Importing food for exhibitions

Importing food for the purpose of organizing private sector exhibitions requires several steps and preparations. Here is a preliminary overview of the process:

• Apply for a temporary import or purchase permit for the food to be imported into the kingdom through the E-Submission system. The registration can be done here
• Contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food and Drug Administration Customs Office for the importation of food. These are the relevant authorities to coordinate with.
• Prepare the necessary documents for the food importation process at the Food and Drug Administration Customs Office:
  • Application form for temporary import or purchase permit (Form อ.12)
  • Copy of the commercial registration certificate or certified copy of the company or partnership registration document, issued within the past 6 months, showing the purpose and authorized signatory on behalf of the legal entity
  • Copy of the house registration document of the legal entity
  • Power of Attorney and appointment of an authorized person, affixed with a stamp duty of 30 Baht, along with a copy of the ID card of the grantor and the authorized person
  • In case of representation, attach a Power of Attorney for representation, affixed with a stamp duty of 10 Baht, along with a copy of the ID card of the grantor and the representative
  • Copy of the invoice or shipping document (Air Waybill / Bill of Lading / Notification to Collect International Postal Items) or other relevant documents
  • Declaration letter on import purpose, including certification of product quality standards and safety, and commitment not to sell or distribute the products after the exhibition
  • Letter certifying the exhibition venue
  • Letter from the exhibition organizer confirming the importer’s participation in the exhibition
  • Health certificate or Certificate of Free Sale issued by government agencies or certified organizations

Note: All copies of documents must be certified with the authorized signature of the responsible person or authorized signatory.

Additional information: Imported food must not be prohibited according to the Ministry of Public Health’s regulations. Further details can be found here

Source: Food and Drug Administration Customs Bureau, Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health

For more detailed information, please visit