Bangkok: The government has issued four stricter regulations, now in effect, requiring that the import of animal feed corn and wheat in 2026 must include a certificate stating that the crop is free from burning, along with documentation detailing the production source and other relevant evidence.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Airin Phanrit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Department of International Trade, Ministry of Commerce, has issued four regulations concerning the import of animal feed corn and wheat for use as animal feed raw materials for 2026. These regulations, effective from January 1, 2026, aim to systematically regulate the import of animal feed raw materials, protect public health, and upgrade the standards of Thai products in accordance with government policy. All four regulations are consistent with the resolutions of the National Corn Policy and Management Committee and have been approved by the Cabinet.
The first regulation is the Ministry of Commerce Announcement Regarding the Designation of Animal Feed Corn as a Commodity Requiring Certification and Import Regulation Measures into the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2568 (2025). This regulation specifically designates the import of animal feed corn that is free from burning practices. This is a new law that adds environmental conditions, stipulating that imported animal feed corn used as animal feed raw material must come from production sources or agricultural practices that do not use burning in the cultivation process.
'These measures aim to reduce transboundary haze and PM 2.5 pollution, support environmentally friendly agriculture, and upgrade agricultural supply chain standards to align with global trade trends. Importers are required to prepare documents, production source information, and relevant evidence to demonstrate that imported goods meet the legally mandated non-burning requirements.'
There are two types of documents required for customs clearance upon import. To minimize disruption to imports during the initial adjustment period, importers can initially use a "Self-Certification Letter" using the prescribed form, which must include information on cultivation, farm location, and import quantity for traceability. Alternatively, they can use "documents issued by an authorized government agency of the exporting country, or by an agency or institution accredited or delegated by the exporting country, or by an internationally recognized organization" to facilitate trade. Importers must retain such information and documents for 5 years for traceability. A Competent Authority (CA) of Thailand, designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, will publish the list of authorized agencies in the exporting country that issue such documents.
The second and third regulations include the Ministry of Commerce Announcement on the Importation of Corn Used as Animal Feed Raw Material into the Kingdom under the ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement for the year 2026 (B.E. 2568), and the Ministry of Commerce Regulation on Issuing Certificates Demonstrating Eligibility for Tariff Payment under the Agreement on Agriculture under the World Trade Organization (WTO) for Animal Feed Corn in 2026 (B.E. 2568). These regulations are a continuation of the previous year's legislation and are intended to serve as tools for managing the market and import volumes in line with domestic production conditions.
By utilizing the preferential tariff treatment under the ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTA/ATIGA) in 2026, unlimited imports of animal feed corn originating from and directly shipped from ASEAN member countries will be permitted at a 0% tariff rate. However, the import period for general importers will be reduced to 5 months (from February 1st to June 30th, 2026) to avoid impacting Thai farmers' animal feed corn production during the main growing season, as per the Cabinet resolution of November 11th, 2025. The requirements for documents proving origin or related documents, import ports, and the provision allowing the Public Warehouse Organization to import throughout the year will remain unchanged.
The use of preferential tariff treatment under WTO obligations in 2026 has improved the eligibility criteria for importers and expanded the import quota within the WTO from the previous limit of 54,700 tons per year for the Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) to 1 million tons per year for both the PWO and general importers, as per the Cabinet resolution of November 11, 2025. The Ministry of Finance will issue the announcement determining the import tariff rates.
The fourth regulation, the Ministry of Commerce's regulation on applying for and granting permission to import wheat into the Kingdom for the year 2026 (2025 B.E.), follows the same approach as the previous year to ensure sufficient and continuous raw materials for the animal feed industry. It does not add any new significant policy conditions like the case of animal feed corn.
The government advises importers to prioritize the new regulations regarding burn-free animal feed corn, as these new laws involve more detailed documentation and inspection procedures. In particular, preparations are being made to adjust the supply chain system and rigorously verify the origin of the product to comply with the new requirements of the announcement, which applies to all imports of animal feed corn. Other regulations, meanwhile, remain within the familiar framework that businesses are already accustomed to.