Cannabis Seeds Import into Thailand — 2025 B2B Guide

Cannabis Seeds Import into Thailand | 2025 B2B Guide

Updated: September 20, 2025 - For professional buyers (Thailand‑first, global‑ready)

This updated 2025 guide explains how licensed entities can import cannabis or hemp seeds into Thailand in a compliant, predictable way. It brings together what the Thai Department of Agriculture (DOA) still requires under the Plant Quarantine framework, how the mid‑2025 policy shift on cannabis flower affects (and does not affect) seed imports, and the practical paperwork that shippers and Thai importers must prepare. Use it as a planning checklist and a conversation starter with your exporter’s NPPO (plant authority), freight forwarder, and compliance counsel.

Important scope note: this article focuses on seeds as plant‑health commodities. Retail access to cannabis flower in Thailand was tightened in 2025; that regime is separate from seed importation. Where English translations differ, the Thai originals control. Nothing here is legal advice; always verify with current DOA notices and your legal advisors.

Key Points (2025)

  • Seed import remains permitted under DOA Plant Quarantine rules when you hold a DOA import permit and present an original Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) that carries the required additional declarations.
  • Mid‑2025 changes re‑classified cannabis flower as a controlled herb for prescription‑only access; this did not replace DOA requirements for seeds.
  • Seeds must be non‑GMO, clean, and free of named quarantine pests. Expect inspection at the border and a possible lab hold while a representative sample is tested.
  • Use formal cargo (air/sea/land) with full paperwork. Postal/courier channels are high‑risk for compliant entries.

Regulatory Framework in 2025 (What actually governs seed imports)

Thailand treats seeds as regulated plant material under the Plant Quarantine Act. In practice, imports are permitted when the Thai importer holds a valid DOA permit and the shipment is accompanied by an NPPO‑issued PC with specific additional declarations. By contrast, the Ministry of Public Health’s 2025 rules limiting access to cannabis flower focus on domestic medical use and do not amend the DOA’s seed‑import conditions. Keep these two tracks separate in your planning: plant‑health import compliance for seeds versus public‑health access rules for flower.

What You Can Import (and under what conditions)

Commercial and research‑grade cannabis or hemp seeds can be imported for licensed uses, subject to DOA approval and the PC requirements described below. Seeds must be non‑GMO and shipped clean in new, uncontaminated packaging. The DOA may sample lots on arrival and hold goods until the official lab releases them. If you intend to sell seeds domestically, separate seed‑business licenses and labeling requirements may apply after import; consult local counsel.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Import Cannabis/Hemp Seeds (2025)

  1. Thai importer setup: Register the Thai entity in e‑Customs and apply to the DOA for an import permit (Form P.Q. 2; permit P.Q. 2‑1). Ensure the permit’s scope matches your purpose (commercial supply, trials, etc.).
  2. Exporter readiness: Coordinate with the exporter’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) well before shipment. The NPPO issues the Phytosanitary Certificate (or a re‑export PC) and must insert the DOA‑required additional declarations. Share the exact wording with them early.
  3. Seed lot & packaging: Confirm non‑GMO status and batch‑level traceability. Use clean, sealed packaging; exclude leaf, stems, soil, and weed seeds. Mark cartons with lot IDs to support DOA sampling and your own seed‑to‑sale records.
  4. Shipping: Book air, sea, or land cargo to a port with a DOA plant‑quarantine station. Provide the permit and PC details to your forwarder. Courier/postal channels are discouraged for regulated seed lots.
  5. Arrival & inspection: Present the import permit and the original PC. A quarantine officer inspects the consignment and may draw a representative sample for the DOA lab. Expect a hold until results are cleared; non‑compliant lots can be re‑exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.
  6. Release & record‑keeping: Upon clearance, retain a complete audit file: permit, PC, commercial invoice/packing list, airway bill/bill of lading, lot IDs, and any quality documentation (ISTA/COA). This supports downstream licensing and audits.

Phytosanitary Certificate - Required Additional Declarations (DOA)

The PC must explicitly state freedom from, or testing found free of, named pests. Coordinate the exact phrasing with the exporter’s NPPO. Typical organisms listed by the DOA include bacterial pathogens, a nematode, two viruses, and parasitic weeds that are regulated because they can accompany seed lots.

  • Pseudomonas syringae pv. cannabina - bacterial blight associated with cannabis/hemp.
  • Xanthomonas campestris pv. cannabis - bacterial pathogen impacting cannabis crops.
  • Ditylenchus dipsaci - stem and bulb nematode that can contaminate seed lots.
  • Arabis mosaic virus - seed‑transmissible plant virus of quarantine concern.
  • Alfalfa mosaic virus - seed‑associated virus of broad host range.
  • Orobanche ramosa - parasitic broomrape weed; strict seed contamination controls.
  • Cuscuta spp. - dodder (parasitic plants) whose seeds can contaminate shipments.
  • Striga spp. - witchweed; regulated as a serious parasitic weed.

