Thailand (TH)
1.1 Establishment registration
| Initial listing procedures | Required? |
|---|---|
| Export registration | Yes |
| Establishment listing required for Thailand | No |
Exceptions (ship stores)
Export certification is not issued for ships stores as the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 do not apply. Ships stores are milk and milk products on ships or aircraft for the use of passengers and crew or for the service of the ships or aircraft on a voyage from Australia.
1.2 Overseas listing
1.3 Prohibited products
There are no known products that are prohibited for export to this market.
1.4 General information
The Thai Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Public Health is responsible for administering Thailand's Food Act B.E.2522 (1979). Information about this legislation is available at the FDA official website.
The United States has completed the following reports which may provide guidance on requirements:
- a report in 2008 on Thailand's product registration requirements and
- a report in 2012 on Thailand's import regulations and standards.
The Thai FDA has also issued provisional procedures for the import of whey protein concentrate. The Department has been informed that these procedures are temporary.
Exporters should check current requirements with their importers.
2.1 Milk and milk products
Milk and milk products of bovine origin are defined as prescribed goods under the Export Control Act. Production of these products for export is regulated under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Milk and milk products manufactured from non-bovine species, for example buffalo, goat and sheep, may also need to be regulated through the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, though this is only required when export registration and health certification from the Department is required by Thailand.
We are not aware that Thailand has any known additional requirements for the production and export of non-bovine milk and milk products.
2.2 Compositional requirements
2.3 Further information
3.1 Technical grade and pharmaceutical products
Unless technical products and pharmaceutical material are prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods. They are not regulated by the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Animal feed
Unless animal food is prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods.
In accordance with the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, if animal food is produced by export registered establishments, the animal food must be clearly identified as animal food and not for human consumption. It must also be segregated from and not contaminate milk and milk products that are for human consumption.
Further information
The United States has completed the following report which may provide guidance on requirements:
a report in 2013 on Thailand's animal feed requirements.
Exporters should check current requirements with their importers.
3.3 Manufacturing grade products
Thailand has no known additional requirements for Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products that differ from the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Manufacturing Grade products are defined in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
3.4 Processing
3.5 Further information
4.1 Microbial and residue sampling
Thailand has adopted the following microbiological standards for infant formula:
1. Enterobacter sakazakii: n=3, c=0, m=0/100g.
Thailand has adopted the sampling plan for E. sakazakii specified in the Codex standard for Powdered Follow up and Formula for Special Medical Purposes for Young Children (the Codex standard was adopted by the last meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene, as per Alinorm 08/31/13 Annex II).
2. Bacillus cereus: the level of B. cereus in infant formula shall not exceed 100 cfu/g, which is equivalent to the Australian standard as outlined in Standard 1.6.1. of the Food Standards Code.
Export registered establishments producing infant formula for export to Thailand must reflect the above microbiological standards in their Approved Arrangement product testing procedure. A NATA accredited laboratory does not need to be used, however the Australian Standard test method should be used and reflected in the test results. The specific batch that was exported does not need to be tested. The Approved Arrangement product testing procedure must indicate that infant formula exported to Thailand is tested in the fortnight of production (ie. plus or minus 14 days). For example if infant formula exported to Thailand was manufactured on 14/10/08 there should be at least one test result available for a similar product, which was manufactured between 1/10/08 and 28/10/08.
The export registered establishment’s Approved Arrangement product testing procedure for Thai requirements for infant formula and test results for infant formula exported to Thailand are subject to audit.
Thailand has no other known additional requirements for microbial sampling of milk and milk products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Thailand residue standards
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Thailand or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Thailand and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Thailand standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the Thailand MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
- Note
- Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.
4.2 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
Thailand has no known additional requirements for general operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
4.3 Hygiene
Thailand has no known additional hygiene requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Milk and milk products
Milk and milk products that are prescribed under Australia's export rule
- are milk or milk products derived from a bovine animal; and
- are intended to be exported as food.
Milk and milk products that are not prescribed under Australia's export rules
Milk and milk products which do not meet the criteria under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 are classified by Australia as non-prescribed goods. It is the responsibility of the exporter to confirm with Thailand if there are any specific requirements for the import of these products. Typically, non-prescribed goods include, ice-cream, non-bovine milk products, colostrum and products with a minor component of dairy.
Further information on exporting non-prescribed goods from Australia is available on the Department's website.
In some cases, an importing country requires specific health certification and government oversight for what would typically be non-prescribed milk and milk products. When required, these products become prescribed under export legislation and must meet all export and importing country requirements. This includes the products being manufactured and stored at an export registered establishment and must have a valid export permit and health certificate for each consignment. Guidance on export registration can be found at Dairy export registered establishments.
5.1.1 Health certification for milk and milk products
For milk and milk products produced for human consumption (including milk and milk products classified as a prescribed good by an importing Country), use Health Certificate template ZD035.
