Sector Business Licences in Thailand – FDA, Tour Business, Import–Export and Factory

Registering a limited company gives the business a legal personality, a registration number and the ability to sign contracts. It does not by itself authorise every activity. Thai law attaches separate licensing regimes to many activities, each administered by its own authority, and the company may need several before it can trade lawfully.

The licences that apply depend on what the company actually does: the products it sells, whether it imports or manufactures, whether it serves tourists, handles food or health products, or operates premises above certain thresholds. Two companies with similar names and objectives can need very different licences.

Foreign ownership adds another dimension. Under the Foreign Business Act, many service activities and some others are restricted for foreign-majority companies, which may need a Foreign Business Licence, a Foreign Business Certificate under BOI promotion or a treaty route before operating. Sector licensing authorities may ask for evidence of this, so we check ownership first.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, hazardous household substances and some other health products. Requirements differ by category and risk level: some products need full registration, some a notification or listing, and the premises of manufacturers and importers may need their own licence.

Cosmetics placed on the Thai market generally require a notification before sale, filed by a Thai juristic person that is the manufacturer or importer. Many foods require a food serial number, and supplements and certain categories need more detailed review. Labels must follow Thai labelling rules, including Thai-language information.

Foreign brands commonly use a Thai company as the importer of record. That company holds the FDA notifications or registrations, so the brand should consider carefully who that company is and what happens if the relationship ends. We advise on structuring the importer role and prepare the FDA filings with consistent product and premises data.

Operating a tour business — arranging and selling tours to the public — requires a tour business licence from the Department of Tourism under the Tourism Business and Guide Act. The licence is categorised by scope, such as local, domestic, inbound or outbound tours, and each category carries its own security deposit and conditions.

Applicants must meet requirements on the company, its directors and its staff, and must follow rules on licensed guides and customer protection. A company that only sells accommodation or transport may fall under different rules, so we review the business model before choosing a licence category.

Because tourism services are restricted for foreigners under the Foreign Business Act, a foreign-majority company usually needs a Foreign Business Licence or another exemption before applying. We check the shareholding and the proposed activities first, to avoid preparing a tour licence application that cannot succeed.

Companies that import or export goods register with the Customs Department, usually through its electronic system, so that customs declarations can be filed in the company's name. Registration is generally straightforward, but the information must match the company register and VAT registration.

Some goods are controlled. Depending on the product, imports or exports may need permits or certificates from the Department of Foreign Trade, the Thai FDA, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock Development or other agencies. Controls change over time, so we check the current position for each product line.

Customs valuation, tariff classification and preferential origin under trade agreements can significantly affect duty. We work with licensed customs brokers on declarations and focus our own role on making sure the company holds the registrations and permits it needs before the first shipment arrives.

Manufacturing premises may require a factory licence from the Department of Industrial Works under the Factory Act, depending on the type of operation, machinery capacity and number of workers. Smaller operations may fall below the licensing threshold or need only a notification, while larger ones need a licence before operating.

Factory licensing interacts with land-use and building rules, environmental requirements and, for some industries, environmental impact assessment. A site chosen without checking zoning can prove unsuitable after a lease has been signed. We recommend reviewing licensing feasibility before committing to premises.

We coordinate with engineers and environmental consultants where technical reports are required, and keep the legal file — company documents, lease, plans and licence applications — consistent. After approval, we track renewals, expansions and changes that may require amendment of the licence.

Licences are not one-off approvals. Many must be renewed, many require notification of changes in directors, address, products or capacity, and some authorities inspect premises periodically. A licence that lapses or no longer matches the business can lead to penalties or suspension.

We keep a licensing calendar for each client company, listing every licence, its authority, its renewal date and the changes that trigger a notification. When the company changes its registered address, adds a product line or brings in a foreign shareholder, we check the licensing consequences before the change is made.

This is also where licensing meets the rest of the company's compliance: accounting, tax filings, work permits for foreign staff and corporate records. Keeping one consistent set of company facts across all of these is the most reliable way to avoid problems with any single authority. We do not guarantee any licence will be granted or renewed; each authority decides.