Import rice from Thailand: a practical guide for European buyers

GradesHom Mali · 5% · 25%

Packing5 · 20 · 25 kg

Transit30–40 days

IncotermsFOB · CIF

Thailand remains one of the world's leading rice exporters, known for its fragrant jasmine rice (Hom Mali) and competitively priced white and broken rice. For European wholesalers and food-service buyers, Thai rice can offer solid margins — provided sourcing, quality control and customs are handled properly.

Which grade for which market

The first decision is not the supplier — it is the specification. Choosing the wrong grade is the most common and most expensive mistake made by first-time rice importers.

Thai Hom Mali (jasmine) — premium aromatic rice, in high demand from Asian grocery stores, restaurants and ethnic retailers across Europe. Sold on crop year and purity percentage.
White rice 5% broken — the standard quality for general retail and food service.
White rice 25% broken — a cost-effective option widely used in food aid programmes and for export to West Africa.

Incoterms: who carries what

Most rice transactions are concluded FOB Bangkok or Laem Chabang, or CIF a European port such as Le Havre, Antwerp or Rotterdam. The choice determines who organises and pays for freight and insurance, and — more importantly — at what point the risk transfers to you. A buyer new to the trade is usually better served by CIF, where the seller handles the maritime leg.

📦 Container planning

A 20ft container carries approximately 24 to 25 tonnes of bagged rice. Rice is a dense cargo: you will reach the weight limit long before you fill the volume, which is why 40ft containers are rarely used for bagged rice alone.

EU import compliance

Rice falls under HS heading 1006, and the exact subheading determines the duty rate — paddy, husked, semi-milled and broken rice are not treated identically. Beyond tariffs, three compliance points deserve attention:

Phytosanitary documentation issued by the competent authority at origin
Pesticide residue limits (MRLs), which the EU applies strictly and which have caused consignments to be rejected at the border
Labelling under EU Regulation 1169/2011, in the language of the market of sale

Buying from stock instead of importing directly

Direct import means managing exporters, inspection, freight and customs across a 30 to 40 day maritime transit, with payment often committed well before the goods arrive. Many buyers prefer to purchase from a European importer's stock: French invoicing, immediate availability, pallet quantities rather than full containers, and no customs exposure. Martigane operates both ways — container loads direct from origin, or pallets from stock in Lille.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order?

From mixed pallets out of EU stock, up to full container loads direct from origin.

Which packaging formats are available?

Retail bags of 1 to 5 kg, food-service bags of 18 to 25 kg, and big bags on request.

Is private label possible?

Yes, on container volumes, with lead times extended to cover packaging production.

Talk to Martigane about this

Tell us the products, volumes and destination. Commercial reply within 24 to 48 hours.

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