US imposes tariffs of up to 100% on drone imports, Thailand's exports at risk

RegulationGeopolitics Impact 4
โดย Kaohoon·US·Read original
Summary · why it matters

The United States has announced additional import tariffs on unmanned aircraft systems and components under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, with US President Donald Trump issuing a formal proclamation on August 13, 2026, citing national security grounds. Mrs. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, disclosed that the additional tariff rates are divided as follows: goods in Annex I are subject to a 100% tariff, covering unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilograms, unmanned aircraft equipped with thermal imaging cameras, unmanned aircraft operating bases, and certain key components, effective from September 3, 2026. Goods in Annex II are subject to a 25% tariff, covering unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 25 kilograms, also effective from September 3, 2026. Goods in Annex III are subject to a 25% tariff on certain components, taking effect from February 9, 2027, or 180 days after the announcement, in order to allow opportunities to relocate or expand production in the United States. Annex IV is a reference document comparing the normal customs classifications of the controlled goods in Annexes I through III with the customs classifications in Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, which operators must verify before exporting. In addition, the United States has set a maximum total tariff rate of 15% for goods from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, and no more than 10% for the United Kingdom, if the specified conditions are met. Thailand is not among the countries granted these special tariff rates. Arada added that Thai export statistics for unmanned aircraft and components reflect that the United States is a key export market. Between 2023 and 2025, Thailand exported unmanned aircraft under tariff heading 8806 to the United States worth 0.78 million dollars in 2023, rising to 3.28 million dollars in 2024 and 8.64 million dollars in 2025, an average annual growth rate of 232.82%. Meanwhile, exports of components under tariff heading 8807 to the United States were worth 75.78 million dollars in 2023, rising to 75.84 million dollars in 2024 and 86.55 million dollars in 2025, reflecting that the measure could significantly affect Thai operators. The Department of Foreign Trade therefore urges Thai operators exporting products related to UAS systems, including unmanned aircraft components, to thoroughly check the lists of goods in Annexes I through IV in order to plan to mitigate the impact of the measure, particularly in terms of cost management and pricing.

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