600,000 items were detained
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With the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, more and more countries have begun to strengthen supervision of imported goods.
Recently, a special rectification of unlicensed electronic and electrical products in Thailand has caused many cross-border sellers to panic. This seemingly local law enforcement action is actually a microcosm of the tightening of the global cross-border e-commerce compliance wave - from mature markets to emerging markets, from taxation to product certification, the former "policy depression" is disappearing, and there is really not much time left for sellers to "grow wildly".
This time, the Ministry of Industry of Thailand seized 600,000 items in combination with multiple departments, with a value of over 1.6 million yuan, involving popular categories such as power plugs and mobile power supplies.Most of them come from China.
What makes sellers even more worried is that Thai officials have made clear statements: "Zero tolerance for illegal imported goods, and strictly preventing the influx of illegal goods is more important than tariff negotiations." But this is not a temporary surprise. Looking back over the past two years, Thailand's supervision has been increased layer by layer:
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In the second half of 2023, parcels in many places in Bangkok and Chiang Mai were seized due to undeclared customs declaration, and the intensity of warehousing sampling increased sharply;
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In June 2024, the tax exemption policy for goods below RMB 300 was cancelled, and the "low-price dividend" of China's consumer goods imports was sharply reduced;
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, more than 20,000 unqualified products were investigated and punished, covering multiple categories such as food, cosmetics, electrical appliances, etc.;
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Since 2025, three large-scale special inspections have been launched, from electronic cigarettes to unlicensed appliances, and the scope of supervision has continued to expand.
As a Southeast Asia overseas warehouse manager said: "In the past, we could have 'traveled relationships and recovered goods, but now we have no chance." Thailand's actions are just a "micro" of the tightening of global compliance.
If Thailand is the representative of emerging markets, the compliance upgrades of developed markets are more "radical". From taxation to product certification, to logistics customs clearance, the "compliance cost" of cross-border e-commerce is rising across the board.
1. Taxation: The "end" of the era of small tax exemptions
Once upon a time, small packages worth less than 800 US dollars (US), 150 euros (EU), and 10,000 yen (Japan) could enjoy tax-free discounts, which is the core advantage of many sellers to make "low price and volume". But now, these policies are being intensively cancelled:
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United States: In July this year, all countries will abolish the tax exemption policy for goods under USD 800, and will officially take effect on August 29;
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EU: The bill passed in July, and the tax exemption of less than 150 euros will be cancelled from 2028, and a customs clearance fee of 2 euros per piece will be imposed;
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Japan: It plans to terminate the exemption of consumption tax for goods below 10,000 yen by 2026, and platforms such as Temu, SHEIN are the first to bear the brunt;
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Emerging markets are even more "ruthless": Mexico imposes tariffs of 17%-19% on small goods in non-North America Free Trade Agreement countries from 2025, Vietnam has imposed value-added tax on goods below 290 yuan in February, and Malaysia and Brazil have increased taxes of 10%-20% on small parcels earlier.
"In the past, I didn't have to consider tax when sending a small package. Now, the profit is lower than the tax." A seller who works in the home furnishing category said helplessly.
2. Product Certification: From "Safety" to "Full Life Cycle"
If taxation is a "money issue", then product certification is a "maybe a question of whether it can be sold". Now, the requirements for products in various countries are no longer just "safety":
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EU: All non-food consumer products must designate the person in charge to bear joint and several liability, and digital products must also disclose carbon footprints and maintenance guidelines, and "green compliance" has become a new threshold;
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Indonesia: 26 new categories of SNI compulsory certification products (such as corn starch, car batteries) are added in 2025, and Halal certification is expanded to drugs and cosmetics;
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Thailand: Electronic and electrical products must pass TISI certification, and the 600,000 items deducted this time fell into the "unlicensed".
"In the past, you could sell it by just sticking a label. Now you have to do a lot of certifications. The cycle is long and the cost is high, but if you don't do it, you are not qualified to enter the market." A seller who makes 3C products admitted.
3. Logistics clearance: "Gray Link" completely disappears
"Mixed clearance", "customs declaration", and "general declaration as gifts", these former "customs clearance techniques" have now become "minefields":
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EU: IOSS system will be launched in 2021, and value-added tax will be declared for compulsory, and mixed goods will be taxed at the highest tax rate;
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Canada: In 2023, the goods in the package are required to be listed separately, and mixed packages are subject to a 300% fine without sub-item declaration;
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Southeast Asia: Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are getting more and more frequent assault containers, and packages without customs clearance certificates are checked and accurate.
Faced with the general trend of global compliance tightening, escaping can only be eliminated. What cross-border sellers need to do is to shift from "lucky mentality" to "compliance thinking" and find a path to survival and development in stages.
Domestic markets are the same, and overseas markets are no longer a paradise for "just-making". From the detention of 600,000 items in Thailand to the intensive implementation of compliance policies by various countries, we can clearly see that the "first half" (policy dividend period) of cross-border e-commerce has ended, and the "second half" (compliance deep water zone) has begun.
For sellers, instead of complaining about the high compliance cost, it is better to include "compliance" in their business planning as soon as possible - after all, those who can survive the compliance wave can enjoy long-term market dividends.
