In recent years, Southeast Asia has witnessed rapid economic expansion, and Thailand—supported by its large population and rising health awareness—has become a key destination for Chinese health supplement brands going global. From protein powders and energy drinks to collagen and vitamins, the demand for health-related products in Thailand has grown significantly.

But the greater the opportunity, the higher the regulatory barrier.

As Thailand’s health market continues to expand, the Thai FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has tightened its regulatory standards. Many high-quality products fail to enter the market simply due to unfamiliar procedures, non-compliant labels, or ingredient issues that don’t meet local standards.

Below are the essential steps every brand must complete before entering Thailand’s supplement market.

1. Determine Your Applicant: It Must Be a Thai Company

Before initiating the FDA registration process, brands must first clarify who the applicant is—this step forms the foundation of all subsequent procedures.

Thai law clearly states that foreign companies cannot directly register products with the Thai FDA.

Therefore, the applicant must be either:

• A company legally registered in Thailand, or
• A local importer/agent acting as the product license holder.

In other words, most Chinese brands must either establish a Thai subsidiary or appoint a reliable local partner to act as the authorized holder.

2. Obtain Import Authorization

Before any supplement can enter Thailand, the Thai FDA verifies whether the company possesses the necessary import qualifications.

This step focuses on the company—not the product—and includes checks such as:

• Having a physical warehouse located in Thailand
• Meeting FDA requirements for storage and import conditions

FDA officers will conduct an on-site inspection covering ventilation, temperature control, and other storage standards.

Once approved, the company will be granted an Import License, enabling it to legally bring health supplements into Thailand.

3. Understand Product Classification: Supplements Are Not “General Food”

Products commonly considered “health supplements” in China are usually categorized in Thailand as dietary supplements under FDA regulation.

This category is classified as:

Specially Controlled Food

This level of regulation is stricter than general food but less stringent than pharmaceuticals.

⚠️ Important:
If a product claims to treat diseases, or contains any medicinal ingredients, it will be reclassified as a drug, which involves far higher scrutiny and a much longer approval process.

Winning in Thailand Requires Compliance, Not Just Marketing

With Thailand’s health and wellness sector growing rapidly, entering this market is no longer merely an opportunity—it has become a crucial part of global brand strategy. The sooner a brand understands regulatory expectations and prepares its compliance pathway, the faster it can secure market advantage and shorten its time to launch.

Wellion is committed to supporting Chinese brands with professional, efficient Thai FDA compliance services—ensuring every great product enters the Thai market smoothly and earns long-term consumer trust.