The Customs Department is looking for ways to streamline the procedures to release imported goods from ports.
The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking for last year saw Thailand slip a notch from 2014, prompting the Thai government to improve efficiency including for customs procedures.
Import customs clearance is a major index used to measure the efficiency of Thailand's ease of doing business.
Previously, the department was able to shorten import customs clearance to three days and four hours from five days in 2014 by using an e-manifest system.
This system allows importers to file their manifest documents to Customs in advance to ensure Thai officials start pre-arrival processing instead of waiting for the goods to arrive at port.
"Previously, officials had to wait for goods to arrive before filing their manifest, as customs officials have to take at least 48 hours to examine the manifest data," department director-general Kulis Sombatsiri said.
"But the electronic system allows them to file since they are the port of shipment."
But Customs is seeking further efficiency improvements.
"In a developed country, imported goods only take one day to be released," Mr Kulis said.
He said the department was studying import clearance times to be in line with global standards and World Customs Organization's guidelines.
The private sector has requested the government address customs procedures.
Kan Trakulhoon, former president and chief executive of the country's largest conglomerate, Siam Cement Group, and current private-sector representative on the state steering committee, said most members of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand and multinational companies wanted the government to accelerate the customs process.
The committee, which comprises the private and public sectors, has proposed the government review its customs procedures, he said.
"If Thailand wants to be a hub of Asean, we must be the trading centre. Customs is one issue where we need to improve immediately," Mr Kan said.
"The committee is concerned about our outdated rules and regulations. More importantly, immigration and city planning laws must be updated to be more competitive."