Key Takeaways

• Vitamins and dietary supplements imported from Japan must be checked by product type and ingredients for each SKU before import.
• If importing for sale, the importer must prepare the food import license and obtain product authorization as applicable.
• Labels used for sale in Japan should not be used to sell products in Thailand without checking Thai-language labeling requirements.
• Before the goods enter Thailand, prepare product information, shipment documents, and the LPI process where applicable.
• Requirements should be checked before ordering a commercial lot, rather than waiting until the goods arrive in Thailand to begin the process.

Vitamins and dietary supplements from Japan are of interest to Thai business operators, especially brands with a wide range of products, such as DHC, which offers vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements in various formulas.

However, purchasing products in Japan and shipping them to Thailand for sale involves more than placing an order and choosing a shipping company. Vitamins and dietary supplements are subject to food laws, product authorization, labeling requirements, and import procedures administered by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as customs clearance procedures.

Business operators should therefore check the details before placing an order, especially the formula, ingredients, manufacturer, and SKU to be imported. Products from the same brand may not all be eligible to use the same documents or follow the same procedures.

Can DHC Vitamins Be Imported from Japan?

Products can be imported from Japan if both the products and the importer comply with the relevant laws and requirements.

The key point is not to assume that:

“This product is sold in Japan, so it can be imported and sold in Thailand immediately.”

Products that are legally sold in their country of origin must still meet Thailand’s requirements before they can be imported or sold.

Examples of information that should be checked include:

• Product name
• Formula and ingredients
• Amount of active ingredients
• Product form
• Intended use
• Manufacturer
• Country of origin
• Package size
• Label
• Product claims

Checking each SKU is important because DHC Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Collagen, and other products may have different formulas and ingredients.

Is Importing Vitamins for Sale the Same as Importing Them for Personal Use?

No.

This article focuses on imports for commercial sale, which must follow the procedures applicable to business operators and the relevant food products.

Imports for personal use are assessed under separate criteria and procedures. Requirements for personal use should not be applied as a substitute for the requirements governing commercial shipments intended for resale.

If you plan to import products for sale through:

• Marketplace
• Social commerce
• Website
• Retail store
• Distributor
• Wholesale

You should plan for commercial import from the outset.

What Should You Check First Before Importing DHC Vitamins?

First, identify how the product is classified under Thai law and determine the applicable requirements.

Initial information to request from the supplier or manufacturer includes:

• Product name
• Ingredient list
• Nutrition information
• Specification
• Manufacturer name
• Manufacturer address
• Country of origin
• Images of all sides of the label
• Package size
• Certificates or factory documents, as applicable

Do not rely on the marketing name alone.

For example, terms such as “Vitamin,” “Supplement,” “Collagen,” or “Herbal” on the packaging are not sufficient to determine all import procedures. The formula and product category must also be reviewed.

1. Obtain a License to Import or Order Food into the Kingdom

For food imported for sale, the importer must complete the procedures for the import premises and obtain the relevant license through the Thai Food and Drug Administration.

The relevant license is the License to Import or Order Food into the Kingdom, Form A.7 (อ.7).

Before arranging a commercial shipment, check whether the business has the required status and licenses to import food products.

If not, this should be addressed first because it is separate from freight booking and customs declaration procedures.

Suggested Internal Link: 4 Steps Business Operators Should Know: How to Obtain Thai FDA Approval for Food Imports

2. Check Whether the Product Requires a Food Serial Number or Another Form of Authorization

Once the importer’s status is in place, check the food category for each SKU and determine the type of product authorization required.

Different food categories have different requirements. Do not use the registration number or information for one product for another product simply because they belong to the same brand.

For example:

DHC Vitamin C

and

DHC Collagen

Although both are DHC products, they have different formulas and are separate products. Their product information must be reviewed individually.

Prepare a clear list of the SKUs to be imported before placing an order.

3. Check the Ingredients Before Ordering

Ingredients are among the most important details for vitamins and dietary supplements.

A product may contain ingredients permitted in its country of origin, while their use in Thailand may be subject to:

• Restrictions on ingredient types
• Specified limits on quantities
• Warnings
• Labeling requirements
• Additional requirements
• Restrictions on claims

Business operators should therefore check the ingredients before confirming the purchase order.

Do not order a large quantity first and only later check whether the formula can legally be imported and sold.

4. Prepare Thai-Language Labels Before Selling

DHC packaging sold in Japan is designed to comply with the requirements of the Japanese market. It should not automatically be used as the label for products sold in Thailand.

