The Department is unaware of any prohibited edible non-prescribed goods* for export to Thailand.
1.2. Conditions
1.2.1 Food manufacturer auditing and registration with Thai Authorities
Thailand requires food manufacturers to have their establishments registered with the Thai authorities annually. To be registered, manufacturers must be audited.
Auditing can be achieved through commercial arrangements for example, by a Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) accredited food safety auditing system. Where food manufacturers do not use a JAS-ANZ accredited auditing system, the use of an independent third-party auditing system will be required. Auditing must meet HACCP standards or Codex good manufacturing practices.
1.2.2 Requirement of a production certificate for importing food products
On 9 February 2021, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) published notification no. 420 B.E. 2563 on the Food Production Processes, Processing Equipment/Utensils and Storage Practices (PDF 226 KB). The notification expanded the scope of food products required to present a production certificate to cover all types of imported food.
The notification covers manufacturers of all non-prescribed goods for human consumption including, edible salt, drinking water, mineral water or ice milk, canned food and acidified food that utilises thermal treatment.
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food importers to present a production certificate that demonstrates that a production standard, equivalent to MOPH’s requirements has been achieved. Examples of the international standards accepted by FDA (PDF 70 KB) have been published.
These requirements are outlined in Notification of the MOPH (Number 420) of B.E. 2563 (PDF 226 KB)
Production certificate -issued by a Certifying Body
A production certificate is a Document or Certificate Assuring Food Production Standards and issued by an organisation that follows the Codex Guidelines for the Design, Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CAC/GL 26-1997). For example, the certificate issued by a certification body (CB) being membered and accredited by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
For Australia, these certification bodies will need to be accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
The Thailand FDA will check the accredited certification body against the Accredited Bodies Search | JAS ANZ list. If your CB is not found, the production certificate will be delayed and/or declined by the Thailand FDA.
Producers may contact a JAS ANZ accredited body for information on how to obtain certification to the required standards.
Such certificates are required for the product registration with FDA and the product clearance processes at the point of entry into Thailand. If a copy of the original certificate is used, it must be verified prior to presenting it to FDA.
Verification of copies of the certificate may be conducted by:
- The certifying organisation where the certificate is issued;
- Australian embassy based in Thailand;
- Government organisation; or
- Notary public.
Australian exporters are advised to communicate with their Thai importers and suppliers to ensure the Thailand MOPH requirements are met.
Production certificate documentary evidence issued by the Department
Under Notification 420, Government Authorities in the food producing country are also authorised to issue documentary evidence which shows production standards equivalent to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) have been met.
Where a producer or exporter holds a production certificate from a certifying body that is not JAS-ANZ accredited (but still meets CODEX Guidelines) they can request the department to assess the certifying body certificates, showing they have been audited. The department can then issue a letter titled “Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice and HACCP”.
The letter will be issued in accordance with the certificate supplied to the department. Only the products listed within the scope of the certificate will be attached to the letter. The exporter must ensure the letter has been issued before exporting the food products to Thailand.
Where the food manufacturer is not also the exporter, the manufacturer will need to provide the letter to the exporter.
The letter can be presented to Port Authorities in Thailand to clear product/s.
*Importing country requirements for some non-prescribed goods that contain meat, fish, dairy or egg products and animal by-products are covered on the relevant meat, dairy, fish or egg pages in Micor. You should check for importing country requirements there.
