Body Armour → Thailand

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in Thailand carries fines from THB 50,000 to THB 500,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Customs Act B.E. 2560 s.242-244; Narcotics Act. Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Thai Customs Department; when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Thailand with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Thailand above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Thailand above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into Thailand. Thai Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

Thai Customs Department · https://www.customs.go.th