The ZD035 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian Origin
Endorsement 422 - DAIRY - THAI radioactivity and disease
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed the levels established by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
Australia was free from Foot and Mouth disease and Rinderpest for twelve months prior to the export of the above product. Australia is free from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). I hereby declare that the goods described above have not originated from animals from the properties in Victoria currently quarantined due to anthrax cases.
Exporter declarations
Exporters/manufacturers may be asked to provide a HACCP and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Certificate. The Department can provide a statement indicating that the products were processed in an export-registered establishment that:
- complies with all the relevant requirements under the Export Control Act and associated Rules, including GMP and HACCP
- are regularly reviewed against these requirements.
For infant formula exported to Thailand, exporters must include the exporter declaration:
‘Infant Formula in this shipment complies with Thailands Cronobacter and Bacillus testing requirements. Results are supported by NATA certification or covered in the manufacturers approved arrangement’
Specific provision requirements for products containing whey protein concentrate
The Thai FDA has also issued provisional procedures for the import of whey protein concentrate. The Department has been informed that these procedures are temporary.
The Department has been informed by the FDA that a certificate of analysis should be from an internationally accredited laboratory (ISO 1375).
ZD035 Dairy Health Certificate
Transit Certification Requirements
Milk and milk products transiting the European Union or the United States may require transit documentation. These certificates are available as additional certificates through the NEXDOC system. If the product is transiting the United States, standard certification is required and the exporter should contact the Department for advice on how this certification may be issued. If the product is transiting a European Union member state, see the particular European Union member state regarding the certificate template to select.
5.2 Manufacturing grade products
For Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products, use the ZD016 Certificate as to Condition for Manufacturing Grade products.
The ZD016 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Of Australian Origin
Endorsement 422 - DAIRY - THAI radioactivity and disease
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed the levels established by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
Australia was free from Foot and Mouth disease and Rinderpest for twelve months prior to the export of the above product. Australia is free from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). I hereby declare that the goods described above have not originated from animals from the properties in Victoria currently quarantined due to anthrax cases.
5.3 Technical grade and pharmaceutical products
The ZD001 Certificate as to Condition may be issued for technical products and pharmaceutical material.
The ZD001 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information on this form is true and correct in every particular details and that the product described above is of Australian origin and is acceptable for sale in Australia.
5.4 Animal feed
The ZD015 Certificate as to Condition for Stockfood can be issued for stockfood made from milk and milk products.
The ZD015 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Of Australian origin.
Endorsement 422 - DAIRY - THAI radioactivity and disease
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed the levels established by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
Australia was free from Foot and Mouth disease and Rinderpest for twelve months prior to the export of the above product. Australia is free from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). I hereby declare that the goods described above have not originated from animals from the properties in Victoria currently quarantined due to anthrax cases.
5.5 Consignments under 10 kilograms and trade samples
It is the responsibility of exporters to determine through their importers if export certification is required for consignments and trade samples that are less than 10 kilograms or 10 litres, as an export permit is not required.
5.6 Additional certification/letters
The ZX01 Certificate as to Dioxin Status of Australian Dairy Products is available on request.
European Union (EU) transit certificates are available for consignments transiting the EU. Refer to the EU documentation requirements for edible products for the reference numbers and attestations in these certificates.
6.1 Import permit
Exporters should ensure that their importer complies with any requirements to obtain a permit for imports into Thailand.
6.2 Port-of-entry inspection and testing
7.1 Packaging
In addition to those requirements provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, on 1 June 2022, Thailand Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No. 435 titled, “Specification of Qualities or Standards of Food Packaging Made from Plastics” came into force.
The Notification provides definitions for packaging made from plastic and recycled plastic. Clause 6 details regulation of packaging made from plastic which is used to contain milk or milk products. Please refer to the attached for a full translated copy of the Notification (PDF 295 KB).
7.2 Labelling
Thailand has no known specific requirements for labelling in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
7.3 Shelf life
Thailand has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions other than those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
7.4 Shipping marks
Under Section 59 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017), packages or containers of goods imported into or exported out of Thailand must display external shipping marks or numbers (indicating the number of packages).
The shipping marks or numbers are required to be accurately depicted on all documents relating to the goods.
7.5 Further information
Thailand has no known specific requirements for shipping and airfreight. Milk and milk products must be transported to ensure their condition and integrity is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
8.1 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
03/01/2024 - Updated packaging requirements (section 7.1).
03/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 4.1).
20/02/2022 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Dairy headings.
05/10/2021 - Removal and replacement of Dairy by Definition wording.
09/06/2021 - References to export legislation have been updated.
03/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 4.1).
20/02/2022 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Dairy headings.
05/10/2021 - Removal and replacement of Dairy by Definition wording.
09/06/2021 - References to export legislation have been updated.