The number follows the claim, not the shelf
Two products that look identical can sit in different categories. A cream that says it moisturises is a cosmetic. The same cream that says it treats eczema is a medical claim, and the route changes completely. The wording on the label and on your marketplace listing is what decides the category, so settle the claims before anything is filed.
| Product type | Number or licence | Issued by | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 10-digit notification number | Thai FDA | 3 years, renewable |
| Food and supplements | 13-digit food serial number | Thai FDA | Tied to the import licence |
| Medical devices | Notification, listing or licence by risk class | Thai FDA | Set by class |
| Goods under a mandatory standard | TIS import licence | TISI | Until the standard changes |
One product can need two approvals
A heated beauty device is a good example. The cosmetic gel sold with it follows the Thai FDA route, while the device itself may fall under a mandatory industrial standard and need a TISI licence. The two applications run in parallel at different offices, so the slower one decides your launch date.
Three questions that usually settle it
- Does the product go into the body, or only on it? Anything swallowed follows the food or medicine route.
- Does any claim mention a disease, a symptom or a body function? That points to medical devices or medicines.
- Does the product plug into mains power, heat up, or carry a safety risk? Check the mandatory TIS list before importing.
Guessing the category costs more than checking it. A file submitted on the wrong route is not transferred; it is refused, and the government fees already paid are not refunded.