Database

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TAIWAN

Since March 1997
Since December 2015

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Taiwan is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods

TAIWAN

Since May 1999, last amended in August 2012

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Regulations Governing the Participation of Foreign Suppliers in the Procurement not Subject to any Treaties or Agreements (外國廠商參與非條約協定採購處理辦法)
Art. 5 of the "Regulations Governing the Participation of Foreign Suppliers in the Procurement Not Subject to Any Treaties or Agreements" provides that, when a procurement project not subject to any treaty or agreement, the procuring agency may, based on actual needs, decide whether foreign suppliers are allowed to participate. Art. 2 further provides that, in procurements subject to a treaty or agreement, the procuring agency may decide whether to allow suppliers from countries not party to such treaty or agreement to participate.
Coverage Horizontal

TAIWAN

Reported in 2023, last reported in 2025

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Ban on Chinese-made ICT goods, TikTok and DeepSeek
Since 2022, Taiwan has enforced a ban on the use of Chinese-made electronics across central and local government agencies, public schools, state-owned enterprises, and contractors operating within official networks. This measure is grounded in the Executive Yuan’s directive titled "Principles on Restricting the Use of Products That Endanger National Cyber Security," originally issued in April 2019 and revised in November 2022. Although the directive does not explicitly mention China or specific companies such as Huawei, TP-Link, DJI, or Hikvision, it provides a regulatory basis for excluding ICT products deemed to pose cybersecurity risks.
Additionally, in December 2022, Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) banned TikTok, Douyin (its Chinese counterpart), and Xiaohongshu from all public sector communication devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers. These applications were classified as “harmful products against national information security” due to concerns over potential data access by the Chinese government and the risk of foreign influence operations. The ban was prompted by warnings from U.S. agencies, including the FBI, regarding the risks associated with TikTok’s data practices and algorithm. Although the measure currently applies only to government-issued devices, MODA is reportedly assessing the possibility of extending the restriction to the private sector.
On 31 January 2025, the Ministry of Digital Affairs imposed restrictions preventing government agencies and critical infrastructure operators from utilising DeepSeek’s products.
Coverage Chinese-made ICT goods, TikTok, and DeepSeek

TAIWAN

Since May 1998, last amended in May 2019

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Government Procurement Act (政府採購法)
Art. 43 of the of the Government Procurement Act allows procuring entities to include in tender evaluations suppliers’ commitments to support domestic economic objectives, including local production, technology transfer, inward investment, or export promotion, provided these commitments do not exceed one third of the total evaluation weight. Art. 44 permits entities to award contracts preferentially to local suppliers who supply goods with at least 50% local value added or deliver services locally, even when a foreign supplier offers the lowest bid, so long as the awarded price does not exceed that bid by more than 3%, and the preference is justified by employment or industrial development policies and limited to a five-year period. These provisions apply only to procurements that are not subject to international treaties or agreements to which Taiwan is a party, such as the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since 2019

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Thailand has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since 2001

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Thailand has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since January 1955, last amended in March 1992
Since May 2011

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Radio Communication Act (No. 3), 1992 (พรบ. วิทยุคมนาคม (ฉบับที่ 3) พ.ศ. 2535)

Notification of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission regarding the Exportation of Radio Communication Equipment, 2011 (ประกาศคณะกรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ เรื่อง การค้าเครื่องวิทยุคมนาคม)
According to Section 6 of the Radio Communication Act, any persons who wish to export radio communication devices or any ancillary devices into the Kingdom are required to obtain a license. The telecommunications devices required to obtain a license include a radio modem, base station, cellular repeater, antenna, FM transmitter, GPS Tracking, among others. According to Section 9, the import license is valid for 180 days after issuance, and those who violate the law shall be liable to a fine, imprisonment, or both. In addition, the Notification of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Export of Radio Communication Equipment 2011 includes the requirements that the exporters must follow, including fee payment and document preparation.
Coverage Radiocommunication and telecommunications equipment

THAILAND

Last reported in 2025

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Reported lack of compulsory product certification
It is reported that no compulsory assessment procedure is in place to certify electronic products.
Coverage Electronic products

THAILAND

Since January 1956, as amended in March 2006
Since November 2010

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
Commercial Registration Act, 1956 (พระราชบัญญัติ ทะเบียน พาณิชย์ พ.ศ. 2499)

