Southeast Asia is currently one of the strongest regions in the world for new fully-electric BYD imports, with two of its largest markets — Thailand and the Philippines — both offering pathways to 0% import duty. The schemes work differently, though, and it's worth understanding the mechanics before comparing them head to head.

Thailand: ACFTA tariff waiver plus BOI incentives

  • Duty: 0% for China-origin electric vehicles under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
  • Additional incentive: The BOI EV3/EV3.5 scheme layers on reduced excise tax for qualifying battery-electric vehicles, on top of the ACFTA duty waiver.
  • VAT: 7% on customs value plus duty.
  • Used vehicles: Effectively not a viable commercial import channel — used duty runs around 80% and resale-oriented used imports are not recommended.

Philippines: EVIDA law tariff exemption

  • Duty: 0% for fully electric vehicles under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), during its defined incentive period.
  • Additional incentive: EVIDA also provides registration and franchise-tax incentives at the point of local registration, beyond the import-duty waiver.
  • VAT: 12% on customs value plus duty.
  • Used vehicles: Generally prohibited for commercial resale except under narrow government-authorized exemptions; used duty otherwise runs around 30%.

Head-to-head: which is more favorable?

Both markets get you to 0% duty on a qualifying new fully-electric BYD, so the practical difference for most buyers comes down to VAT: Thailand's 7% versus the Philippines' 12%. On a straightforward landed-cost comparison, Thailand's lower VAT rate gives it a modest edge for identical FOB pricing. That said, the Philippines' EVIDA framework adds registration and franchise-tax benefits that Thailand's scheme doesn't directly replicate, so the fuller picture depends on how the vehicle will ultimately be registered and used.

A quick reminder on scope: Pakistan is a South Asia market, not Southeast Asia, and is covered separately — its EV incentive structure (a reduced ~10% duty band rather than a full waiver) works differently from either scheme here.

Landed cost formula (applies to both markets)

  • FOB price of the vehicle
  • + $1,450 fixed ocean freight
  • + Insurance (1.1% of FOB)
  • + Import duty (0% for qualifying new EVs in both markets)
  • + VAT (7% for Thailand, 12% for the Philippines, × (CIF + duty))
  • + $650 fixed clearance and documentation fee
  • = Total Landed Cost

Shipping timeline

Both destinations sit within the same regional shipping window: 12-20 days transit from China by sea, among the fastest routes we quote.

Before you order

Both the ACFTA tariff treatment and the EVIDA incentive period are subject to policy review and defined cutoff dates. Confirm current eligibility and any recent scheme updates with a licensed customs broker in your destination country before finalizing an order — especially if your timeline puts clearance close to a published incentive-period deadline.

Documentation and process notes

For both markets, expect to provide a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin as the baseline. Thailand's clearance additionally requires paperwork to support the ACFTA origin claim and, if applicable, BOI incentive registration. The Philippines requires documentation specific to claiming the EVIDA duty exemption at the Bureau of Customs, plus separate LTO registration paperwork afterward — including any franchise-tax incentive forms if relevant to your use case.

Frequently asked questions

  • Which country has the lower total tax burden for a new electric BYD, Thailand or the Philippines? Thailand, primarily due to its lower 7% VAT versus the Philippines' 12% — both apply 0% duty to qualifying new EVs, so VAT is the main differentiator on a straight cost comparison.
  • Do these incentives apply to plug-in hybrid BYD models? Generally no — both the ACFTA/BOI treatment in Thailand and the EVIDA exemption in the Philippines are targeted at fully battery-electric vehicles. PHEV and combustion models are taxed under separate, less favorable schedules in both markets.
  • Can I import a used BYD into either market? Not practically. Thailand effectively prohibits commercial used-vehicle import for resale, and the Philippines generally prohibits it except under narrow government-authorized exemptions. Both markets should be approached as new-vehicle-only for commercial import purposes.
  • What about other Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam, Indonesia or Malaysia? Each has its own distinct duty and incentive framework that differs from both Thailand and the Philippines — worth a separate conversation with your broker if you're weighing additional destinations beyond the two compared here.
  • How stable are these incentive schemes? Both are tied to defined incentive periods and policy frameworks that can be revised or extended — always confirm current status before finalizing an order rather than relying on rates from a prior year.

Rates shown are indicative only — always confirm current duty, VAT and any EV incentives with a licensed customs broker in-country before ordering.

BYD Global Export is an independent export trading company and is not an authorized dealer or representative of BYD Auto Co., Ltd.

Deciding between Thailand and the Philippines for a new BYD EV order? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you compare landed costs for your specific model.