Thai Customs Plans Shift to Per-Unit Fines for Vapes at THB 100 Per Item

Key Takeaways

• Thai Customs announced on March 18, 2026 that it had seized more than 27.3 million foreign cigarettes and 205,445 vape products and devices in mid-February, valued at more than THB 169 million (approximately USD 5.408 million,).
• The department said illicit cigarettes account for about 25% of national tobacco consumption and cause annual state revenue losses of more than THB 30 billion (approximately USD 960 million,).
• Thai Customs said it handled nearly 2,000 consumer protection cases in the past 120 days, seizing nearly 30 million illicit cigarettes and more than 200,000 vape products.
• Thailand is described as a transit point for illicit cigarette and vape smuggling, with more than 90% of illicit cigarette imports concentrated in the southern border region.
• Thai Customs plans to move to per-item fines for vape products, with an initial proposed rate of THB 100 per item (approximately USD 3.20,).

 2Firsts, March 19, 2026

According to Khaosod, Thai Customs announced on March 18 that in mid-February it seized more than 27.3 million foreign cigarettes and 205,445 vape products and related devices, with a total value of more than THB 169 million (approximately USD 5.408 million, based on 1 THB = 0.032 USD). The department said the result reflected concrete cooperation among state agencies in cracking down on illegal goods.

More than 27.3 million cigarettes and 205,445 vape products seized in mid-February

Thai Customs said that during the first 120 days under the current director-general, it handled nearly 2,000 consumer protection cases and seized nearly 30 million illicit cigarettes and more than 200,000 vape products. The latest major seizure involved damage approaching THB 170 million (approximately USD 5.44 million,).

Phanthong Loikulnan, director-general of Thai Customs, said that combating illicit cigarettes is not only about “seizing illegal goods” but also about “protecting the national economy.” He said the illicit cigarette problem is driven by both demand and supply, and that some cigarette products have real costs below THB 1 per stick (approximately USD 0.032,), making tax and profit differentials a key incentive for illegal trade.

Illegal cigarettes account for about 25% of tobacco consumption and over THB 30 billion in annual revenue losses

Thai Customs said that although smuggling methods continue to evolve as the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal products, the latest data show that illicit cigarettes account for about 25% of all tobacco consumption in the country, causing damage to state revenue of more than THB 30 billion per year (approximately USD 960 million,), while also being linked to transnational criminal networks.

The department also said Thailand is being used as a transit point for illicit cigarette and vape smuggling because it has linked land, sea and air transport routes and high-capacity logistics hubs such as Laem Chabang Port and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Customs data indicate that more than 90% of illicit cigarette smuggling is concentrated in the southern border region, especially in Songkhla, Satun and Phatthalung provinces.

For vape products, the department said they mainly originate from China, enter Thailand through Khlong Toei Port and checkpoints in the northeast, and are then stored in Bangkok and surrounding areas before being distributed through online channels covering more than 95% of the country or through other transport methods to end customers.

Thai Customs plans per-item vape fines of THB 100 instead of value-based penalties

Phanthong Loikulnan said that because Thailand handles more than 13.2 million import and export containers and more than 300 million postal parcels annually, it is impossible to inspect every item. Thai Customs is therefore combining intelligence work with scanning technology, artificial intelligence and big data to improve risk screening and target enforcement more accurately.

The department also said it is revising vape-related penalties to close loopholes tied to under-declared product values. Instead of value-based fines, it plans to move to per-item fines. The initial framework proposes a fine of THB 100 per vape item (approximately USD 3.20,), though the measure is still being revised.

On disposal, Thai Customs said large volumes of seized vape products have become a state risk because lithium batteries may cause heat buildup and fires if destroyed improperly. Authorities therefore need to separate circuits and batteries for specialised disposal, which is costly and time-consuming. Relevant agencies aim to clear accumulated seized goods before Songkran to reduce storage fire and environmental risks.

Thai Customs said its 2026 goal is to reduce illicit cigarette and vape smuggling significantly through stronger inter-agency coordination, intensified enforcement in sensitive areas, and updated penalty standards.

Image source: Khaosod