Bangkok:The Thai Customs Department has ramped up its inspection protocols for container shipments declared as metal scrap, following the discovery of illegal electronic waste in the Rayong and Prachinburi provinces.
According to Thai News Agency, Phantong Loykulnand, the Director-General of the Thai Customs Department, revealed that in the fiscal year 2026, authorities had seized 10.29 million kilograms of hazardous waste and electronic waste. Of this, 5.29 million kilograms have been sent back to their countries of origin, with the expenses borne by the importers.
The enhanced inspection measures have been introduced as a response to smugglers exploiting the legal import status of metal scrap to illegally bring in banned electronic waste. Between January and September 2026, Thailand imported 2.76 million tonnes of metal scrap, which equates to an average of approximately 14,600 containers per month.
Under the new protocols, customs officials will conduct physical unpacking and inspection of all high-risk containers and metal scrap shipments. This is a shift from the previous reliance on X-ray imaging, which often fails to effectively penetrate dense metal piles.
Additionally, the Customs Department is collaborating with other government agencies to propose a complete ban on the importation of metal scrap and rubber scrap, similar to the existing ban on plastic scrap. The transition plan for this proposal spans 6 to 12 months to mitigate its impact on domestic smelting and processing industries. During this period, imports will be permitted only with official authorization for processing plants that use the materials directly, limited to their production capacity, and subject to mandatory pre-shipment inspections.