Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-26 Origin: Site
Thailand's trade policy on China's aluminum alloy products is undergoing profound adjustments, with the newly announced anti-dumping duties in November 2025 becoming the most notable policy move recently. This policy not only directly alters the trade landscape of the aluminum industries between China and Thailand but also reflects the typical countermeasures taken by Southeast Asian countries in response to China's manufacturing advantages.
Thailand's policy framework for China's aluminum alloy products has evolved from simple tariff adjustments to a multi-level trade control system. As the core measure, anti-dumping duties were ultimately imposed in November 2025, with differential rates ranging from 5.12% to 21.94% on China's aluminum extrusions. This marks another significant trade restriction taken by Thailand following the additional safeguard tariffs on certain aluminum products in 2021.
In addition to anti-dumping measures, Thailand's customs procedures are undergoing continuous adjustments. According to the latest requirements from Thai Customs, the duty-free threshold for low-value goods has been abolished effective January 1, 2026. This means even small imports of aluminum alloy will now be subject to a minimum 17% comprehensive tax (comprising customs duty and VAT), with the inspection rate simultaneously increased to 30%.
Thailand has established a multi-layered tariff structure for China aluminum alloy, consisting of "basic tariff + anti-dumping duty + value-added tax". Regarding basic tariffs, according to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, aluminum alloy products that meet the rules of origin (Form E certificate) can enjoy zero-tariff treatment, which is the main basis for Sino-Thai aluminum trade. However, this preference is partially offset by anti-dumping duties, with the anti-dumping rate varying by manufacturer and reaching up to 21.94%. In addition, all imported goods are also subject to a 7% value-added tax (VAT), calculated based on the CIF price plus tariffs.
Thailand's revised aluminum alloy trade policy with China is reshaping the supply chain landscape of the bilateral aluminum industry. The direct impact is mainly reflected in increased costs and changes in trade volume. The average export cost of China aluminum extrusion materials to Thailand has increased by 8-15%, directly weakening price competitiveness and leading to some orders being transferred to neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia.
The anti-dumping duties target products under HS codes 7604 (aluminum bars, rods, profiles, and special-shaped profiles) and 7610 (aluminum structural components), primarily affecting construction profiles, industrial aluminum profiles, and certain structural aluminum sheets, with construction aluminum profiles being the most significantly impacted.
Facing Thailand's trade barriers, Chinese aluminum companies are seeking solutions through various approaches.
Market diversification has become the preferred strategy, with many enterprises shifting their focus to emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and South America, while increasing exports to other ASEAN countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. These regions either have no similar trade restrictions or relatively lenient ones.
Supply chain localization is a deeper response. Some Chinese aluminum companies are already considering setting up processing plants in Thailand or neighboring countries to export semi-finished products for final processing locally, thereby avoiding anti-dumping duties on finished products. This type of "avoidance investment" is becoming a trend in Southeast Asia.
Under the new policy environment in Thailand, compliance management has become a survival skill that Chinese aluminum enterprises must master.
Form E management is fundamental to customs procedures. To qualify for zero-tariff treatment, enterprises must ensure their product origin standards comply with the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, including meeting key criteria such as a regional value component of at least 40%.
Regarding anti-dumping duties, China enterprises need to prepare complete defense materials, including production cost data, domestic sales prices, and detailed export prices to Thailand. Active defense can help obtain lower individual duty rates rather than the highest general duty rates.
Summary
Thailand's anti-dumping measures on aluminum alloy are not an isolated incident, but a trendsetting move by Southeast Asian manufacturing countries to protect their domestic industries. The choices facing China's aluminum enterprises have also become clear: either maintain market share through product upgrades within the compliance framework, or transfer production capacity to third countries to enter the Thai market indirectly, or completely shift to emerging markets. Whoever can find the best path between policy restrictions and market opportunities will gain a favorable position in the wave of large-scale development of the aluminum industry in Southeast Asia.
