Wholesale Vitamins & Supplements Suppliers

Regulation comes first

In most markets, supplements are regulated as food, not medicine, but ingredient lists, permitted doses and the claims you may make are controlled. A product legal in one country can be restricted in another, for example because of a particular botanical or a dose level. Confirm licensing, registration or notification requirements for your market before importing, and confirm that the label language and format suit your market. Do not make disease or treatment claims.

Quality documents

Ask for a certificate of analysis for each batch, showing identity and content of key ingredients and tests for contaminants such as heavy metals and microbes. Ask whether the product is made in a facility that follows good manufacturing practice, and whether third-party testing is used. Ask for the full ingredient list, including excipients, and allergen statements. Organic, vegan or non-GMO claims need certificates from a recognized certifier.

Shelf life and storage

Supplements have a best-before date, and some ingredients such as probiotics, fish oil and some vitamins degrade with heat and light. Ask for the remaining shelf life at delivery, and for storage conditions in transit. Short-dated stock may be offered cheaply, but you may not be able to sell it in time, and some markets limit the sale of expired goods. Check that the date is printed on every unit, not just on the carton.

Forms and pack sizes

Capsules, tablets, softgels, gummies, powders and liquids all behave differently. Gummies are popular but sensitive to heat, and softgels can stick together in warm transport. Bottles are usually packed in cartons of a fixed unit count, and count per bottle, serving size and servings per container affect how you compare prices. Compare price per serving, not price per bottle.

Private label

Many suppliers offer private label with your own branding. Ask about minimum order per formula, label approval, lead time and who holds responsibility for compliance. The legal responsible party on the label usually has obligations, so check this carefully.

Counterfeit and grey-market risk

Branded supplements are diverted and copied. Ask for authorized-distributor evidence, and be cautious when branded stock is offered at unusual discount, comes with removed lot codes, or has labels for another market.

Seasonality and margins

Demand lifts in autumn and winter for immunity products and at the start of the year for wellness goals. Margins are typically attractive on private label and thin on well-known brands that are sold everywhere. Expired stock is a direct loss.

Questions to ask a supplier

• Which certificates of analysis can you supply for each batch?
• What is the shelf life on delivery?
• Is the product registered or permitted in my market?
• What storage conditions are used?
• Who is the responsible party on the label for private label?
• Can you show where branded stock was sourced?