Thai Manufacturers Face Quarantine Difficulties

Manufacturers in Thailand are seeking a clarification from the country’s Industry Ministry over the status of a substance used to produce tyres. At present some 500 million baht (£9.3 million) worth of 100 per cent pure sulphur has been quarantined by the Customs Department, say the manufacturers, as the product has been ruled illegal. To gain access to the sulphur, the manufacturers claim they must pay penalties of two billion baht.

The problem stems from the fact that 80 per cent pure substance, a water-soluble substance, is also banned in Thailand due to its potential misuse by farmers. The 100 per cent pure sulphur used by tyre manufacturers, however, is not water-soluble and thus cannot be so misused.

The Industry Ministry will file a clarification letter with the Customs the Department and Department of Special Investigation to explain that the two types of sulphur are different.