Market
Dried black beans in Thailand are primarily supplied through imports, with trade captured under dried, shelled leguminous-vegetable HS categories that include Phaseolus beans (e.g., HS 071333 and HS 071339) depending on classification practice. UN Comtrade-derived data show Thailand imported HS 071333 (dried kidney beans/Phaseolus vulgaris group) at about USD 0.6M in 2023, while HS 071339 (other dried beans, shelled) imports were about USD 3.7M in 2023. Imports for HS 071339 were concentrated in nearby suppliers (notably Myanmar and Lao PDR), while HS 071333 imports were led by China, indicating both cross-border and seaborne sourcing patterns. As a dry, shelf-stable pulse, availability is generally year-round, but market access depends heavily on plant quarantine documentation and inspection at entry.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (with some regional trading/re-export activity in dried beans categories)
Domestic RoleImported dried pulses sold through bulk wholesale and prepackaged retail channels; limited evidence of significant domestic cultivation specific to black beans.
SeasonalityGenerally year-round availability due to shelf-stable storage and continuous import flows; no strong harvest-driven seasonality is typically observed at retail/wholesale level.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPlant quarantine non-compliance (e.g., missing/incorrect phytosanitary documentation where required, misclassification of regulated plant articles, or pest findings at inspection) can lead to shipment detention, treatment, re-export, or destruction at entry into Thailand.Confirm DOA import status (prohibited/restricted/unprohibited) for the specific bean product form and origin, align documents to DOA requirements, and run a pre-shipment document + pest-control checklist with the exporter and broker.
Food Safety MediumQuality and safety failures such as excess foreign matter, insect infestation, moisture out-of-spec, pesticide residue exceedances, or mycotoxin non-compliance can trigger rejection or costly reconditioning; Codex CXS 171-1989 provides reference limits for moisture and extraneous matter for pulses.Contract to Codex-aligned specs (moisture, extraneous matter, defect tolerances), require COA/testing as appropriate, and implement inbound inspection plus pest-management in warehouses.
Logistics MediumAs a freight-intensive bulk commodity, dried beans’ landed cost and quality risk are sensitive to freight-rate spikes, border delays, and humidity exposure during multimodal transport into Thailand.Use moisture-protective packaging/liners, desiccants where appropriate, select reliable routes/forwarders, and build schedule buffers during peak congestion periods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumRetail-ready prepackaged dried beans that lack compliant Thai FDA/MOPH labelling (Thai language and required elements) may face enforcement actions, including seizure risk for improperly labelled imports depending on category and inspection outcomes.Have the Thai importer validate label compliance against current MOPH/Thai FDA notifications and apply Thai labels correctly before distribution.
FAQ
Which HS categories most commonly cover dried black beans in Thailand trade statistics?Dried black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are commonly captured in dried, shelled legume HS categories that include Phaseolus beans, notably HS 071333 (kidney beans/Phaseolus vulgaris group) and sometimes HS 071339 (other dried beans) depending on how the product is classified in the national tariff schedule.
What are commonly referenced quality parameters for dried beans in Thailand import contracts?Codex CXS 171-1989 is a common international reference for pulses, including beans: it provides moisture guidance for beans (15% for tropical/long storage; 19% for moderate/short storage) and sets limits for extraneous matter (max 1%, with sub-limits for mineral matter and impurities of animal origin).
What documents are typically needed to clear imported dried beans into Thailand?Customs clearance typically relies on an electronic import declaration plus core shipping documents such as the bill of lading/air waybill and commercial invoice; additional permits/licenses apply for controlled goods. For regulated plant products, phytosanitary documentation and plant quarantine inspection requirements may also apply, and a certificate of origin is needed when claiming preferential tariffs (e.g., under ATIGA).