When shipping goods abroad, many exporters often worry about various aspects like packing the goods, preparing export documents, ensuring the safety of the goods, their arrival at the destination, and dealing with taxes, including customs duties and VAT. Taxes are an additional cost in the shipping process, so it's important to plan accordingly and comply with various regulations. Taxes are an inseparable part of international shipping. However, it's good to know that there’s a way to exempt certain goods from taxes when shipping internationally—this is where De Minimis comes into play.

What is De Minimis?

De Minimis refers to the criteria for exemption from import taxes in certain countries. When goods are imported into a country, there’s a threshold or value that determines whether they are exempt from taxes. Goods below this threshold will be exempt from import duties. Generally, countries impose import duties to protect and regulate their domestic industries from foreign goods. Understanding De Minimis can help businesses and international sellers avoid unnecessary costs when planning to import or export goods.

What is the De Minimis Threshold in Different Countries?

The De Minimis value varies from country to country based on each nation’s policies and economic conditions. Simply put, if the value of the goods being shipped falls below the De Minimis threshold set by a country, no import duties will be imposed. Here are examples of the De Minimis values in some countries: Thailand: 1,500 THB Germany: EUR 150 (approx. 5,860 THB) United States: USD 200 (approx. 6,660 THB) Japan: JPY 10,000 (approx. 3,020 THB)

Example:

Mr. A, a seller in Thailand, ships goods worth 5,000 THB (or approximately 150 USD) to Mr. B, a buyer in the United States. Since the De Minimis threshold in the United States is set at 200 USD (approximately 6,660 THB), this shipment falls below the threshold and is exempt from import taxes in the United States.

De Minimis, or the exemption criteria for import duties, is a guideline that helps international businesses, exporters, and sellers plan for shipping costs. By understanding these exemptions, businesses can avoid unnecessary tax expenses. If you’re looking to ship goods abroad and need advice on taxes or customs, CPLINTER is happy to offer consultations. We provide shipping services via air, land, and sea, including packaging, document preparation for exports, and customs procedures for both imports and exports.

If you are interested in exporting or importing goods, feel free to contact CPLINTER at 02-519-4426, 063-519-4426, or 091-519-4426. You can also reach us via Line @cplinter or visit www.cplinter.com for more information. If you're planning to export goods and want the process to run smoothly, send us the details of your goods for a pre-check. Please fill out the information so our staff can contact you, or chat directly with us via Line ID: @cplinter.