The Eastern Economic Corridor or as known as the Eastern Economic Corridor Development Project (“EEC”) is one of the strategic plans under Thailand 4.0 policy. It has been further developed from the Eastern Seaboard Development Program which was under operation for over 30 years.
On 10 May 2018, the Eastern Special Development Zone Act B.E. 2561 (2018) was promulgated in order to govern and promote the EEC. The idea was that if the region undergoes a continuous and systematic development in line with the principle of sustainable development, it will, in turn, enhance the country’s competitiveness, particularly in respect of the promotion of the engagement of commercial and industrial activities that apply advanced and modern technologies.
On 28 October 2019, the Customs Department promulgated the Announcement of the Customs Department no. 204/2562 Re: the Customs Clearance Protocol at the E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone within the Special Economic Zone (“Announcement”). Such Announcement specified procedures for the establishment of E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone, permission for the operation of electronic commerce in the Duty-Free Zone, Customs Clearance Protocol for E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone, for goods traded through electronic commerce mean in the E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone within the EEC area.
The key benefit of conducting activities through the E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone in the EEC area is the goods which are imported through the E-Commence Duty-Free Zone will have a period of time for filing of the custom duties for not more than 14 days from the date of importation and if such goods have been either stayed or exported and brought back into the E-Commerce Duty-Free Zone within 14 days from the date of importation, the entrepreneur could cancel the import of such goods without paying any customs duties.
This Announcement will be a benefit to foreign investors who would like to conduct their business activities through the E-Commence Duty-Free Zone in the EEC area.
Author: Panisa Suwanmatajarn, Krerktanes Suwanprasit and Anon Chanrueng