Imported products intended for sale in Thailand must be checked against the labeling requirements applicable to their product category. These may include:

• Food name
• Food serial number, where applicable
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Name and address of the importer
• Ingredients
• Net quantity
• Allergen information, where applicable
• Manufacturing date or expiration date
• Storage instructions
• Directions for use, depending on the product category
• Legally required warnings
• Nutrition information, where applicable

The actual requirements must be assessed according to the product category and the labeling laws applicable to that product.

Product Claims Require Special Attention

Advertising statements or product descriptions used in Japan should not be translated and used in Thailand immediately without review.

Pay particular attention to claims relating to:

• Treating diseases
• Preventing diseases
• Weight loss
• Fat burning
• Relieving symptoms
• Changing body structure or function in ways that go beyond the permitted scope for food products

Claims affect both marketing communications and product compliance.

Businesses selling imported vitamins or dietary supplements should therefore review both the product itself and the claims used in advertising, rather than checking only the shipping documents.

5. Prepare the LPI Before Importing the Goods

For imports of health products regulated by the Thai FDA, the License per Invoice (LPI) process may apply. It links product information to the shipment being imported.

The information used must correspond to the products listed on the commercial invoice and the details used for customs clearance.

Before the shipment departs, prepare:

• Product information
• Product quantities
• Invoice
• Importer information
• Product reference
• Relevant permit information or product registration number
• Shipment information

Do not wait until the goods arrive at the border to begin checking the LPI requirements, as this may delay customs clearance.

What Documents Should Be Prepared to Import Vitamins from Japan?

The exact documents depend on the product and shipment, but the following information and documents should generally be prepared:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
• Product specification
• Ingredient list
• Manufacturer information
• Country of origin
• Product authorization documents, where applicable
• Food import license
• LPI for the shipment, where applicable
• Other supporting documents required by the relevant authorities

Product names across the different documents should be consistent and traceable, and important details should not conflict with one another.

Why Is the HS Code for Vitamins Important?

The HS Code is used to classify goods for customs purposes and affects:

• Import duty rates
• Statistical codes
• Import measures
• Relevant documentation
• Cost estimates

Do not choose an HS Code based solely on the words “Vitamin” or “Supplement.” Classification must take into account the product’s characteristics, ingredients, and actual use.

If you are unsure, prepare the product specification and ingredient list and ask the relevant specialist to review the classification before shipment.

Suggested Internal Link: Why Is the HS Code Important?

What Taxes Apply When Importing DHC Vitamins?

Import costs include more than the purchase price in Japan and the shipping cost.

Costs may include:

• Product cost
• Inland transportation in Japan
• International freight
• Insurance, where applicable
• Import duty
• VAT
• Customs clearance
• Handling
• Permit / compliance costs
• Warehousing
• Delivery within Thailand

Import duty must be assessed based on the HS Code and the applicable conditions. To claim preferential tax treatment, the country of origin and supporting proof of origin must also be checked.

Calculate the landed cost before setting the selling price.

Suggested Internal Link: What Is Customs Value (CIF)? A Guide to the 4 Steps for Calculating Import Duties and Taxes

Can You Automatically Use an FTA When Buying DHC Products from Japan?

You cannot determine eligibility based solely on the fact that the products were “purchased from Japan.”

The country from which goods are shipped and their country of origin are two different things.

To use FTA preferences, check at least:

• HS Code
• Country of origin
• Rules of origin
• Tariff rates under the relevant agreement
• Acceptable proof of origin

If the goods do not meet the rules of origin or the required evidence is unavailable or invalid, preferential tariff treatment cannot be claimed simply because the shipment was sent from Japan.

Should You Ship from Japan by Air Freight or Sea Freight?

The choice depends on quantity, weight, size, lead time, and the costs the business can accommodate.

Air Freight

Suitable for:

• Samples
• Small lots
• Urgent shipments
• Products that need to be restocked quickly
• Commercial shipments that are not yet high-volume

Sea Freight

Suitable for:

• Larger commercial lots
• Products that can be planned with a longer lead time
• Shipments where freight cost per unit may be lower than air freight in some cases

Do not choose based on freight cost alone. Consider the product’s shelf life and remaining shelf life as well.

Suggested Internal Link: Which Products Are Suitable for Air Freight? What You Need to Know Before Shipping

Why Are Shelf Life and Expiration Dates Important When Importing Vitamins?

Vitamins and dietary supplements have a limited shelf life. Before issuing a purchase order, check:

• Manufacturing date
• Expiration date
• Remaining shelf life
• Supplier production lead time
• Shipping lead time
• Customs clearance time
• Warehouse period
• Time required to sell the products

For example, if a product has a short remaining shelf life, a large discount from the supplier may not be worthwhile once transportation and the actual selling period are taken into account, as the stock may expire before it can be sold.