Notification of the Ministry of Commerce regarding Requirements for the Business Operators to Register their Businesses (No. 11), 2010 (ประกาศกระทรวงพาณิชย์ เรื่อง ให้ผู้ประกอบพาณิชยกิจต้องจดทะเบียนพาณิชย์ (ฉบับที่ 11) พ.ศ. 2553)
According to Clause 5 of the Ministry of Commerce's Notification (No. 11) 2010, a website that includes the transaction of goods and services must register the 'E-Commercial Registration' under the Commercial Registration Act 1956 (amended by the Commercial Registration Act (No. 2) in 2006). Therefore, the electronic businesses operating in the internet system, service providers, web hosting, e-marketplace, or platform (for example, Lazada, Shopee, etc.) are required to register with the Department of Business Development (DBD). In addition, the DBD registration is valid for five years. Also, ordinary persons and juristic persons engaged in e-commerce businesses without commercial registration are considered to be in violation and shall be subject to a fine penalty as stipulated. Furthermore, foreign companies are required to submit additional documents for registration, including a copy of the company registration, an appointment of operation in Thailand, work permits, and a foreign business license or document certificate (if any).
Coverage E-commerce sector

THAILAND

Since April 2002, as amended in May 2017
Since November 2018

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act, 2002 (ขายตรงและตลาดแบบตรงพ.ศ. 2545)

Ministerial Regulation for Product and Service Purchase on Electronic Commerce Platform, Considered not being direct Marketing B.E. 2561 (กฎกระทรวงกำหนดการซื้อขายสินค้าหรือบริการโดยวิธีการพาณิชย์อิเล็กทรอนิกส์ที่ไม่ถือว่าเป็นตลาดแบบตรง พ.ศ. 2561)
The Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act requires businesses that engage in direct sales/marketing to register with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB). The definition of "direct marketing" has been amended to include e-commerce transactions. Business operators who fail to register as required will be punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the criteria for registering in the field of direct selling involve the following conditions: (i) the business entity must be structured as a partnership with a minimum registered capital of 500,000 Thai Baht (approx. USD 16,000), or alternatively, it can be a limited company or a public limited company with a minimum registered and paid-up capital of 1,000,000 Thai Baht (approx. USD 32,000); (ii) it is mandatory for direct selling operators to share joint and several liability with consumers who make purchases of goods or services through their independent distributors.
The conditions for registering and marking in the field of direct selling encompass the following: (i) applicants are obligated to furnish a guarantee to the registrar in an amount specified by the Ministerial Regulation, along with the preparation of a purchase and sale document in the Thai language; (ii) applicants must not have had their registration revoked in the five years leading up to the application submission, and the individual responsible for the operations must also not have faced a revocation during that period.
In addition, the Ministerial Regulation 2018 provides a list of activities which are not considered direct marketing, which include (i) a natural person who has not registered as a direct marketing operator and earns no more than 1,800,000 Thai Baht (approx. USD 50,000) per year from selling products or services through an electronic commerce platform; (ii) a small and medium-sized enterprise that legally registers in accordance with Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Law; (iii) a community enterprise and their networks which legally register in accordance with the Community Enterprise Promotion Law; (iv) the cooperatives and the group of farmers who legally register in accordance with the Cooperatives Law.
Coverage E-commerce sector
Sources

THAILAND

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2025

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Low de minimis threshold
It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is USD 40, below the 200 USD threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since June 2020

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Domain Name Registration Policy 2020 (นโยบายการจดทะเบียนชื่อโดเมน .th และ .ไทย)
According to the Domain Name Registration Policy 2020, the domain name ".co.th" is designed for business entities registered with the Department of Business Development in Thailand, state enterprises, or any person who registered the Value Added Tax with the Revenue Department in Thailand. In addition, according to Section 2 of the guidelines, the domain name holder can be a foreigner who holds a registered trademark with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) in Thailand. However, foreign juristic persons or trademark owners must appoint an agent to hold rights in a domain name on their behalf.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since April 1979
Since April 2002

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Consumer Protection Act, 1979 (พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค - พ.ศ. 2522)

Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act, 2002 (ขายตรงและตลาดแบบตรงพ.ศ. 2545)
The Consumer Protection Act 1979 and the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act 2002 provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Since March 2025, in force since October 2025

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Thailand has acceded to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. Upon accession, Thailand declared that, the Convention shall not apply to communications or transactions specifically excluded under Section 3 of the Electronic Transactions Act B.E. 2544 (2001) of Thailand; contracts to which at least one of the parties is a Thai state agency; and transactions which are required to be registered with a competent authority under Thai law. This is in accordance with Art. 19, paragraph 2, of the Convention.
Coverage Horizontal

THAILAND

Reported in 2020, last reported in 2025

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Reported issues in import and customs transparency
It is reported that, with regard to trade in goods, concerns remain regarding transparency and the non-automatic licensing regimes in Thailand. In addition, the provision of incentives to customs officials for initiating investigations or enforcement actions has raised longstanding concerns among trading partners, given the risks of corruption and the costs, uncertainty, and lack of transparency associated with the customs penalty and reward system. As a result, conflicts of interest linked to personal incentives continue to be an issue.
Coverage Horizontal

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