How to ship vitamins overseas: All you need to know

The global wellness industry is thriving — and Singapore sits right at its core. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy reached US$6.3 trillion in 2023 and is projected to approach US$9 trillion by 2028.¹ With its strong regulatory standards and reputation for quality, Singapore has become a trusted source for vitamins, probiotics, and nutraceuticals sought after by health-conscious consumers around the world.

For local SMEs, e-commerce retailers, and wellness entrepreneurs, this international demand opens the door to immense growth. But unlike standard consumer goods, sending health products across borders demands extra care. Ingredient restrictions, documentation requirements, and packaging standards can quickly complicate the process — unless you know how to navigate them.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about shipping vitamins, dietary supplements, probiotics, and other health products overseas safely and compliantly — with insights on how DHL Express can make the process simpler, faster, and more reliable.

Knowing your product: why shipping health products is challenging

Before shipping, you’ll need to determine what kind of product you’re sending — because how it’s classified affects everything from documentation to customs clearance.

Is it a ‘health supplement’ or a ‘medicine’?

This distinction is critical. According to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore:

• Health supplements are products meant to support or maintain healthy body functions. They might contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or botanical extracts.
• Medicinal products, on the other hand, are intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. These fall under a stricter regulatory regime and may require licenses or special export permits.

If your product makes a medical claim — for instance, “reduces blood pressure” or “treats anxiety” — it could be classified as a medicine, even if it looks like a supplement. Misclassification can lead to shipment delays or confiscation.

When in doubt, check HSA’s official guidelines and leverage tools like DHL Express’s MyGTS portal for export classification and compliance information.

Prohibited and restricted ingredients

Different countries maintain their own lists of prohibited or restricted substances. Some vitamins in high doses (such as vitamin D or A), herbal extracts, or botanical ingredients may be allowed in Singapore but banned elsewhere.

For example:

• Certain European Union (EU) countries limit daily dosages for supplements.
• Australia regulates some supplements as therapeutic goods, requiring TGA approval for products containing active ingredients such as melatonin or herbal extracts.
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) treats some supplements as drugs, depending on claims and ingredients.

Always verify the destination country’s ingredient regulations before confirming an order.

Navigating international restrictions

When shipping health products, both Singapore’s export rules and the destination country’s import requirements come into play. Understanding both sides is essential to avoid clearance issues.

HSA guidelines

In Singapore, the HSA adopts a ‘self-responsibility’ approach, where importers, manufacturers, and sellers are responsible for ensuring that health supplements sold locally are safe, accurately labeled, and compliant with HSA guidelines.

HSA does not regulate or pre-approve products for export. Therefore, businesses shipping supplements overseas are responsible for verifying that their products meet the destination country’s import requirements.

Destination country rules

This is where most exporters face hurdles. Regulations vary widely from country to country — sometimes even between states within the same country.

For example:

• In Australia, supplements may fall under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
• In the EU, each member country maintains separate lists of approved ingredients.
• In the United States, supplement imports must comply with FDA labeling and ingredient rules.

These variations affect everything from ingredient limits and labeling requirements to packaging formats and claims.

Commercial vs. personal use

The purpose of your shipment also matters.

• Personal-use shipments — typically a 90-day supply or less — usually face fewer restrictions.
• Commercial shipments (bulk orders or regular exports) are subject to stricter import controls and may require product registration or import licenses.

Packaging and labeling requirements

Proper packaging isn’t just about presentation — it’s key to maintaining product integrity and passing customs inspections.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Products should be shipped in their original packaging with clear, legible labels. Packaging and labeling requirements differ by market, so exporters should check the importing country’s rules to avoid customs delays or rejection.
• Include nutritional information, ingredient lists, expiry dates, and manufacturer details.
• For temperature-sensitive healthcare products such as probiotics, use insulated packaging or cold packs to maintain efficacy.

DHL Express offers temperature-controlled shipping solutions, including time-definite delivery and specialized packaging options for fragile or sensitive health products. This ensures that your shipment remains protected, compliant, and in optimal condition upon arrival.

Best practices for shipping health products

To ship health products successfully, preparation is everything. Follow these best practices to reduce delays and ensure customer satisfaction:

• Research import regulations for each destination before confirming sales.
• Declare items accurately on your commercial invoice, including product descriptions and intended use.
• Never under-declare or mislabel goods — customs authorities treat this as a serious offense.
• Insure high-value shipments to protect against loss or damage.
• Plan for longer transit times when shipping to countries with stringent customs inspections.
• Keep documentation ready, including product specification sheets and certificates of analysis if required.
• DHL Express’s advanced digital tools, such as the MyDHL+ platform, make it easy to create compliant shipping labels, generate customs invoices, and track shipments from pickup to delivery — all in one place.

Ship health products with confidence

The demand for supplements, probiotics, and other wellness products shows no signs of slowing down. But with that opportunity comes responsibility — to export safely, transparently, and in line with each market’s regulations while navigating logistical and compliance challenges.

By following these guidelines and partnering with DHL Express, businesses can ensure that every shipment arrives efficiently and compliantly, minimizing the risk of customs delays or other logistical problems. With its global reach, expertise in healthcare logistics, and support for temperature-sensitive and regulated goods, DHL Express empowers Singaporean importers and exporters to tap into the world’s growing wellness market with confidence.