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The twenty imports Thailand is best placed to replace.

Thailand imported USD 210bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 290bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 20bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
424products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1075products Thailand already exports well
1855product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Thailand already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Thailand would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Thailand does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices n.e.c. in heading no. 8541HS 854159

    Comes fromUnited States 62%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 579m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 579mup 205% on 2022
  2. 2

    Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic...HS 854231

    Comes fromTaiwan 22%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2.8bn; 1 more line in the heading, USD 783m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 4.7bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 4.7bndown 8% on 2022
  3. 3

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Comes fromChina 81%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 565m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 165m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 4.0bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 4.0bnup 10% on 2022
  4. 4

    Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380

    Comes fromChina 92%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 9.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 446m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 874m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 1.6bnup 230% on 2022
  5. 5

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not...HS 721049

    Comes fromChina 77%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of stainless steel (exports USD 287m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 53m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 803m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bndown 10% on 2022
  6. 6

    Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and...HS 852990

    Comes fromChina 57%, 55 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 731m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 86m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 961m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); China supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 961mup 9% on 2022
  7. 7

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442

    Comes fromChina 70%, 94 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 475m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 597m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 597mup 5% on 2022
  8. 8

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 85%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: with uppers of leather or composition leather, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 100m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 89m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 481m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 481mup 3% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a...HS 720839

    Comes fromJapan 83%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of stainless steel (exports USD 287m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 246k; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 447m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Japan supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 447mup 2% on 2022
  10. 10

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale)...HS 950300

    Comes fromChina 93%, 90 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGolf balls (exports USD 198m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 392m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 344m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 344mup 35% on 2022
  11. 11

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or...HS 852491

    Comes fromChina 91%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 222m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 334m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 305m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 305mup 157% on 2022
  12. 12

    Glass: safety glass, toughened (tempered), (not of a size and shape suitable for incorporation in vehicles, aircraft...HS 700719

    Comes fromChina 61%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets... (exports USD 84m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 37m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 289m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); China supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 289mup 61% on 2022
  13. 13

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 71%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCatalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and... (exports USD 219m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 471m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 271m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 271mdown 33% on 2022
  14. 14

    Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayerHS 853224

    Comes fromJapan 44%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 82m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 268m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Japan supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 268mup 51% on 2022
  15. 15

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: p-xyleneHS 290243

    Comes fromOman 35%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAcids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: terephthalic acid and its salts (exports USD 865m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 93m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 88m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 258m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3).

    USD 258mup 282% on 2022
  16. 16

    Magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing...HS 847190

    Comes fromMexico 71%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: storage units (exports USD 17bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 81m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 2.5bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 227m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 227mup 172% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materialsHS 420292

    Comes fromChina 81%, 89 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases... (exports USD 307m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 119m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 451m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 221m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 221mup 2% on 2022
  18. 18

    Copper: foil, not backed, of a thickness not exceeding 0.15mm, of refined copperHS 741011

    Comes fromChina 61%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 1.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 186m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 186mup 16% on 2022
  19. 19

    Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting electrical circuits, for a voltage not...HS 853690

    Comes fromChina 51%, 108 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 550m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 309m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 1.4bnup 9% on 2022
  20. 20

    Magnetic media: other than cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of...HS 852329

    Comes fromChina 57%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 13bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 25m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 48m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Thailand's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 1.3bndown 3% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Thailand already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 imports USD 11bn, exports USD 8.3bn, top source Taiwan 53%
  • Parts of electronic integrated circuits imports USD 3.0bn, exports USD 667m, top source Taiwan 24%
  • Circuits: printed imports USD 2.7bn, exports USD 1.6bn, top source China 56%
  • Aluminium: waste and scrap imports USD 1.4bn, exports USD 803m, top source United States 36%
  • Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, other than... imports USD 1000m, exports USD 486m, top source Japan 43%
  • Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the... imports USD 3.6bn, exports USD 3.2bn, top source China 26%
  • Electrical machines and apparatus: parts of the electrical goods of heading... imports USD 556m, exports USD 158m, top source China 69%
  • Vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the... imports USD 785m, exports USD 424m, top source China 50%
  • Carbon: carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c. imports USD 526m, exports USD 179m, top source China 55%
  • Electrical inductors: n.e.c. in heading no. 8504 imports USD 516m, exports USD 213m, top source China 72%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1855 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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