Two acceptable approaches are common: (1) a declaration that the seeds originate from an area or country free of the listed organisms, or (2) a statement that the seeds were tested and found free of these organisms using an approved method. Choose the route your exporter’s NPPO can document reliably and on time.

Document Pack - What you must have vs. what helps

Must‑have (legal requirements):

  • DOA Import Permit - P.Q. 2 (permit P.Q. 2‑1).
  • Original Phytosanitary Certificate with the required additional declarations.
  • Commercial Invoice & Packing List with clear seed descriptions and lot IDs.
  • Transport document (AWB/BL) matching the importer and the permit.

Helpful (not legal substitutes, but smooth inspections):

  • ISTA Blue International Seed Sample Certificate (quality evidence).
  • COA(s) tied to the lot ID, especially when customers require potency/micro/purity data.
  • Supplier statements for non‑GMO and varietal purity.
  • Clear outer‑carton labels with lot IDs and seed count per pack.

Labeling & Packaging Tips (Traceability pays for itself)

Use tamper‑evident primary packaging and mark every pack with a lot/traceability ID that matches your papers. Include a QR or bar code if possible. Place a clean packing list inside the outer carton and a duplicate on the outside in a pouch. These small steps reduce inspection time and errors, and they make downstream recalls or audits far easier.

Indicative Timelines & Costs

Actual timeframes vary by port and workload, but typical planning windows are: import‑permit issuance (a few days to two weeks), PC issuance (3–10 business days depending on the exporting country), and entry inspection/hold (several days). Budget for permit fees, inspection/lab fees, and storage if your shipment arrives ahead of documentation clearance.

Common Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

  • PC missing the exact additional declarations - Share the DOA wording with the NPPO in advance and verify the draft PC before cargo moves.
  • Seeds not declared non‑GMO - Ensure supplier statements and invoices explicitly use the term non‑GMO; avoid ambiguous language.
  • Contamination in seed lots or cartons - Screen and clean seeds; keep cartons free of soil/leaf/stems; use new bags/liners.
  • Using postal/courier routes - Stick to formal cargo channels where plant‑quarantine processing is standard and documents are checked at a quarantine station.
  • Mismatched importer names on documents - Align the importer’s legal name across permit, PC, invoice, and transport documents to avoid holds.

Two Quick Checklists

Pre‑shipment (exporter side)

  • NPPO briefed on the exact additional declarations and non‑GMO requirement.
  • PC draft reviewed for wording; permit copy shared with forwarder.
  • Seeds cleaned, batch‑labeled (lot IDs), and packed in new materials.
  • Commercial invoice and packing list match lot IDs and counts.

At arrival (importer side)

  • Permit, original PC, invoice/packing list, and transport document ready.
  • Cartons labeled with lot IDs; easy access for inspection.
  • Plan for possible lab hold and storage; keep consignee reachable by phone.
  • Start your internal seed‑to‑sale records using the same lot IDs.

FAQs (2025)

Did the 2025 rules ban seed imports?

No. The 2025 ‘controlled herb’ status narrowed how flower can be accessed by patients inside Thailand. Seed imports continue under the DOA’s plant‑quarantine process.

Do we need a medical prescription to import seeds?

No. Prescriptions relate to patient access to flower, not seed importation. For seeds you need a DOA import permit and a PC with the correct declarations.

Are air, sea, and land entries allowed?

Yes. The DOA framework allows cargo entries by air, sea, or land at designated quarantine stations.

Are GMO seeds allowed?

No. The DOA notice requires non‑GMO seeds. Make sure supplier statements and invoices reflect this explicitly.

What about personal imports?

This guide covers licensed B2B imports. Personal shipments are risky and often non‑compliant. Work through licensed entities and cargo channels.

Do invoices need variety names?

It is good practice to include cultivar/line names and lot IDs on invoices and packing lists; keep descriptions consistent across documents.

How Irie Seeds Can Help (B2B only)

We can pre‑check paperwork against DOA requirements, coordinate with exporter NPPOs, and provide traceable lots (QR/IDs) with technical documentation (TDS/COA) after verification. For licensed movements, use our Import/Export request channel; for catalog and technical docs, use the Request Access form.

Import & Export Request    Request Access

Compliance Notice

This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm the latest DOA/MoPH notices in Thai and consult licensed counsel. Where translations exist, the Thai originals control.

Version 2025‑09‑20 • Irie Seeds