DSI, in Cooperation with the Customs Department, Department of Industrial Works, and Port Authority of Thailand, Inspects 36 Containers of Imported Goods Suspected as Hazardous Waste under the Basel Convention, totalling 736 Tons

DSI, in Cooperation with the Customs Department, Department of Industrial Works, and Port Authority of Thailand, Inspects 36 Containers of Imported Goods Suspected as Hazardous Waste under the Basel Convention, totalling 736 Tons

 

         On June 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM, Mr. Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, along with Mrs. Nunthita Sirikup, Principal Advisor on Customs Control Development, Mr. Eakvut Naeak, Director of Bangkok Port Customs Office, and Ms. Chawchat Horwang, Expert on Cargo Inspection Techniques, together with Ms. Navaporn Sa-nguanmoo, Director of the Industrial Waste Management Division, Ms. Thitipat Chotidechachainan, Head of the Minister of Industry’s working group, Police Major Woranan Srilam, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime, Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Port Authority of Thailand, conducted a joint inspection of 36 imported containers suspected of containing hazardous waste under the Basel Convention, with a total weight of 736 tons, at the Bangkok Port Customs Office.

         Mr. Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, stated that, in accordance with the policy of Prime Minister Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which emphasizes the prevention and suppression of hazardous waste imports to ensure public and environmental safety, as well as the directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira and Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Julapun Amornvivat, the Customs Department has been tasked with monitoring and preventing the smuggling of hazardous waste under the Basel Convention. This inspection was part of a collaborative effort with the Bangkok Port Customs Office and the Department of Industrial Works to control hazardous waste imports.

         The inspected goods, declared as 36 containers of ZINC CONCENTRATE weighing 736,425 kilograms, originated from Morocco, appeared as fine brown powder with a pungent odor, and were packed in sacks. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed major metal components: zinc (32.2%), iron (13.5%), along with contamination by heavy metals such as lead (1.24%), cadmium (890 ppm), and antimony (540 ppm). These contents fall under the definition of hazardous waste according to the Basel Convention, which regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste to prevent its transfer from developed countries to developing countries.

         This case constitutes a violation of the Hazardous Substance Act, B.E. 2535 (1992), the Notification of the Ministry of Industry on list of Hazardous Substance, B.E. 2556 (2013), List 5.2 Chemical Waste, Item 2.2, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. The Customs Department plans to re-export the hazardous waste and continue integrated cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent such dangerous goods from entering the country, ensuring the long-term safety and public health of the population.

         In fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024 – June 9, 2025), the Customs Department reported seizures of electronic waste, plastic scrap, and zinc oxide imports as follows: 37 cases of electronic waste totaling 505,073 kilograms, 13 cases of plastic scrap totaling 445,122 kilograms, and 2 cases of zinc oxide totaling 499,649 kilograms. The Customs Department will carry on a close cooperation with relevant agencies to exchange intelligence and strictly monitor import and export activities.