Are you about to open a shop selling creams, serums, or lipsticks on Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop? The first question you should ask before running ads or ordering a large stock lot isn't 'What price should I sell at,' but rather 'Does your product have a valid cosmetic notification number yet?'
Because if you slip up on this, your goods could be suspended from sale, seized, or your shop could be shut down immediately. Today we've summarized everything in one place — covering cosmetic FDA notification costs, the timeline, and the penalties for not having a license.
Do You Need FDA Notification to Sell Cosmetics?
The short answer is yes. In Thailand, all cosmetics are classified as 'controlled cosmetics,' for which the law requires manufacturers or importers to file a notification with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before putting them on the market.
What many people misunderstand is the phrase 'FDA registration.' In reality, cosmetics use a notification system, not a licensing process like certain drugs or supplements. Once notification is successful, you receive a 10-digit notification receipt number that must be printed on the product label.
What if you're just a 'middleman seller'?
If you take products to resell (reseller/dropshipper) without manufacturing or importing them yourself, you are not the notifier. However, you must verify that the product actually has a notification number and that it hasn't expired — because if you sell illegal goods, the end seller can be held jointly liable.
- Manufacturing/contract-manufacturing your own brand → You are the notifier and must handle it yourself
- Importing from abroad → You are the notifier in the capacity of importer
- Taking goods to resell → Fully verify the manufacturer's/importer's notification number
How Much Does Cosmetic FDA Notification Cost, and How Many Days Does It Take?
We won't state exact fee figures, because rates may change according to official announcements. But we want you to understand the cost structure and what it consists of, so you can budget correctly.
| Item | Nature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notification application fee | Per formula/item | Charged per product |
| Annual fee | Renewed each cycle | Maintains the notification receipt status |
| Document preparation cost | Formula/label/power of attorney | Additional if you hire a consultant |
The key principle is that the more SKUs you have, the more applications you need. For example, if you have 3 serum formulas (SRM-01, SRM-02, SRM-03) and 2 sizes of sunscreen, you must file notifications separately by item — it's not a one-time payment covering the entire brand.
As for the timeline, if you submit through the online system (e-submission) with complete and correct documents, the notification process is generally fast — within a few business days. But the part that actually takes time is usually preparing and correcting the documents, such as the ingredient formula, label information, and power of attorney. So always plan ahead before opening pre-orders.
Penalties for Selling Cosmetics Without a Notification Number
This is the part you shouldn't overlook. Selling cosmetics that haven't been notified, or using incorrect labels, is an offense under cosmetic law, which carries both fines and imprisonment depending on the nature of the offense, such as:
- Manufacturing/importing without notification — carries legal penalties, and goods may be seized
- Incorrect labels/no notification number on the packaging — is a labeling offense
- Exaggerated advertising (claiming to cure diseases, whitening in 3 days) — carries separate additional penalties
From the platform's perspective, shops that sell illegal products often get their products removed, sales suspended, or shops closed, which directly impacts sales and shop ratings. It's far more worthwhile to do it correctly from the start.
Pre-sale checklist for safety
- Has a 10-digit notification receipt number that hasn't expired
- Complete Thai label: name, formula, ingredients, manufacturing/expiry date, manufacturer/importer
- Keep confirming documents ready to present when the platform or officials request them
- Advertising text doesn't make exaggerated claims about benefits
Preparing for the 'Real Goods' After Notification Is Complete
Once the documents are ready, what follows is managing the actual products. Cosmetics are goods that are sensitive to heat and light and have expiration dates. Storing stock the wrong way can cause goods to deteriorate before they're sold out.
This is where a warehouse and fulfillment system like Flash Fulfillment comes in to help you focus fully on marketing, especially:
- Storage by expiry date (FEFO) — pick the lots nearest to expiry first, reducing dead stock
- Clear SKU separation — e.g., SRM-01 and SRM-02 don't get mixed up, reducing wrong-lot shipments
- Fast packing and shipping, especially during major campaigns or sale festivals when orders surge
- See stock quantities in real time to plan new production lots in time before running out
Key Takeaways
- Cosmetics in Thailand must have FDA notification and a notification receipt number on the label
- Regarding cosmetic FDA notification costs, charges are per product — the more SKUs, the more applications
- Online submission with complete documents is usually fast, but the variable is preparing the documents correctly
- Selling without notification carries fines, imprisonment, and the risk of shop closure
- After notification, a FEFO storage system helps preserve quality and reduce expired goods
If you're expanding your cosmetics brand and want stock, packing, and shipping to be systematized to support growth, consider consulting the Flash Fulfillment team to set up a warehouse system ready to sell all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do second-hand cosmetics or repackaged sales require notification?
Repackaging or changing packaging for sale is considered legally and label-wise risky. We recommend selling in the original packaging with a complete notification number, and making sure the product hasn't expired.
If importing from abroad to sell, who is the notifier?
The importer is the one who must file the notification in Thailand. You must have documents from the original manufacturer, ingredient formula information, and prepare a correct Thai label before putting it on the market.
Once I have a notification number, can I advertise in any way?
Not entirely. Notification makes the product legal to sell, but advertising still must not make exaggerated benefit claims, such as claiming to cure diseases or change the body, which carry separate penalties.
Does Flash Fulfillment also help with FDA documents?
Our main role is to manage the warehouse, storage by expiry date, packing, and shipping, so that your properly notified products reach customers in good quality. As for the notification, it should be carried out directly with cosmetic law experts.
