China-Thailand AEO implementation supports rapid growth of Jiangmen-Thailand trade

The DITP has implemented the China-Thailand AEO to promote Jiangmen-Thailand trade, reduce trade costs, build confidence in Chinese private companies, expand cooperation with the Thai market, and increase opportunities for agricultural products, fresh and processed fruits, health foods, and industrial products, distributing them to secondary and new first-tier cities in China.

According to DITP data, from August 1, 2025, China-Thailand trade cooperation will enter a new dimension as China Customs and Thailand Customs will implement “Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)” official

AEO is a standard certified by each country's customs to comply with the World Customs Organization (WCO) framework, and China currently has integrated cooperation with more than 52 countries worldwide.

The AEO system means that businesses certified by customs authorities in both countries will receive trade facilitation benefits such as lower inspection rates, faster clearances, and priority inspection or clearance in the event of a crisis or trade disruption.

“Jiangmen City” Guangdong Province, a key trading port with Thailand, is one of the key trading zones with continuous ties. This year (January–July 2025), Jiangmen's total trade value with Thailand reached 3.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 5%. Among the 34 AEO-certified companies in Jiangmen, their total trade value with Thailand reached 1.24 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 30.2%. This demonstrates that AEO measures not only reduce trade costs but also boost private sector confidence in expanding cooperation with the Thai market.

One interesting case is that of Asia Symbol (Guangdong) Paper Co., Ltd., the largest paper producer in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone and the highest-level AEO certified company, which revealed that after the implementation of the China-Thailand AEO, the inspection rate of imported goods from Thailand has been reduced by more than half.

AEO: Reduce costs, increase capabilities

According to the Jiangmen Customs, after the implementation of the China-Thailand AEO Mutual Recognition scheme, certified enterprises will enjoy the following key benefits:

• • Low inspection rate
  • Priority clearance rights
  • Post-disruption priority clearance

These factors will reduce logistics costs, shorten customs clearance times, and enhance the competitiveness of both Chinese and Thai businesses.

Opportunities for Thai products in the Chinese market

This enhancement of China-Thailand AEO cooperation has significant implications for future trends in Thai product imports, such as:

1. Fresh and processed fruits will have more advantages.

Durian, mangosteen and longan, Thailand's main products in the Chinese market, will be able to reach the market faster and fresher by reducing customs procedures and inspection times, thus reducing quality risks during transportation.

2. Processed agricultural products – health food are gaining momentum.

Processed food products, dried fruits, and health drinks, which are in high demand in China, will have the opportunity to expand because the AEO system helps reduce import costs, which will make Thai products more competitive in the Chinese market.

3. Industrial products and raw materials from Thailand

In the manufacturing sector, China still relies on imports of raw materials from Thailand, such as rubberwood, electronic components and some chemicals. The AEO agreement will ensure stable and lower-cost shipments, which will encourage Chinese manufacturers to choose Thailand as a long-term trading partner.

4. Market distribution to secondary cities and new first-tier cities

Fast and low-cost transportation has given Thai products the opportunity to spread to southern Chinese markets such as Hubei, Sichuan and Hunan, which have begun to show increasing import potential in recent years.

The China-Thailand AEO Mutual Recognition Measure is a more efficient "supply chain link" at the regional level, while also aligning with the expansion of the RCEP Agreement and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which will be a significant boost to Thailand-China trade in the long term.

If Thai entrepreneurs can fully utilize this measure, along with product standard development and branding, Thailand will be able to continue expanding its market share in China, particularly in agricultural and food products and related industries that align with the needs of new Chinese consumers.

The implementation of China-Thailand AEO Mutual Recognition from August 2025 is an important step to enhance trade facilitation between the two countries, build confidence among entrepreneurs, and open new opportunities for Thai products in the Chinese market, particularly fresh fruits, processed foods, and industrial raw materials.

If Thai entrepreneurs can adapt their trade strategies, using this measure as a "gain," and develop logistics and digital marketing systems, it is believed that in the future, China will remain Thailand's "top strategic market," contributing to the sustainable growth of Thai-Chinese cooperation.

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