Previously, we talked about the business of fertilizer production in Thailand. Today, we got an inquiry on how to import fertilizers to be sold in Thailand.
The first step is to set up a limited company, either as a Thai majority owned or a 100% foreign owned provided that it has been granted a Foreign Business License to operate the business in Thailand.
Once set up, the company has to apply for a Fertilizer Import License. One import license allows the import of multiple types and formulas of fertilizer. Upon submitting the application, the officer will verify the documents and if everything is complete and accurate, the processing time is a few business days. A fertilizer import license is valid for one year so it has to be extended every year.
After obtaining the Fertilizer Import License, the company has to register each fertilizer product that has been imported to Thailand. Each formula of the fertilizer needs its own registration. Whether it should have a trademark or not, it depends on the following:
- If the imported fertilizer product is in a container or package not more than 200 liters for liquid or 500 liters for powder, the fertilizer product has to have a trademark.
- If the imported product is in a container or package bigger than 200 liters or 500 liters for powder, the product does not need to have a trademark
- If the imported fertilizer product is in a container or package bigger than 200 liters or 500 liters for powder, but it will be repacked into smaller packages to sell, then a fertilizer manufacturing license is needed, the process of which needs to have a trademark for each product.
The processing time for fertilizer product registration depends on many factors. If we do the application, we will need the company to give us the trademark certificate (or if the trademark is not registered yet, we do trademark registration too), a chemical analysis report issued by some Thai government agencies or a fertilizer manufacturing license (we can do the application for this license as well).
Setting up a business in Thailand can be quite challenging but if you choose the right law firm to help you throughout the whole process, everything can be done smoothly. Consult with Thai Lawyers now for expert advice and professional business services.