Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionHerbal/Food Ingredient
Market
Licorice-root powder in Thailand is primarily an import-dependent ingredient used in the manufacture of herbal products, where the regulatory pathway is overseen by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA). For imported herbal products intended for sale, Thai FDA guidance indicates importers must obtain the relevant import/product permissions and, for each shipment, obtain a License per Invoice (LPI), file an import declaration with Thai Customs, and present specified documents (including a manufacturer Certificate of Analysis) for checkpoint review. Market access risk is dominated by regulatory classification and documentation accuracy, because Thai FDA describes distinct import steps depending on whether the item is treated as a herbal product, food, medicine, etc. Supply continuity can also be affected by upstream resource and sustainability constraints in wild-harvest supply chains referenced by FAO for liquorice sourcing regions.
Market RoleImport-dependent ingredient and herbal-products market (net importer)
Domestic RoleIngredient used in the production of regulated herbal products; potential use as a flavoring component is classification-dependent
SeasonalityAvailability is effectively year-round and driven by import logistics and regulatory clearance rather than domestic harvest seasonality.
Specification
Primary VarietyGlycyrrhiza spp. (commonly referenced: Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. uralensis, G. inflata)
Physical Attributes- Traded as dried and ground root/rhizome material (powder) or as processed extract powder depending on product definition and intended use.
Compositional Metrics- Quality specifications commonly referenced in standards include identity testing (e.g., chromatographic identification), marker compound testing, and contaminant controls (heavy metals, pesticide residues), with moisture/ash parameters often specified for raw botanical material.
Grades- Buyer/importer specifications may reference ISO-based quality and safety requirements for Glycyrrhiza root/rhizome (e.g., moisture/ash limits, marker compounds, heavy metals, pesticide residues).
Packaging- Packaging, storage, and transportation requirements are addressed in ISO 19025:2024 (for Glycyrrhiza root/rhizome) and should be aligned with importer requirements and Thai FDA checkpoint documentation controls.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas supplier shipment → Thai importer obtains required herbal product import/product permissions → per-shipment License per Invoice (LPI) → Thai Customs import declaration → Thai FDA Food and Drug Checkpoint document review (incl. manufacturer Certificate of Analysis) and sampling where required → importer warehousing → distribution to licensed manufacturers/formulators
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighThai FDA import clearance for licorice-root powder can be blocked or significantly delayed if the product is misclassified (e.g., treated under the wrong category) or if required permissions/documents (including LPI where applicable and manufacturer COA) are missing or inconsistent at the Food and Drug Checkpoint.Confirm the intended-use classification with Thai FDA prior to shipment; align the product permission route (registration/notification/listing as applicable) and run a pre-shipment document/label/COA checklist against Thai FDA checkpoint requirements.
Food Safety MediumCheckpoint review explicitly requires a manufacturer Certificate of Product Quality Analysis (COA), and buyer/standard expectations for botanicals often include contaminant controls (e.g., heavy metals, pesticide residues); non-conforming lots can be detained or rejected and create downstream compliance exposure.Qualify suppliers with documented quality systems; require COA parameters aligned to recognized Glycyrrhiza standards and conduct incoming verification testing for identity/markers and contaminants.
Sustainability MediumUpstream supply can be exposed to wild-harvest management constraints and resource depletion dynamics in origin regions, which can tighten supply availability or raise due-diligence expectations for importers.Diversify origins and prioritize cultivated or sustainably managed supply; request origin documentation and harvesting management evidence where wild collection is involved.
Sustainability- Wild-harvest resource depletion and quota-based management in upstream liquorice supply chains (supply continuity and reputational risk for Thai importers sourcing from wild-collection origins).
Standards- ISO 19025:2024 (Glycyrrhiza root and rhizome quality and safety requirements reference)
FAQ
What are the core steps to import licorice-root powder into Thailand when it is treated as an imported herbal product for sale?Thai FDA guidance for imported herbal products for sale describes four core steps: obtain the relevant permission to import and the appropriate product permission (registration/notification/listing as applicable), obtain a License per Invoice (LPI) for each shipment where applicable, file an import declaration with Thai Customs, and present the shipment for inspection/document review at the Food and Drug Checkpoint.
Which shipment documents are commonly reviewed at the Thai FDA checkpoint for imported herbal products?Thai FDA guidance lists documents such as the import declaration, invoice and bill of lading/air waybill, LPI, a manufacturer Certificate of Product Quality Analysis (COA), a power of attorney for checkpoint procedures (as applicable), and a product sample for official inspection when required.
Why is product classification a major risk for licorice-root powder imports into Thailand?Thai FDA publishes different import steps depending on product category (for example, herbal products versus food), and the imported herbal-products pathway specifies particular permissions and checkpoint documents. If licorice-root powder is submitted under the wrong category or with incomplete documentation, clearance can be delayed or blocked.