Importing Flavouring into Thailand: Licence Steps

A company importing flavouring for sale in Thailand applies for a Thai FDA food import licence, then a food serial number, and a License per Invoice (LPI) for each import. The licence requirement is in Food Act B.E. 2522, Section 15; the serial-number sequence is in the Thai FDA product-register procedure, and the LPI requirement is in checkpoint procedure, step 3.

The six steps from licence to checkpoint inspection

The Thai FDA Food and Drug Checkpoint Division procedure, steps 1 to 6 runs from the food import licence to document and sample inspection at the checkpoint. The table follows that sequence. Flavouring agents are Group 3, foods required to bear labels, under the Thai FDA food-product law index, and require a food serial number after the import licence under the product-register procedure.

Import licence processing and renewal

The Thai FDA food import FAQ gives 5 working days for granting the food import licence, excluding cases needing amendment. Apply for renewal before the licence lapses, on or before 31 December of the third year after the year of issue. Food Act Section 18 also addresses licence validity and renewal.

Flavourings need a food serial number, not a general-food pseudo-number

Thai FDA places flavouring agents in Group 3, foods required to bear labels, on its food-product law index. Under the product-register procedure, Groups 1 to 3 apply for a food serial number after obtaining the production or import licence; for an importer this is Form Or.7. The pseudo-number route for general food in checkpoint procedure, step 2 does not apply to a flavouring agent.

What a flavouring label sold to food makers must carry

MoPH Notification No. 223 B.E. 2544, Clause 6 permits English on imported flavourings not intended for sale to consumers. The minimum label declarations are the food name with flavouring type declaration, food serial number, metric net quantity, producer or importer details and country of producer as applicable, a production, expiry or consume-before date, and any FDA-prescribed declarations. Clause 5(2) instead requires Thai on consumer-sale labels, with foreign text permitted in addition. See the English clause reference or the Thai reference for วัตถุแต่งกลิ่นรส.

Production processes, equipment and storage

Notification No. 223, Clause 4 requires producers or importers of flavouring agents for sale to follow the Ministry of Public Health notification on production processes, production equipment and food storage. The English notification text is an unofficial translation; the Thai original prevails.

Documents to discuss with your importer

The VKA Thailand page, under Documents with your flavor sample, lists specification and SDS, CoA, allergen and composition statements, halal scope documents, the FSSC 22000 certificate and a certificate of free sale where your importer asks for one. Use that supplier-document list when discussing the brief with your importer.

Send us your brief

Send us your brief, naming your application, destination market and label requirements. For the product label declarations, read the Thai reference.