Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormBotanical extract (powder/paste/liquid)
Industry PositionBotanical extract ingredient for food and herbal product manufacturing
Market
Licorice root extract (typically traded under HS 1302.12) enters Thailand primarily as an imported botanical ingredient used by manufacturers rather than as a consumer retail staple. In Thailand, the regulatory path is highly use- and claims-dependent: the same ingredient may fall under Thai FDA food import controls when used as a food ingredient, or under the Thai FDA herbal products framework when positioned as (or used in) herbal products. Thai FDA requires food importers to hold an import license under the Food Act, and it also describes classification and permission steps for herbal products (including substances intended as ingredients for herbal products). This creates a practical market-access focus on upfront classification, documentation readiness (quality specifications, GMP evidence), and claim/label control to avoid border delays or rejection.
Market RoleImport-dependent ingredient and formulator market
Domestic RoleManufacturing input for regulated food and herbal product supply chains
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighThailand market access can be blocked or severely delayed if licorice root extract is misclassified (e.g., presented with medicinal/health claims that push it into a herbal-products pathway, or imported as food without the required Thai FDA food-import licensing). Misalignment between intended use/claims and the Thai FDA regulatory category can trigger detention, rework, or refusal at entry.Lock the intended use and claims before shipment; confirm the Thai FDA category (food vs herbal product) with the Thai importer; ensure the importer holds the required Thai FDA license/permission and prepare category-appropriate documentation (specs/COA, GMP evidence, labels).
Food Safety MediumGlycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid exposure from licorice can cause serious adverse effects in sensitive populations and at high intake, increasing the likelihood of formulation limits, label scrutiny, and reputational risk for products sold in Thailand that contain licorice extract.Specify and test glycyrrhizin levels per lot; control use levels in formulations; consider deglycyrrhizinated options for certain applications; keep documentation ready for importer/manufacturer risk assessments.
Sustainability MediumA meaningful share of licorice-root supply can come from wild collection; because roots are harvested, unsustainable practices can destroy plants and degrade resource bases, creating abrupt supply constraints and buyer reputational risk in Thailand’s audited supply chains.Prefer cultivated sources or documented sustainable wild-collection programs; require legal harvest permissions and chain-of-custody records; consider credible wild-collection standards/certifications where applicable.
Logistics MediumCustoms/document mismatches and inspection holds can disrupt lead times for Thailand-based manufacturers relying on imported licorice extract inputs, even when the product is freight-efficient.Use experienced Thai customs brokers; pre-check import declaration data and document consistency (invoice, packing list, AWB/BL, product specs/COA); maintain buffer stock for critical production inputs.
Sustainability- Wild-harvest pressure and resource depletion risk in licorice root supply chains because the traded part is the root (harvest can destroy plants); credible sustainable wild-collection or cultivated supply can be important for buyer due diligence
- Traceability gaps for wild-collected botanicals can obscure legal harvest permissions, sustainability practices, and chain-of-custody integrity
Labor & Social- Heightened due diligence needs where supply relies on dispersed rural collectors and informal aggregation (documentation, land-use permissions, and traceability), particularly for wild-harvested licorice roots
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- GMP
FAQ
Does Thailand require a license to import licorice root extract when it is brought in as a food ingredient for sale?Yes. Thai FDA states that importing food for sale requires an import license under section 15 of Thailand’s Food Act, and the importer must have a place of business in Thailand. Thai FDA also indicates importers should prepare product quality details and evidence of an appropriate GMP-equivalent manufacturing system standard, as applicable.
When could licorice root extract fall under Thailand’s herbal-products regulatory pathway instead of a food-import pathway?Thai FDA explains that “herbal products” can include substances intended to be used as an ingredient in the production of herbal products, and it describes a process that starts with product classification and risk assessment before permission steps. If the intended use, presentation, or claims align with herbal product categories, the herbal-products pathway may apply.
What is one major sustainability risk buyers should screen for in licorice supply chains serving Thailand?Overharvesting of wild licorice roots is a recognized risk because the harvested part is the root, which can destroy the plant and degrade the resource base. This can create both supply disruption risk and reputational risk if buyers cannot demonstrate responsible sourcing and traceability.