Quick answer
Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam contract-manufacture capsules, tablets, gummies, sachets and functional drinks for EU, UK, US and Australian brands. Typical MOQ is 5,000-30,000 units per SKU, FOB USD 0.35-4.20 per unit, lead time 70-120 days. Ingredient legality in your destination market, not price, is what kills most projects.
Country fit
| Country | Best for | MOQ | FOB (60-capsule bottle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Capsules, gummies, herbal extracts, FDA-registered plants | 5,000 units | USD 1.10-4.20 |
| Malaysia | Halal supplements, sachets, functional powders | 10,000 units | USD 1.00-3.60 |
| Vietnam | Value tablets, drinks, collagen sachets | 20,000 units | USD 0.35-2.20 |
Specs to lock before quoting
- Format: hard capsule, softgel, tablet, gummy, powder sachet or liquid shot.
- Actives and overage: dose per serving, assay method, and overage to hold label claim at expiry.
- Excipients: vegan capsule shell, gelatin source, sweetener and allergen status.
- Packaging: HDPE bottle, blister or stick pack; induction seal, desiccant, child-resistant cap.
- Shelf life: claimed months supported by stability data at the right storage condition.
- Label: nutrition and supplement panel format per market, warnings, batch and best-before.
Compliance
- EU: Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC, permitted vitamin and mineral forms, novel food status check, Regulation 1924/2006 for claims.
- UK: retained supplement rules plus GB novel food register.
- US: FDA cGMP 21 CFR 111, facility registration, NDI notification where relevant, DSHEA claim rules.
- Australia: TGA listed medicine pathway for many supplements, with permitted ingredients only.
- Halal or organic certification where the label carries the claim.
Quality control plan
- Audit GMP status and review the plant master file before sampling.
- Pilot batch with assay of every active, microbiology, heavy metals and pesticide residue.
- In-process checks on weight variation, disintegration, hardness and fill count.
- Pre-shipment AQL 2.5 on seal integrity, label accuracy, batch coding and carton condition.
Landed cost example
| Line | USD / 20,000 bottles of 60 capsules |
|---|---|
| FOB at USD 1.40 | 28,000 |
| Ocean freight (1x40HQ) + insurance | 3,200 |
| Duty, destination charges, testing amortised | 2,600-6,000 |
| Landed cost per bottle | USD 1.69-1.86 |
FAQ
Why did my formula get rejected at EU import?
Usually a non-permitted vitamin form, a botanical with novel food status, or a health claim not on the approved list.
Do I need my own stability study?
Yes for your exact pack and shelf-life claim. Borrowed data is not defensible.
Can gummies survive tropical shipping?
Only with the right pectin/gelatin system, sugar coating and reefer or insulated shipping. Test it before scaling.
Work with TUSKO
We handle plant selection and GMP audits, formulation and testing management, inspection and consolidated shipping under one purchase order and one price, with our fee already built into the landed cost. Send your formula or brief to contact@tuskoconsulting.com or WhatsApp Business @tuskoconsulting and we reply within 12-24 hours.