How to Import from Thailand to India: ASEAN FTA Benefits, Freight & Customs (2026)

The ASEAN–India FTA (AIFTA) — the free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India, in force since 2010 — allows Thai manufactured goods to enter India at 0–5% Basic Customs Duty versus standard MFN rates of 10–20%, provided the exporter obtains the ASEAN-India FTA Certificate of Origin on Form AI from Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade.

Thailand is ASEAN's second-largest economy and a manufacturing powerhouse for automotive, electronics, and chemical sectors. For Indian importers, the AIFTA represents the single most important duty-saving mechanism on Thai goods. Most manufactured products — auto parts, machinery, rubber products, plastics, and electronics — attract 0–5% BCD under AIFTA compared to 10–20% MFN.

The concession is claimed by submitting the ASEAN-India FTA Certificate of Origin on Form AI (NOT Form D, which is the intra-ASEAN ATIGA Certificate of Origin). Form AI is issued by Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) after the exporter demonstrates that the goods meet the rules of origin. The general criterion is 35–40% regional value content (RVC) — the minimum percentage of a product's value that must originate from within the ASEAN-India FTA region — or a qualifying change in tariff heading for wholly obtained goods.

Importers should note that Form AI must be presented at the time of customs filing; retrospective claims are generally not permitted. The original Form AI or a certified true copy must accompany the Bill of Entry. For a detailed guide on origin documentation, read our ASEAN-India FTA Certificate of Origin guide.

Always verify your exact HS code with CBIC or our HS code finder before you ship.

What is Form AI and how does it differ from Form D?

Form AI is the ASEAN-India FTA Certificate of Origin issued by Thailand's DFT for goods exported to India under the ASEAN-India FTA. Form D is the intra-ASEAN ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement) Certificate of Origin used for trade between ASEAN members only. Indian importers must specifically request Form AI, not Form D, to claim AIFTA concessions at Indian customs.

Sea freight from Laem Chabang (THLCH) or Bangkok to Chennai or JNPT via Singapore or Port Klang transhipment takes 10–16 days ocean transit plus 3–5 days inland to Bengaluru, while air freight from Bangkok (BKK) to BLR delivers in 3–6 days at roughly ₹200–₹400 per kilogram.

Thailand's primary export gateways are Laem Chabang (deep-sea container port) and Bangkok Port (Khlong Toei). There is no direct mainline service from Laem Chabang to Chennai or JNPT; all containers tranship at Singapore, Port Klang, or Colombo. Transhipment adds 2–4 days but provides daily sailing frequency.

For Bengaluru-based importers, the typical routing is Laem Chabang → Singapore/Port Klang → Chennai → road to Bengaluru (350 km, 24–36 hours). Total door-to-door transit is 13–21 days. Via JNPT and ICD Whitefield, transit extends to 15–24 days. Main carriers on the Thailand–India lane include MSC, Maersk, and ONE, with multiple weekly sailings from Laem Chabang.

FCL 20-foot container rates from Laem Chabang to Chennai/JNPT are approximately USD 600–1,100 depending on season, bunker adjustment factor, and carrier contract terms. LCL is charged at approximately USD 45–80 per CBM for smaller shipments. Air freight from Bangkok (BKK) to BLR is served by Thai Cargo, IndiGo CarGo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo, with daily connections via direct or one-stop service. For auto-component manufacturers in Peenya and Hosur, air freight from Bangkok is often used for urgent prototype parts or production-critical components. To plan your shipment, calculate your Thailand import landed cost using our online tool.

Is there a direct sea service from Laem Chabang to Chennai?

No. There is no direct mainline container service from Laem Chabang to Chennai or JNPT. All Thai export containers to India tranship at Singapore, Port Klang, or occasionally Colombo. The transhipment adds 2–4 days to total transit but ensures multiple weekly sailing options. If you need the fastest possible sea freight from Thailand, booking through a carrier with a strong Singapore hub connection is usually quickest.

Thailand is ASEAN's largest auto-component manufacturing hub, producing engine parts, transmission systems, rubber seals, and electronics modules that integrate directly into Bengaluru and Hosur vehicle and EV assembly lines, offering a China-plus-one alternative with ASEAN-India FTA duty benefits that Chinese-origin goods cannot claim.

The Bengaluru-Hosur automotive corridor is one of India's densest vehicle and component manufacturing clusters. As Indian OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers diversify sourcing away from China, Thailand has emerged as the preferred alternative for precision auto components, EV battery management systems, and rubber-based parts.

