Do I need to pay extra for a Certificate of Origin when importing Thai rice?

No. TBS Ricemill includes the standard Certificate of Origin (issued by the Thai Chamber of Commerce) as part of the standard shipping document package at no additional cost. There is a small government fee (approximately 200–300 THB per CO) that is included in our export pricing. DFT-issued FTA forms (Form D, Form A, Form E) may carry slightly higher processing fees if expedited, but these are also included in our standard documentation service.

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Origin for Thai rice?

Standard CO from the Thai Chamber of Commerce: 1–2 business days after cargo is ready. DFT FTA-specific forms (Form D, Form A, Form E): 2–3 business days. In practice, TBS Ricemill applies for the CO simultaneously with phytosanitary and fumigation certificate applications so that all documents are ready together at time of shipment, with no delay to container loading.

Can the Certificate of Origin be issued after the shipment has sailed?

A 'back-dated' or retrospective CO can be issued by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in some cases, but it is not recommended as it may cause customs delays in the destination country. TBS Ricemill always obtains the CO before or at the time of sailing to ensure the complete document set reaches buyers promptly.

Can I use a Thai rice Certificate of Origin to claim EU import duty reduction?

Thailand lost its EU GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) preferential status as of January 1, 2015, meaning Thai rice no longer qualifies for reduced EU import duties under Form A / GSP CO. Thai rice imports into the EU are subject to standard MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duties. However, Thai rice exported under specific EU quotas may still benefit from reduced duty rates — consult your EU customs agent for current tariff quota availability.

Thai Rice Certificate of Origin 2026 — Form D, CO, GSP & How to Apply | TBS Rice Mill

Q: What is Form D and do I need it for my Thai rice shipment?

Form D is the preferential Certificate of Origin for ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) shipments under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). If you are importing Thai rice into Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos, you should request Form D to qualify for zero or reduced import duties. Inform TBS Ricemill's export team at time of order if you require Form D — the DFT processing adds 1–2 days to document preparation.

What Is a Certificate of Origin for Thai Rice?

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an official document issued by a recognised authority in Thailand — typically the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) or the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) — certifying that the rice was grown, milled, and processed in Thailand. For rice importers worldwide, the CO serves three critical purposes: (1) confirming product authenticity; (2) qualifying the shipment for preferential tariff rates under trade agreements; and (3) satisfying customs clearance requirements in the destination country.

Types of Thai Rice Certificate of Origin

Thailand's rice exporters work with several CO types, each for a different trade context:

Standard Certificate of Origin (Form CO) — The general-purpose CO issued by the Thai Chamber of Commerce for countries outside preferential trade agreements. Required by most rice importers in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Americas who need to confirm Thai origin for customs and import licensing purposes. This is the most common document type TBS Ricemill provides.

Form D — ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) — For shipments to ASEAN member states (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos). Qualifies Thai rice for zero or reduced import duties under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). Issued by the DFT, not the Chamber of Commerce.

Form A — Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) — Issued for shipments to countries offering GSP tariff preferences to Thailand (EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, historically the USA until GSP expired). Allows reduced duty rates on Thai rice. Issued by the DFT.

Form E — China-ASEAN FTA (ACFTA) — For shipments to China. Allows preferential tariff rates under the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement. Issued by the DFT.

Form FTA (Various) — Thailand has bilateral FTAs with Australia (TAFTA), India (TIGA), Japan (JTEPA), New Zealand, and others. Each has its own CO form issued by the DFT for preferential tariff treatment.

When Do You Need a Certificate of Origin?

You need a Thai rice CO in the following situations:

Customs clearance — Most importing countries require a CO as part of the standard import documentation set (alongside the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Phytosanitary Certificate)
Import licensing — Countries like Nigeria (NAFDAC), Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh require CO as part of their rice import permit applications
Preferential tariff claims — When your country has an FTA or GSP arrangement with Thailand, presenting the correct CO form at customs reduces or eliminates import duty
Food safety verification — EU, US FDA, and Japanese import authorities use the CO to verify country of origin for food safety and labelling compliance
Anti-dumping measures — Some countries apply anti-dumping duties to rice from certain countries; a Thai CO exempts the shipment from non-Thai tariffs

How Thai Rice Exporters Obtain a Certificate of Origin

The process for obtaining a Thai rice CO follows these steps:

1. Order confirmation — Buyer issues a purchase order and the exporter confirms details (quantity, rice grade, destination, Incoterms)
2. Milling and packing — Rice is milled, graded, and packed to order specifications
3. Pre-shipment inspection — SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek inspects the cargo (if required by buyer)
4. Application to TCC or DFT — Exporter submits the CO application with Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and factory production documentation
5. CO issuance — Usually 1–2 business days; DFT FTA forms may take 2–3 days
6. CO included in shipping documents — Sent to buyer with the full document set: B/L, CI, PL, Phyto, Fumigation, COA, CO

Key Information on a Thai Rice Certificate of Origin

Every Thai rice CO contains: Exporter name and address (TBS Ricemill Company Limited, Phichit, Thailand); Consignee name and destination; Port of loading (Laem Chabang or Bangkok); Port of destination; Description of goods (e.g. "Thai White Rice 5% Broken, HS Code 1006.30"); Gross weight and net weight; Number and type of packages; Country of origin (Thailand); Certification statement and official stamp.

HS Codes for Thai Rice Exports

Thai rice is exported under these Harmonised System (HS) codes, which appear on the Certificate of Origin and Commercial Invoice:

HS 1006.10 — Rice in the husk (paddy or rough rice)
HS 1006.20 — Husked (brown) rice
HS 1006.30 — Semi-milled or wholly milled rice (white rice, parboiled rice, jasmine rice)
HS 1006.40 — Broken rice

The HS code determines the import duty rate in the destination country and determines which Certificate of Origin form is required.

How to Request a Certificate of Origin from TBS Ricemill

When you place a rice order with TBS Ricemill, the Certificate of Origin is included as part of the standard document package. You do not need to organise this separately. At the time of inquiry, simply inform our export team of: (1) your required CO type (standard, Form D, Form A, Form E, or FTA-specific); (2) your customs authority's specific CO format requirements; (3) whether you need additional copies (usually 3 originals are standard).

We provide all standard Thai rice export documentation: Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, Fumigation Certificate, Certificate of Analysis, Halal Certificate, and Health Certificate. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV) can be arranged on request.

Certificate of Origin vs Phytosanitary Certificate — Key Differences

Importers often confuse the CO with the Phytosanitary Certificate. They serve completely different purposes: the CO certifies country of origin and is used for customs, tariffs, and import licensing; the Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by Thailand's Department of Agriculture and certifies the rice is free of pests and plant diseases — it is a food safety and agricultural compliance document required by virtually every importing country.

Both documents are part of the standard Thai rice export document set. TBS Ricemill includes both in every shipment at no additional cost.