Eastern Seaboard, Thailand
Customs clearance in Eastern Seaboard
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Eastern Seaboard. Customs clearance in Thailand is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Industries in Eastern Seaboard and how we support them
The Eastern Seaboard is the core of Thailand's car industry, with vehicle plants and tier suppliers in industrial estates such as Amata City Chonburi, WHA Eastern Seaboard and Eastern Seaboard Rayong. Map Ta Phut is the country's main petrochemical cluster, and electronics and electric vehicle projects are growing across the Eastern Economic Corridor. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with FCL and LCL sea freight via Laem Chabang, air freight from BKK on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out when an assembly line is waiting for parts and On-Board Couriers for critical tools or prototypes. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Eastern Seaboard
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Laem Chabang Port | FCL and LCL, automotive parts, CKD and finished vehicles | Thailand's largest container port, next to the automotive estates |
| Map Ta Phut Port and industrial estate | Petrochemicals, chemicals, project cargo | Port inside the country's main petrochemical cluster |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), via Motorway 7 | Air freight for the Eastern Seaboard | Main international airport, reachable by motorway |
| Industrial estates in Chonburi and Rayong | Car makers, tier suppliers, electronics, EV projects | Short trucking runs to Laem Chabang |
Airports, seaports and connections in Eastern Seaboard
- AirportSuvarnabhumi
BKK - AirportU-Tapao
UTP - SeaportLaem Chabang
The Eastern Seaboard in Chonburi and Rayong is served by Laem Chabang Port, Thailand's largest container port, and by Map Ta Phut Port, which handles petrochemical and industrial cargo in Rayong. For air freight, most shipments use Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which is reached via Motorway 7. U-Tapao International Airport (UTP) near Rayong is being developed as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor, but today it carries limited international cargo. This combination puts Laem Chabang at the centre of Eastern Seaboard sea freight, with BKK as the air gateway.
Motorway 7 connects Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi with Laem Chabang, Pattaya and the Rayong area, and highways run on to Map Ta Phut and the industrial estates inland. A rail line links Laem Chabang with the Lat Krabang Inland Container Depot near Bangkok. Within the Eastern Economic Corridor, roads connect the estates of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao. We arrange pick-up and delivery across the Eastern Seaboard.
One contact, local customs expertise
Our partner team in Thailand files the declarations locally, under the Ziem Logistics brand. You send documents and questions to our operations desk, which coordinates with the team and keeps you informed.
Customs clearance in Thailand
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Thailand is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Thailand we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Thailand need a 13-digit tax ID registered for customs (paperless) use.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Thailand can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Can customs be cleared directly for containers arriving at Laem Chabang?
Yes. A partner team in the Ziem network clears the goods with the Thai Customs Department at Laem Chabang, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. After release, we deliver the container to your plant on the Eastern Seaboard.
Can you clear goods for companies with BOI privileges or free zone status?
Yes. Many plants in the Eastern Economic Corridor have Board of Investment privileges or operate in free zones, which affect duties on machinery and materials. The declaration must reflect this status, so we need the details on file before the first shipment.
What causes customs delays for automotive parts at Laem Chabang?
Most delays come from incomplete or inconsistent documents, unclear tariff codes or missing permits. We check the invoice, packing list and classification before the vessel arrives, so the declaration can be filed as soon as the data is complete.