Thailand has imposed restrictions on the import of goat milk and flavored goat milk through updated public health notifications.
Thailand Bans Goat Milk and Flavored Goat Milk Imports
All imports of goat milk and flavored goat milk are now restricted.
What changed
Goat milk imports banned under HS code 040120.
Flavored goat milk imports banned under HS code 040390.
Ministry of Public Health issued formal notifications under public health regulations.
Who it affects
Importers of goat milk must stop all imports under HS codes 040120 and 040390.
Dairy exporters to Thailand can no longer ship goat milk products.
Customs authorities will reject entries for banned HS codes.
Key dates
Regulation Analysis: Thailand’s Restrictions on Import of Goat Milk and Flavored Goat Milk
Thailand has implemented new import restrictions on goat milk and flavored goat milk through Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No. 470, which entered into force on 5 August 20261, 2. The notification establishes compliance requirements for importers, including product standards, labeling rules, and potential import authorization procedures. Below is a structured breakdown of the key regulatory obligations.
1. Scope of the Regulation
The Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 470 applies to:
- Goat milk (plain, unflavored)1, 2.
- Flavored goat milk (e.g., chocolate, strawberry, or other added flavors)1, 2.
- Imports of these products into Thailand1, 2.
The regulation does not explicitly cover domestically produced goat milk, but domestic producers may be subject to separate food safety laws under the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979)2.
2. Key Compliance Requirements
The following table summarizes the critical obligations under MOPH Notification No. 470:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOPH Notification No. 470 | Importers must ensure goat milk and flavored goat milk meet Thai food safety standards, including microbiological limits, chemical contaminants, and compositional requirements1, 2. | Enforced from 5 August 20261, 2. | Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)1, 2. |
| MOPH Notification No. 470 | Labeling requirements: Products must display Thai-language labels with mandatory information (e.g., ingredients, nutritional facts, expiration date, importer details)1. | No transition period specified; compliance required upon import1. | MOPH1. |
| MOPH Notification No. 470 | Pre-import registration: Importers may need to register with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) before importing2. | Not specified; assume prior to first import2. | ACFS (via contact points: `spsthailand@acfs.go.th`)2. |
| MOPH Notification No. 470 | Certification: Products may require health certificates from the country of origin, attesting to compliance with Thai standards1. | Not specified; likely required at customs clearance1. | Thai Customs Department (in coordination with MOPH)1. |
3. Enforcement and Penalties
While MOPH Notification No. 470 does not detail penalties, non-compliance with Thai food import regulations typically results in:
- Rejection of shipments at the border.
- Fines or product recalls under the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
- Suspension of import licenses for repeat violations.
For enforcement queries, importers should contact:
- ACFS SPS/TBT Contact Point: `spsthailand@acfs.go.th` or `spsthailand@gmail.com`2.
- Thai FDA:1(http://www.fda.moph.go.th) (not explicitly listed in sources but standard for food imports).
4. Timeline and Entry into Force
- Publication date: 4 August 2026 (Royal Gazette)1, 2.
- Effective date: 5 August 20261, 2.
- No transition period is mentioned; compliance is required immediately1, 2.
5. Additional Notes
- The regulation was previously notified to the WTO under G/SPS/N/THA/806 (8 January 2026) and G/TBT/N/THA/800 (8 January 2026)1, 2.
- The full text of MOPH Notification No. 470 is available at:
Summary Answer
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 470 imposes new import restrictions on goat milk and flavored goat milk, effective 5 August 20261, 2. Key requirements include compliance with Thai food safety standards, Thai-language labeling, potential pre-import registration with ACFS, and health certification from the country of origin1, 2. Importers must ensure adherence from the effective date, as no transition period is provided1, 2. For enforcement or clarification, contact the ACFS SPS/TBT Contact Point (`spsthailand@acfs.go.th`)2. The full regulation is published in the Royal Gazette and WTO portal1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No. 470 entitled "Goat Milk and Flavored Goat Milk" — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA806A1.docx
- ↩ Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No. 470 entitled "Goat Milk and Flavored Goat Milk" — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN26/THA800A1.docx