Most people planning a supplement brand start with one question: what does it cost? The better first question is how many months it takes before you are actually selling, and which money gets tied up along the way. This is written from the perspective of a business that runs contract manufacturing, imports raw materials and owns its own brand.
The short version
- A new formula takes 3–6 months. An existing ODM formula that already holds a registration can be done in 4–8 weeks.
- First-time brand owners should start with ODM, to test the market without sinking money into R&D and registration.
- The most important question is whose name the registration is issued in — it decides whether you can ever move factories.
- Raw materials are 40–60% of cost. Packaging is another 15–30%.
01 OEM versus ODM
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) — you bring your own formula or specification and the factory produces to it. Suited to brands that already have a clear formulation position.
- ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) — the factory has ready formulas to choose from and you put your brand on it. Faster and cheaper, but a competitor may use the same formula.
If you are starting out, start with ODM. Lower cost, faster to market, and you test real demand before paying for a bespoke formula, its research and its own registration.
The work that decides success happens before anything reaches the production line — setting the specification, pricing per unit, and working out how many months it takes to sell through.
02 The eight real steps
| Step | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Define the brief and the audience — you need to know who you sell to, on which channel, at what price, because the selling price sets the cost you can carry | — |
| 2 | Discuss the formula with the factory — actives, dosages, format, budget per unit and the selling point | — |
| 3 | Formula proposal and costing — the factory returns a costing with the MOQ | 3–7 days |
| 4 | Samples — existing formulas are quick, a new formula in development takes longer | 1–8 weeks |
| 5 | Label and packaging design — must comply with food labelling regulations | 2–4 weeks |
| 6 | Food registration number — depends on document completeness and formula type | 30–60 working days |
| 7 | First production run — once raw materials and packaging are all in | 2–6 weeks |
| 8 | Testing and delivery — request lab results for every lot and keep them on file | 1–2 weeks |
End to end, a new formula usually takes 3–6 months from first conversation to stock in the warehouse. An ODM formula that already holds a registration can finish in 4–8 weeks.
03 What MOQs really look like
Advertised numbers like “from 500 units” usually mean an off-the-shelf formula the factory already holds, with only the box changing. For a new formula, prepare for these.
| Format | Typical MOQ | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capsules | 3,000–10,000 capsules | Lowest cost per unit |
| Powder in sachets | 3,000–20,000 sachets | High setup cost on the filling line |
| Powder in jars | 500–3,000 jars | Easiest entry point for a new brand |
| Tablets | 10,000+ tablets | High tooling and setup cost |
| Softgels | 5,000+ capsules | Needs a dedicated line |
Real numbers vary by formula, production line and packaging, so talk to the factory directly rather than building a plan on advertised figures.
04 Where the cost actually sits
- Raw materials — usually 40–60% of cost. Imported extracts with high active content push this up fast.
- Packaging — 15–30%. For a new brand, a beautiful box can cost more than what is inside it.
- Labour and machine time — falls as volume rises, which is where MOQ comes from.
- Registration and analysis — a one-off cost per formula.
- Formula development (R&D) — a bespoke formula carries a development cost. ODM formulas usually do not.
05 Four questions to ask before you sign
- Which standards does the factory hold? GMP is the legal minimum. HACCP, ISO 22000 or Halal on top of it open export markets.
- Whose name is the registration issued in? The most important question. If it is in the factory's name, you cannot move factories. If it is in your company's name you can, but the responsibility is yours.
- Ask to see real COAs and lab results from past lots — not only the supplier's paperwork.
- Who owns the formula? ODM formulas usually belong to the factory and can be sold to other brands. If you want exclusivity, agree it up front.
06 If you are planning to export
Every export market has its own conditions. What almost all of them require: a Certificate of Free Sale, a Health Certificate, a COA and a GMP certificate. Muslim-majority markets add Halal. China and the United States are considerably stricter than Thailand on ingredients and claims — plan for that at the label design stage, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a registered company before I start?
- Not to discuss a formula. You do need a legal entity before a registration can be issued in your own name, and you should register the trademark alongside it.
Is contract manufacturing worth it for a small brand?
- Yes, if you sell through within 6–12 months. Work it out from your actual sales, not your expectations. Stock that does not move is money dead on a shelf.
Can you produce below MOQ?
- Some factories will, with an added setup charge. The better option is usually an existing ODM formula with a lower MOQ — cheaper than ordering at MOQ and failing to sell it.
Working with WISAMIN
MAX GLOBAL MARKETING CO., LTD., owner of the WISAMIN trademark, covers the full chain — importing raw materials, OEM and ODM manufacturing, distributing its own brand, and exporting finished goods.
- Talk to us about manufacturing or raw materials — we will discuss the formula, price it and estimate the MOQ before you commit.
- See the full product range — the formats and formulations we actually produce.
Timelines and MOQs are approximate, based on real experience, and vary by formula, season and raw-material conditions. Dietary supplements are not medicines and do not treat, relieve or prevent any disease.
