Thai Customs to inspect all high-risk containers for toxic waste

Thansettakij•Economy•8d ago

Reader Briefing

The Customs Department has implemented physical inspections for all high-risk cargo containers to combat the illegal import of electronic waste and hazardous waste.

•The Customs Department seized 10.29 million kilograms of hazardous waste and electronic waste in fiscal year 2026.
•Physical examinations are now mandatory for all containers declared as scrap metal and other high-risk goods.
•The Customs Department is proposing a long-term ban on the import of scrap metal and scrap rubber.
•Illegal waste shipments were discovered in Rayong and Prachinburi provinces.

Overview

•The Customs Department has mandated physical examinations for all containers declared as scrap metal and high-risk goods instead of relying solely on X-ray images.
•In fiscal year 2026, the Customs Department seized 10.29 million kilograms of hazardous and electronic waste, with 5.29 million kilograms sent back to countries of origin.
•The intensified measures follow orders from Anutin Charnvirakul and Ekniti Nitithanprapas after toxic waste and illegal processing plants were found in Rayong and Prachinburi.
•In Rayong, the Customs Department seized 9 additional containers weighing over 223 tons from the same importer who brought 5 containers from Spain.
•In Prachinburi, the Customs Department seized 5 additional containers weighing nearly 100 tons linked to 8 import containers from the United States.
•Between January and September 2026, Thailand imported 2.76 million tons of scrap iron, aluminum, and copper, averaging 14,600 containers per month.
•The Customs Department is proposing that scrap metal and scrap rubber become prohibited imports, similar to scrap plastic which was banned on January 1, 2025.
•The Customs Department proposed a data exchange mechanism between the Customs Department, Department of Foreign Trade, Pollution Control Department, and Department of Industrial Works.

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Key Entities

Organization

Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)

The agency responsible for inspecting imports and suppressing the illegal import of electronic and hazardous waste.

Basel Action Networkℹ️

A network that provided information to the Customs Department regarding 748 containers.

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)

An agency proposed to participate in a data exchange mechanism to monitor import permits.

Pollution Control Department(กรมควบคุมมลพิษ)ℹ️

An agency proposed to participate in a data exchange mechanism to monitor import permits.

Department of Industrial Works(กรมโรงงานอุตสาหกรรม)

An agency proposed to participate in a data exchange mechanism to monitor import permits.

World Customs Organization(องค์การศุลกากรโลก)ℹ️

The organization whose risk assessment guidelines were used by the Customs Department.

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who ordered strict inspections of ships and cargo containers.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)ℹ️

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance who ordered strict inspections of ships and cargo containers.

Phanthong Loykulnan(พันธ์ทอง ลอยกุลนันท์)

The Director-General of the Customs Department.

Place

Rayong(ระยอง)ℹ️

A province where toxic waste and illegal processing plants were discovered.

Prachinburi(ปราจีนบุรี)ℹ️

A province where toxic waste and illegal processing plants were discovered.

Laem Chabang Port(ท่าเรือแหลมฉบัง)ℹ️

The port where high-risk containers are inspected and controlled.

Law

Customs Act 2017(พระราชบัญญัติศุลกากร พ.ศ. 2560)

The law under which the Customs Department prosecutes offenders.

Policy

Basel Convention(อนุสัญญาบาเซล)ℹ️

The convention used to determine whether goods are considered hazardous waste.