Thailand allows the import of prescription and specialty medicines for personal medical use, but the process is regulated by Thai FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and Thai Customs. Specialty medicines — such as oncology drugs, targeted therapies, biologics, and rare-disease treatments — are reviewed more strictly and may require additional documentation before release.
This guide explains what patients need to know before importing personal-use medications into Thailand.
Is Personal Import Allowed in Thailand?
Yes — Thailand permits personal import of prescription and specialty medicines under specific conditions:
- Medicines must be for individual treatment only.
- Not for resale or commercial distribution.
- Quantity must be reasonable (usually up to 30–90 days’ supply).
- Some products may require Thai FDA permits.
Specialty Medicines Requiring Extra Screening
Thailand closely monitors these classes:
- Cancer and chemotherapy drugs
- Immunotherapy and targeted treatments
- Biologics & biosimilars
- Rare-disease (orphan) medicines
- Injectable therapies
- Medicines with controlled ingredients
Certain strong opioids or psychotropics require special import permits from Thai FDA.
Required Documents
To ensure smooth customs clearance, prepare:
Doctor’s Prescription
Including:
- Patient’s name
- Medication name, dosage, duration
- Doctor’s full details
Medical Summary / Treatment Letter
Explaining:
- Diagnosis
- Medical need
- Ongoing treatment plan
Invoice / Proof of Purchase
Must list medicine name, strength, quantity.
Patient Identity Proof
Passport or Thai ID (if resident).
Cold-Chain Handling Note (if applicable)
Thai FDA & Customs Regulations
Thailand FDA and customs may:
- Inspect the parcel
- Verify prescriptions
- Ask for medical justification
- Request additional paperwork
- Reject shipments if medicines look commercial
Medicines shipped without proper documentation can be held or returned.
Taxes & Duties
Thailand may apply:
- Import duties
- VAT (7%)
Tax is based on product value and classification. Specialty medicines often need payment before release.
Quantity Limits for Personal Use
Generally:
- 1–3 months’ supply is allowed
- Excessive quantity = flagged for commercial intent
Thai FDA takes quantity checks seriously.
Controlled & Restricted Medicines
Medicines with controlled active ingredients (e.g., strong painkillers, psychotropics) require:
- Special import permits
- Thai FDA approval before shipment reaches customs
Imports without a permit can be confiscated.
Possible Customs Outcomes
Depending on documentation:
- Shipment released
- Held for verification
- Additional permits requested
- Returned to sender
- Seized for regulatory violations
Accurate documents greatly reduce risk.
Official Thai FDA Verification Links
You can safely include these for customer trust:
- Thai FDA – Importing Drugs for Personal Use
https://www.fda.moph.go.th - Thai Customs – Personal Goods Import Regulations
https://www.customs.go.th - Thailand Controlled Substances Regulations
https://www.fda.moph.go.th/sites/drug/Pages/default.aspx
These URLs help customers validate rules officially.
Important Notes
- Personal import does not require product registration.
- Only patient-specific imports are permitted.
- Keep all medical documents ready for customs inspection.
- Cold-chain medicines must be clearly labeled and properly packaged.