Thailand: Notification of the Ministry of Finance exempting import duties for major BEV partsAuto Draft

In brief

On 25 May 2023, the Notification of the Ministry of Finance on Duty Exemption for Parts of Electric Vehicle or Battery-powered Electric Boats (“Notification“) was published in the Royal Gazette. The Notification became effective on 26 May 2023.

This Notification is to further promote the domestic production of electric vehicles (EV) in Thailand as well as to develop and strengthen the domestic EV supply chain.

The Notification exempts import duties of the following nine main parts, which will be used in domestic manufacturing or assembly of battery EVs (BEVs) or battery-powered electric boats (excluding modified BEVs or electric boats).

1. Battery
2. Traction motor
3. Compressor for BEV
4. Battery Management System (BMS)
5. Driving control system
6. On-board charger
7. DC/DC converter
8. Inverter (including PCU inverter)
9. Reduction gear

In addition, this Notification also covers the situation where one of these nine main parts is assembled with other parts in the above nine main parts at the time of importation.

The tax incentives apply to the importation of the parts made between 26 May 2023 to 31 December 2025. The imported parts must be completely used within one year from the importation (extendable for up to six months upon approval from the Director-General of the Customs Department) and must be certified by Thailand Automotive Institute as the parts for the manufacturing or assembly of BEVs or battery-powered electric boats. The importer is also required to obtain an approval in principle of the duty exemption privilege prior to the importation. The details of the customs procedures are to be further prescribed in the Customs Department’s notification.