Can You Ship Vitamins Internationally? | Guide to Global Vitamin Shipping
If you want to expand your e-commerce business abroad, you need to know the answer to this question: Can you ship supplements internationally? While expanding into foreign territories may open up lucrative opportunities for your vitamins and supplements business, you must follow strict regulations.
International shipping also includes facing different customs standards and the risk of shipment delays and fines. If you learn to navigate these issues, you will increase your profitability, protect your reputation, and enjoy favorable customer responses.
This guide explains everything you need to know about international shipping for vitamins and supplements.
Can You Ship Supplements Internationally? – Steps You Must
As the international market for health supplements and vitamins grows, an SME like yours needs to be part of it. Your entry into this market will be profitable in many ways if you follow every regulatory step.
Access to a larger target audience can increase your sales and revenues, and help your brand compete effectively. Countries have specific rules and regulations for the importation of vitamins and supplements.
It is the first challenge that most novice ventures face. Even if the regulatory frameworks in most countries differ, there are general steps you should follow when shipping your supplements. So, can you ship supplements internationally? Here are the general shipping steps to follow:
- Identify the countries you would like to ship your items to. After that, take the time to research each country’s specific rules and requirements for shipping nutritional supplements and vitamins. Choose the country or countries with the most favorable shipping laws.
- Prepare legal documentation for customs’ perusal later on.
- Check that your vitamins and supplements contain acceptable ingredients to prevent product seizures or delays at customs.
- Label your products according to the shipping carrier and country requirements and rules. Display each product’s composition on the label, including ingredients, health benefits, and nutritional value.
- Research more about taxation, shipping rates, and how they relate to packaging materials and styles, and legal issues that may arise due to non-compliance with international shipping rules.
Vitamin and Supplement Shipping Rules in Popular Countries
Can you ship supplements internationally to developed countries such as the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, or China? The answer is yes, but you must understand shipping rules for each territory. Here is what you need to know if you plan to ship your products to these major destinations:
- United States – The first thing to do before you ship a vitamin or supplement to the U.S. is to file a notice with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA must confirm receiving your prior notice electronically before the goods arrive at a U.S. port. The required regulatory data you must provide before shipping supplements includes the CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice). You also need to label your goods appropriately and present an English ingredient list. The FDA requires your health claims, safety information, and any warning letters to permit importation.
- Canada – When it comes to the production and shipping of vitamins and supplements, Canada is a popular competitor. If you often ask yourself this question: Can you ship supplements internationally to Canada, you should know that this is possible. To ship your products across the Canadian border, follow the Canadian health regulations well. Ensure your goods meet the FDA requirements. Label your product correctly, do proper licensing, and adhere to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). Check the Canadian prescription drugs list to ensure your vitamins and supplements do not contain any of the mentioned ingredients.
- EU Region – Perhaps you want to ship your dietary supplements to the UK or another member of the European Union. If so, you must know the health regulations to follow. According to the EU, any food supplement must meet the standards of the EFSA (European Food and Safety Authority). The EFSA considers a product as a supplement if it improves the average diet and features a safe dose. Note that the way the FDA and EFSA define a dose for a given vitamin or supplement product can vary. What the EFSA considers a drug can be a supplement by FDA standards. To understand the term “dose” based on the EFSA definition, read its “Positive List.” This list not only recommends the correct doses but also emphasizes labeling your food supplements. If you want to ship to any EU country, make sure you have warning labels and health statements. Additionally, check country-specific requirements to ensure nothing deters your shipping process.
- Australia – Can you ship supplements internationally to Australia? The answer is the same: you can ship to Australia if you meet the preset regulatory framework. Australia views supplements as therapeutic goods. Any company looking to ship supplements to Australia must satisfy its strict safety and quality regulation standards. Regulation for therapeutic goods for international shipping entails a thorough assessment before and after entering the market. Australia is keen on standards enforcement, confirming that foreign producers comply, and checking manufacturing licenses. To qualify as a shipper, you require your TGA approval, inspection of your overseas manufacturing plant, and GMP clearance. Furthermore, you must add your products to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods before shipping them.
