Chinese EV imports to Thailand surge 138% in September

Matichon•Economy•15d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand saw a significant increase in electric vehicle imports from China in September 2026, potentially driven by proposed tax changes.

•EV imports in September 2026 rose by 138.19% to a value of 421.01 million USD.
•China accounted for 98.74% of the electric vehicle import value.
•The Ministry of Finance has proposed an excise tax of at least 30% on CBU EVs starting January 1, 2027.

•In September 2026, passenger car and truck imports grew by 129.4%, reaching a value of 475.83 million USD.
•Electric vehicle imports in September 2026 were valued at 421.01 million USD, an increase of 138.19% from the previous month.
•China contributed 98.74% of the electric vehicle import value, followed by South Korea at 0.67% and Japan at 0.25%.
•Internal combustion engine passenger car imports decreased by 81.58% to a value of 2.60 million USD.
•Imports of electric vehicles have expanded continuously for six months since April 2026.
•Nanthaphong Jiralertphong attributed the surge to domestic demand and the expansion of Chinese EV brands in Thailand.
•The Ministry of Finance proposed an excise tax of at least 30% on fully imported electric vehicles starting January 1, 2027.
•Nanthaphong Jiralertphong noted the proposed tax hike may have caused an acceleration of imports in September.

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Nanthaphong Jiralertphong

"Consistent with the increasing domestic demand for EVs and the expansion of Chinese electric vehicle brands in the Thai market."

สอดคล้องกับความต้องการ EV ในประเทศที่เพิ่มขึ้น และการขยายตัวของแบรนด์รถยนต์ไฟฟ้าจีนในตลาดไทย

Nanthaphong Jiralertphong(นันทพงษ์ จิระเลิศพงษ์)

Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

Trade Policy and Strategy Office(สำนักงานนโยบายและยุทธศาสตร์การค้า (สนค.))

An agency under the Ministry of Commerce.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The ministry overseeing the Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry that proposed adjusting excise taxes on imported electric vehicles.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The body to which the excise tax proposal was submitted.

China(จีน)ℹ️

A major source of electric vehicle imports to Thailand.

Singapore(สิงคโปร์)ℹ️

A source of passenger car and truck imports.

Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

A source of imports for both internal combustion engine and electric vehicles.

South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️

A source of electric vehicle imports.

Excise Tax on Fully Imported Electric Vehicles(ภาษีสรรพสามิตรถยนต์ไฟฟ้านำเข้าทั้งคัน)

A proposed tax of at least 30% starting January 1, 2027.