were efficient. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We tested this lane to Thailand with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to Thailand for mixed cartons. The handover and document checks were efficient. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We tested this lane to Thailand with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Thailand for mixed cartons. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
Very reliable for importing electronics. The declared value process was handled professionally and duties were prepaid.
Delivery was a few days behind schedule but goods arrived in perfect condition. The DDP coverage was genuinely all-inclusive.
Great tracking visibility throughout the shipment. The team answered questions promptly via WhatsApp.
Solid option for sea freight. Communication could be slightly faster but no major issues.
Communication was a bit slow at times. The actual shipment was fine but I had to follow up several times for updates.
Shipment arrived on schedule with zero issues at customs. DDP pricing was exactly as quoted, no surprise charges. Highly recommend.
The pricing is fair and the process is straightforward. Took a bit longer than estimated but no damage to goods.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Thailand
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Bangkok BKK air / Laem Chabang sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Samut Prakan BKK air / Laem Chabang sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Chonburi Laem Chabang sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Rayong Laem Chabang sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Chiang Mai CNX air / Laem Chabang sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Phuket HKT air / Laem Chabang sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Khon Kaen BKK air / Laem Chabang sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Nakhon Ratchasima Laem Chabang sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Hat Yai Songkhla sea / BKK air inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Ayutthaya BKK air / Laem Chabang sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Pattaya Laem Chabang sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Udon Thani BKK air inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
Shipping Thailand cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Baby Products Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Bathroom Accessories Consumer Goods & Gifts
- E-commerce Fulfilment E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Bearings Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Automation Equipment General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Electronics Manufacturing Equipment Specialised Production Machinery
- Generators New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Parts Automotive & Vehicles
- Prefabricated Building Building Materials & Construction Products
- Plumbing Products Building Materials & Construction Products
- Injection Molded Parts Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Art Ceramics Glass & Ceramic Products
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.