Thailand has exempted certification fees for tobacco products under two key regulatory frameworks, reducing administrative burdens for manufacturers and importers of cigarette and cigar products.
Thailand Cuts Certification Fees for Tobacco
Manufacturers and importers of cigarettes and cigars no longer pay certification fees.
What changed
Certification fees exempted for tobacco products under the Ministerial Regulation on Exemption of Fees for the Certificate.
Ingredient and emission reporting required for cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products under new standards.
HS codes covered include 240110, 240120, 240210, 240220, 240399 and others for tobacco products and components.
Who it affects
Cigarette manufacturers must comply with ingredient and emission reporting but pay no certification fees.
Cigar manufacturers are exempt from certification fees under the new regulation.
Importers of tobacco products benefit from reduced administrative costs for covered HS codes.
Compliance Answer: Thailand’s Exemption of Certification Fees for Tobacco Products
Thailand has introduced a temporary exemption of certification fees for tobacco products (cigarettes and cigars) under two key ministerial regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The exemption applies specifically to fees associated with the issuance of certificates for compliance with ingredient and emissions standards, reducing administrative costs for manufacturers and importers from 24 May 2025 to 22 May 20291. This measure aligns with broader regulatory reforms to strengthen tobacco control while easing financial burdens during a transitional period.
Regulation Analysis
1. Regulatory Frameworks Governing the Exemption
The exemption is governed by two ministerial regulations:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministerial Regulation Re: Regulate on Ingredients and Emissions of Tobacco Products (Cigarette and Cigar), Method of Report and Certificate B.E. 2567 (2024) | Establishes mandatory limits for tar (≤10 mg/stick), nicotine (≤1 mg/stick), and carbon monoxide (≤10 mg/stick) in cigarettes and cigars. Requires manufacturers/importers to submit product samples for testing, disclose ingredient/emissions data, and obtain certificates2. | Enters into force on 24 May 2025, except Articles 4–5 (ingredient/emissions standards), which take effect on 23 May 20292. | Office of Tobacco Products Control Committee, Department of Disease Control, MOPH2. |
| Ministerial Regulation Re: Exemption of Fees for the Certificate Under the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567 (2024) B.E. 2568 (2025) | Exempts fees for certificate issuance under the 2024 Regulation for a 4-year period (24 May 2025–22 May 2029), covering compliance with Articles 4 (additives) and 5 (emissions)1. | Exemption period: 24 May 2025–22 May 20291. | Office of Tobacco Products Control Committee, MOPH1. |
2. Key Provisions and Compliance Obligations
A. Standards for Ingredients and Emissions
- Tar: Maximum 10 mg per stick2.
- Nicotine: Maximum 1 mg per stick2.
- Carbon monoxide: Maximum 10 mg per stick2.
- Additives: Any substance used as an additive in tobacco products must comply with restrictions under Article 4 of the 2024 Regulation2.
B. Certification and Reporting Requirements
- Certificate Issuance: Manufacturers/importers must obtain a certificate confirming compliance with ingredient/emissions standards. The fee for this certificate is exempted from 24 May 2025 to 22 May 20291.
- Public Disclosure: Lists of ingredients and emissions must be publicly disclosed2, as mandated by Section 37 of the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017)2.
- Sample Submission: Tobacco product samples must be submitted to the MOPH for testing2.
C. Transitional Provisions
- Delayed Enforcement: Articles 4 (additives) and 5 (emissions) of the 2024 Regulation will not enter into force until 23 May 2029, despite the rest of the regulation taking effect on 24 May 20252. This aligns with the 4-year fee exemption period1.
D. Authority and Enforcement
- Primary Authority: The Office of Tobacco Products Control Committee (under the Department of Disease Control, MOPH) is responsible for enforcement, certification, and compliance monitoring1, 2.
- Secondary Authority: The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) serves as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point for notifications and comments2.
3. Rationale for the Exemption
The fee exemption was introduced to:
- Reduce Administrative Burdens: Lower costs for manufacturers/importers during the transition to stricter ingredient/emissions standards1.
- Align with WHO FCTC: Support Thailand’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which requires state parties to implement measures for ingredient/emissions control and public disclosure2.
- Phased Implementation: Provide a 4-year window (2025–2029) for industry adaptation before full enforcement of Articles 4–5 in 20291, 2.
Summary Answer
Thailand has exempted certification fees for tobacco products (cigarettes and cigars) from 24 May 2025 to 22 May 2029 under the Ministerial Regulation Re: Exemption of Fees for the Certificate B.E. 2568 (2025)1. This exemption applies to certificates required for compliance with ingredient and emissions standards set forth in the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567 (2024), which mandates limits for tar (≤10 mg/stick), nicotine (≤1 mg/stick), and carbon monoxide (≤10 mg/stick)2. While the 2024 Regulation enters into force on 24 May 2025, its Articles 4 (additives) and 5 (emissions) will only become enforceable on 23 May 2029, coinciding with the end of the fee exemption period2. The exemption aims to ease financial burdens on industry during the transition to stricter controls, in line with Thailand’s obligations under the WHO FCTC1, 2. Enforcement and certification are overseen by the Office of Tobacco Products Control Committee1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ Ministerial Regulation Re: Exemption of Fees for the Certificate Under the Ministerial Regulation Re: Regulate on Ingredients and Emissions of Ingredients of Tobacco Products (Cigarette and Cigar), Method of Report and Certificate B.E. 2568 (2025). _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN25/THA782.DOCX
- ↩ Ministerial Regulation RE: Regulate on Ingredient and Emissions of Ingredient of Tobacco Products (Cigarette and Cigar), Method of Report and Certificate B.E. 2567 (2024) _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN25/THA757.DOCX