Seized matcha leaves tea lovers hoping for auction

Thai man caught at Chiang Mai airport with B500,000 worth of precious commodity

The seizure of almost 1,000 packs of undeclared matcha green tea powder from Japan, worth more than 500,000 baht, has eager Thai matcha lovers asking whether and when the goods will be put up for auction.

The goods were seized on Monday from a Thai passenger arriving at Chiang Mai International Airport, the Customs Department said on Tuesday.

The male passenger, whose identity was not disclosed, passed through the green channel for passengers with nothing to declare. However, a search of his four suitcases uncovered 972 packs of foreign-origin matcha powder in sachets and tins, weighing a total of 100 kilogrammes and valued at more than 500,000 baht.

The quantity exceeded what would reasonably be considered for personal use and indicated commercial intent. The goods had not been declared to customs officials as required by law, the department said.

A report on the department’s Facebook page drew more than 2,000 likes, 200 comments and 1,000 shares — far more engagement than the page typically receives.

Many commenters expressed concern about whether the products had been stored properly, particularly whether they had been kept refrigerated, as they anticipated that the authorities might eventually put them up for public auction.

Matcha powder is in high demand in Thailand, where supply can be limited by import quotas, making some brands difficult to find.

As of Wednesday, the Customs Department had yet to announce any auction of the seized products.

The current global matcha shortage reflects a severe supply-and-demand mismatch driven by a wellness boom amplified by social media, extreme weather harming harvests, and an ageing Japanese farming workforce, market analysts say.

Thailand has a quota for of 625 tonnes per year for tea, including matcha. Imports within the quota carry a duty of 30%, but can be lower if they come from a country that has a free trade agreement with Thailand.

Imports outside the quota are taxed at 90%. Imports from Asean Free Trade Area members are generally duty-free regardless of quota.