- China – Can you ship supplements internationally in China? The general requirements for shipping products to China are many. The most essential requirement is to register your items with the NMPA (National Medical Products Administration). China requires you to translate your labeling language into Chinese to help the locals understand your product. Additionally, you need to present ingredient information, proof of safety, technical files, and other relevant clearance documents. It charges an importation tax ranging from 10 to 25 percent.
Can you ship vitamins internationally to other countries? You can ship abroad to Mexico, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Africa, and any other country. You only need to understand the shipping guidelines for supplements in each country you are targeting.
Dealing with Customs Authorities
Can you ship supplements internationally, and how do customs authorities work? One of the things that cause shipment delays is non-compliance with customs authorities in destination countries.
These are the bodies that inspect imports and exports. They confirm that these products are safe for human consumption and meet all shipping regulations. Customs officials of the destination country will inspect and confirm that your legal documents are legitimate.
They will also assess your vitamin cargo to ensure it meets the intended health and safety guidelines. One thing these officials will assess thoroughly is product labeling. It enables them to classify your supplements correctly. If your items contain restricted ingredients, they will not meet the customs standards.
It may trigger fines or shipping delays. Lastly, the customs officials will collect preset fees, taxes, and import duties. To clear quickly with customs officials, prepare your paperwork early.
It will help you avoid missing the paperwork during inspection time at the port. Paperwork that the customs will require from you includes:
- Certificate of Origin – This document shows the origin of merchandise.
- Commercial Invoice – This special invoice is for international transactions. It displays crucial data about a product, including its name, unit price, description, currency, and quantity.
- Customs Declaration – The customs declaration is a list defining the exported or imported goods.
- Certificate of Analysis – This is a summary of every test that you performed before dispatching your goods to the intended destination. The certificate of analysis is proof of quality standards, purity, and safety.
- Product Registration Certificate – Depending on the country you wish to send your vitamins to, you may need to produce a product registration certificate at customs. It serves as proof that the country of origin is aware of the product’s manufacturing and safety standards.
The Importance of Correct Supplement Packaging
Can you ship supplements internationally and how serious is packaging? Dietary supplements are sensitive goods to ship abroad. Most countries impose strict quality standards and shipping regulations to safeguard their citizens. They also want shippers to package their products according to their kinds.
For instance, they require refrigeration of perishable vitamins to retain their quality when they reach the destination port. To avoid breaching international shipping regulations concerning product packaging, follow instructions well.
Poor packaging can trigger spoilage and losses you would not want to cope with. If customs officials discover you have violated packaging requirements leading to damage, they can destroy your supplements. Thus, label the packaging material correctly, displaying all the crucial information.
Include temperature requirements, ingredients, warnings, health claims, expiration date, manufacturer’s name, usage instructions, etc. Share any data that can help the official assess quality assurance.
If you provide a detailed label, you can file an appeal to dispute a seizure by the customs officials. Correct packaging can prevent shipping delays, losses, and litigations that might befall you at the customs department.
Benefits of Choosing the Best Shipping Partner
Can you ship supplements internationally alone? Although you can navigate the process, a reliable shipping partner can help. Issues with the customs authorities arise because importers lack the correct information.
So, choose a shipping partner with adequate experience in supplements and vitamins. They must have sufficient knowledge of international shipping regulations and customs processes. A shipping partner should assist you in packaging your products correctly to prevent shipment delays, avoid spoilage of perishable goods, and lower your shipping rates.
A reliable partner should guide you when choosing the ideal delivery time. They need to give you a dependable tracking service to ensure peace of mind when your supplements are in transit. Your shipping partner must help you insure goods in transit in case something happens.
You can transport your supplements by air or sea freight. Air freight guarantees faster deliveries, which facilitates urgent shipments. However, air freight is costly. On the other hand, sea freight is less pricey, especially when shipping in bulk.
The downside is that the process is usually longer. When selecting a suitable shipping method, your shipping partner can help you compare rates and assess other factors.
Final Word
Can you ship supplements internationally? You can ship your vitamins to any country. Follow the specifications of every country you want to ship your goods to and find a shipping partner to guide you. Once you do every shipping step correctly, your goods will reach your customers on time, and they will trust you more.