Shopee to Introduce Infrastructure Fee as Vietnam Tightens E-commerce Rules

Shopee has announced a new “Platform Infrastructure Fee” for its Vietnam site, effective July 1, 2025 (local time). According to Shopee, the change aims to sustain high-quality service and support a diverse community of sellers, ensuring a balanced and healthy e-commerce ecosystem.

Under the new policy, a fee of 3,000 VND per order will be applied starting from the effective date.

Please note:

1. The fee is charged in Vietnamese dong (VND).
2. It applies only to orders generated on or after July 1, 2025.
3. The fee is applicable to cross-border direct shipping stores, third-party warehouse stores, and Nanning warehouse stores.

Thailand Drafts New E-commerce Rules to Rein in Large Platforms

Thailand is preparing to strengthen its oversight of digital marketplaces and social commerce platforms. According to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the Thai government plans to introduce new rules targeting platforms deemed to have a significant market impact or a large user base.

The move seeks to improve product quality and reinforce consumer protection measures. Proposed regulations will apply to online marketplaces and social commerce platforms with high transaction volumes or substantial user reach.

Earlier this week, ETDA officials met with senior executives from digital platforms to discuss obligations under Thailand’s Digital Platform Services (DPS) Royal Decree, which was published in the Royal Gazette on December 23, 2022.

A new regulation is now being drafted under this law. Key provisions would apply to platforms that:

• Facilitate over THB 100 million in annual sales in Thailand;
• Are not registered as legal entities with Thailand's Department of Business Development but serve more than 100 Thai business users; or
• Reach between 5% and 10% of the national population on average.

These platforms would be required to:

• Register as legal entities under Thai law;
• Submit operational reports to authorities;
• Collect and verify merchant data;
• Cooperate with government agencies in reporting illegal business activity;
• Screen products before advertising or sale;
• Display product details prominently; 
• Establish a "notice-and-takedown" mechanism for non-compliant items.

Chaichana Mitrpant, Executive Director of ETDA, said the meeting marked another milestone in enforcing the DPS law nearly three years after its enactment. It allowed platforms to exchange best practices and gain clarity on their responsibilities.

The draft regulation is expected to become law by August 2025.

Vietnam to Begin Platform-Based Tax Withholding for Online Sellers

Starting July 1, 2025, major e-commerce platforms in Vietnam will begin withholding taxes on behalf of online sellers. This shift is part of the country’s effort to formalize digital commerce and ensure proper tax compliance.

Platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and Tiki will be responsible for deducting and remitting Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) directly from seller revenues.

The applicable tax rates are as follows:

VAT:

• 1% for goods
• 5% for services
• 3% for transportation and service-related goods

PIT:

• 0.5% for goods
• 2% for services
• 1.5% for transportation

Where the nature of the transaction cannot be clearly determined, the highest applicable rate will be used.

For non-resident individuals, the PIT rates are higher:

• 1% for goods,
• 5% for services,
• 2% for transportation.

Once a transaction is confirmed and payment is received, platforms will immediately deduct the taxes. They are also responsible for monthly tax filings with the relevant authorities. In the event of returns, cancellations, or refunds, platforms may adjust tax filings accordingly.

If the platform has already fulfilled its tax obligations, sellers are not required to declare and pay these taxes independently. However, they must provide complete identity verification, such as a national ID number, tax code, or other documents required by tax authorities.

Importantly, sellers remain responsible for declaring and paying any other taxes not covered by this policy—such as special consumption tax, resource tax, or environmental protection tax, where applicable.

As Southeast Asia's e-commerce regulations evolve, it's critical for cross-border sellers to stay updated on platform fees, compliance requirements, and tax responsibilities. Choosing a reliable logistics partner is also key. Forest Shipping, a trusted international shipping agent, offers seamless freight solutions from China to Southeast Asia and beyond—helping sellers stay compliant and competitive in a rapidly changing market.