An online trader received a shocking surprise when authorities from the Intellectual Property Rights Police raided a prominent company in Buriram province, uncovering a scheme to evade taxes on imported children’s clothing sold online. The evasion led to a fine amounting to more than 16 million baht, which was four times the amount that had been evaded.
Deputy Chief of the Provincial Police Region 3, Vacharakorn Chamnan, led a team of officers to search a company in Ban Dan district, based on a court warrant. The investigation followed information indicating that the company was engaging in online sales of imported goods without paying import taxes.
The search resulted in the confiscation of five items, including 38,000 sets of children’s clothing imported and sold in Thailand, with an estimated total value of 4,180,000 baht (US$117,972). Other seized items included a white HP desktop computer, a printer, a keyboard, and a mouse.
Two employees, 24-year-old Premwinee and 22-year-old Ariya, responsible for managing online orders and shipping, were arrested during the operation. The registered owners of the company, 38-year-old Thanapa and 28-year-old Surasawadee, were not present during the raid, as they were reported to be abroad.
Ariya, when questioned, claimed to be a mere employee of the company, which had been in operation for approximately three years. Her responsibilities included managing orders and preparing items for shipment, and she received a monthly salary of 10,000 baht (US$282). She was unaware if the company’s products were subject to customs taxes. Each item was sold for 110 baht (US$3), including shipping costs.
Initial findings by the police indicated that the company’s bank account showed a monthly turnover of four to five million baht (US$112,905 to US$141,131). The two arrested individuals were taken to the police station in Ban Dan district to face charges related to tax evasion.
According to the Customs Act BE 2560, anyone found to knowingly assist in smuggling, selling, or receiving goods imported while evading customs duties or restrictions is subject to a fine equal to four times the value of the goods, including the evaded duty, or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.
The police seized the 38,000 sets of children’s clothing, which were transported to the Chom Chom Customs Office in Kab Cheng district, Surin province, for an assessment of the unpaid customs duty.