Key Thai exports to the Bengaluru cluster include: engine and transmission components (HS 8409/8708), braking systems (HS 8708), rubber seals and hoses (HS 4008/4016), and EMS electronics modules (HS 8539/8543). Under AIFTA, these attract 0–5% BCD versus 10–15% MFN, a significant cost advantage.

Critical distinction: China-origin anti-dumping duties do NOT apply to genuinely Thai-origin goods. If a component is manufactured in Thailand with sufficient local value addition and carries a valid Form AI, it is assessed under AIFTA rates. However, goods merely assembled in Thailand from Chinese knock-down kits with insufficient RVC may be rejected for FTA benefits and could attract China ADDs. For importers looking at China-plus-one strategies, read our guide on China to Bengaluru freight (China+1) and import auto parts to India.

Why do Bengaluru auto makers source from Thailand instead of China?

Three reasons: first, the ASEAN-India FTA cuts duty to 0–5% on most Thai auto parts versus 10–20% MFN on Chinese goods; second, many China-origin auto components carry additional anti-dumping duties of 10–50%; third, sea freight from Thailand to Chennai is 10–16 days versus 18–25 days from China, and the regulatory relationship is more stable for long-term supply contracts.

Thai electronics and electrical appliances require BIS CRS (Bureau of Indian Standards Compulsory Registration Scheme) compliance under relevant IS standards, the Form AI Certificate of Origin must pass origin verification at Indian customs, and importers must confirm that goods are genuinely of Thai origin because China-origin anti-dumping duties (ADDs) — additional customs duties imposed on specific products from countries found to be selling below normal value — do not apply to properly certified Thai-made products.

BIS CRS applies to consumer electronics, household appliances, LED lighting, power cables, and wireless devices imported from Thailand. The importer must obtain BIS registration before shipment. Use our check BIS compliance tool to confirm if your product category is on the mandatory list.

Form AI origin verification: Indian customs may conduct origin verification checks on Form AI certificates, especially for high-value shipments or products that are also subject to China ADDs. The importer should retain the manufacturing cost statement and supplier's process flowchart to respond to any customs query within the 30-day response window.

Anti-dumping awareness: if your Thai supplier uses significant Chinese raw materials or sub-components, verify that the finished good still meets the 35–40% RVC threshold. A rejected FTA claim could result in MFN duty plus potential ADD exposure. Sea Air Cargo Systems reviews supplier documentation before shipment to flag origin risks.

Processed food: Thailand is a major exporter of processed seafood, ready-to-eat meals, and nutraceuticals to India. These require FSSAI product approval and LMPC (Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities) labelling on all retail packs. Dairy and meat products need additional health certificates from Thai authorities.

How do customs verify genuine Thai origin under Form AI?

Indian customs verifies Form AI by cross-checking the certificate against DFT records, examining the manufacturing cost statement for regional value content, and occasionally requesting a factory visit or additional documentation. The importer should ensure the Form AI lists the correct HS code, accurately describes the manufacturing process, and is signed by an authorised DFT officer.

Importing from Thailand follows six stages: confirm your HS code and AIFTA rate, obtain Form AI from the Thai Department of Foreign Trade, book sea or air freight, prepare export documents, file a Bill of Entry with the ASEAN-India FTA claim, and pay the concessional duty before taking delivery.

1. Identify HS code and confirm AIFTA concession rate — Determine the correct HS code for your Thai product using the CBIC tariff or our HS code finder. Check the ASEAN-India FTA annexure to confirm the concessional BCD rate versus standard MFN duty.
2. Obtain Form AI Certificate of Origin from Thai DFT — Request your Thai supplier to apply for the ASEAN-India FTA Certificate of Origin on Form AI from Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade. Ensure the goods meet the 35–40% regional value content or wholly-obtained rule.
3. Book sea or air freight from Thailand — Request an all-in freight quote for FCL/LCL sea freight (Laem Chabang/Bangkok to Chennai/JNPT) or air freight (BKK to BLR). Confirm transhipment routing, fuel surcharges, and inland delivery to Bengaluru.
4. Prepare export documentation with Form AI — Ensure your supplier provides: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading or AWB, and the original Form AI Certificate of Origin. Attach BIS or CDSCO certificates if the product requires mandatory Indian certification.
5. File Bill of Entry with ASEAN-India FTA claim — Your CHA files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE with the correct HS code, CIF value, and FTA claim. The Form AI is submitted to customs for origin verification. Thai goods typically clear in 1–2 days at Chennai or 2–3 days at JNPT.
6. Pay concessional duty and take delivery — Pay the concessional BCD plus SWS and IGST via ICEGATE e-payment. If customs raises an origin query, provide the manufacturing cost statement from your Thai supplier. Your CHA coordinates delivery to your Bengaluru facility.