A category where the factory licence is the product
Thailand has a deep contract-manufacturing base for supplements, built around its food and cosmetics industries and its Thai FDA licensing regime. Malaysia adds strong halal-certified capacity. Both export routinely to Japan, Australia, the EU and the United States.
In this category, you are not really buying a formula. You are buying a licensed, audited facility that can prove what went into every batch.
Non-negotiable credentials
| Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| GMP certification | PIC/S GMP or equivalent; ask for the certificate and its scope by dosage form |
| Local FDA licence | Thai FDA manufacturing and product registration numbers |
| US FDA facility registration | Required for food-facility shipments into the USA, with a valid FEI number |
| HACCP / ISO 22000 | Food-safety system evidence for powders and gummies |
| Halal / Kosher | Market access in the Gulf, Malaysia, Indonesia; verify the certifying body |
Ask which dosage forms the GMP scope covers. A facility certified for tablets is not automatically certified for gummies or softgels.
Dosage forms and realistic MOQ
- Capsules (two-piece HPMC or gelatin): 5,000–10,000 units
- Tablets: 10,000+ units, higher tooling sensitivity
- Gummies: 10,000–20,000 units, plus mould costs for custom shapes
- Powders and sachets: 300–500 kg or 10,000 sachets
- Liquid shots: 10,000 bottles, with filling-line constraints
Lead times run 60–90 days including stability work, and bottle or pouch components are frequently the long pole rather than the formula.
Label claims are your legal exposure
Every destination market treats claims differently. The US allows structure-function claims with a disclaimer and requires a Supplement Facts panel; the EU restricts claims to the authorised health claims register and blocks most botanical claims; Australia treats most supplements as listed medicines via the TGA. Do not let a factory write your label. Have the artwork reviewed for your market and hold approval control.
Testing you should insist on
- Certificate of analysis per raw material lot, with identity testing
- Heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residue on finished goods
- Active ingredient assay confirming label dosage
- Accelerated and real-time stability to justify shelf life
- Retained samples held at the factory for the full shelf-life period
Working with TUSKO
We verify the GMP scope and licence status before sampling, run the formula and packaging development in parallel, control the stability and assay testing, and consolidate finished goods to your warehouse on a single landed price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own the formula?
Yes, when it is written into the manufacturing agreement. Otherwise the factory's house formula stays theirs and can be sold to your competitor.
Is Thailand suitable for US-market supplements?
Yes, provided the facility holds a current US FDA food-facility registration and your labelling follows US rules; confirm both before your first purchase order.
How long is a realistic shelf life?
24 months is typical for capsules and tablets, 12–18 months for gummies, but the number must be supported by stability data, not assumed.
What raises unit cost most?
Active ingredient grade and dosage, followed by packaging. Switching from a branded patented extract to a generic one can move cost more than any negotiation.
Talk to our team about a private-label supplement programme, or browse the sourcing categories we cover.