Inventory management for dietary supplements should also consider FEFO, or First Expired, First Out.

What Should You Check When Packing Vitamins from Japan?

Even if the products already have factory packaging, the outer export cartons must still be suitable for international transportation.

Check whether:

• The cartons are sturdy
• There is too much empty space inside
• The product packaging can be crushed
• The products are sensitive to heat or humidity
• The cartons can be stacked
• Shipping marks are clear
• The quantity in each carton matches the packing list

If there are multiple lots, keep lot and expiration-date information separate and easy to verify. Do not combine products in a way that makes them difficult to trace.

Suggested Internal Link: How to Pack Goods Safely: 5 Ways to Reduce Damage During International Shipping

Why Might Imported Vitamins Be Held at the Border or Experience Customs Clearance Delays?

Problems are not caused by customs alone. They may also result from missing information or incomplete requirements, such as:

• The product category was not checked before import
• The importer does not have the relevant license
• Product authorization is not ready
• Ingredients require further review
• Labels or product information are incomplete
• The LPI is not ready
• The product description on the invoice is too vague
• The quantity does not match the documents
• The HS Code requires further review
• The product and documents cannot be properly linked
• The shipment is selected for inspection

The best way to reduce risk is to check the products and documents before the goods leave Japan.

Do not wait until the goods arrive in Thailand to resolve issues.

What Should You Ask a Japanese Supplier Before Buying Vitamins?

Businesses preparing to import for the first time should request information before payment or before ordering a commercial lot, such as:

• In which country is the product manufactured?
• Who is the manufacturer?
• Is an ingredient list available?
• Is a product specification available?
• Are images of all sides of the label available?
• How much shelf life remains before expiration?
• What is the MOQ?
• What is the lot size?
• What are the package dimensions?
• What is the gross weight?
• Can the supplier issue a commercial invoice?
• Can the supplier provide additional certificates if required?

If the supplier cannot provide basic product information, the product authorization process and customs clearance may carry greater risks.

Should You Order Samples Before a Commercial Lot?

For a new product that has not been imported before, obtaining samples and product information can help you check:

• Packaging
• Label
• Ingredients
• Specification
• Product dimensions
• Weight
• Condition

This can be done before deciding on a commercial order.

However, importing samples does not mean that all requirements for health products can be bypassed. The purpose and applicable import procedures must still be considered in each case.

Checklist Before Importing DHC Vitamins from Japan

Before confirming a shipment, check at least the following:

• Clearly identify the SKUs to be imported
• Obtain the ingredient list and product specification
• Check the food category
• Confirm that the importer has the relevant license
• Complete product authorization according to the product category
• Check the Thai-language label
• Review product claims
• Check the HS Code
• Calculate duty, VAT, and landed cost
• Prepare the invoice and packing list
• Check the LPI before import, where applicable
• Verify lot quantities and expiration dates
• Choose air or sea freight according to the volume
• Review the final documents before the goods leave Japan

Completing these preparations in advance reduces the chance that goods will have to wait for documents during the import process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Importing DHC Vitamins (FAQ)

Can I Buy DHC Vitamins from a Store in Japan and Sell Them in Thailand Immediately?

You should not import them for sale without first checking the requirements. Commercial imports must follow the procedures applicable to the importer and the relevant food products.

Can Every DHC Vitamin Formula Use the Same Thai FDA Number?

Do not assume that this is the case. Each SKU may have a different formula and product details, so product authorization must be checked for each item according to its category.

Can Products with Only Japanese Labels Be Sold in Thailand?

Products sold in Thailand must be checked against Thai-language labeling requirements and the information required by law for the relevant product category before sale.

Are Small Imports Exempt from Thai FDA Requirements?

Imports for personal use must be distinguished from imports for commercial sale. A small quantity does not automatically exempt a commercial import from the applicable requirements.

Should I Arrange Shipping First or Obtain Thai FDA Approval First?

Check regulatory requirements and product readiness before booking a commercial shipment. Even if the goods can be transported to Thailand, they may not be cleared or sold as planned if the required documents or authorizations are not ready.

Importing Products from Japan with CPL INTER

CPL INTER provides shipping services from Japan to Thailand by air and sea, along with shipping documentation and customs clearance according to the service scope of each shipment.

For vitamins, dietary supplements, and health products, business operators should prepare the product name, photos, ingredients, product specification, quantity, dimensions, weight, value, and relevant documents. This helps the applicable requirements be checked before booking and allows transportation to be planned according to the product.

Tel: 02-519-4426 / 091-519-4426 LINE: @cplinter

Written by: CPL Inter Logistics Operations Team, specialists in international freight transportation and customs clearance, with more than 15 years of experience and an internationally recognized ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.