Supplement Restrictions and Regulations on iHerb

Supplements are among the most popular products sold on iHerb. The platform offers thousands of vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, and nutritional compounds.

However, not all supplements can be shipped worldwide. International regulations governing dietary supplements vary significantly between countries.

These regulations determine which ingredients, dosages, and product categories can legally be imported.

Why Supplements Are Regulated

Dietary supplements are regulated to ensure consumer safety and prevent the distribution of potentially harmful substances.

Health authorities evaluate supplements based on several factors:

• ingredient safety
• dosage levels
• manufacturing standards
• labeling requirements

Because different countries use different regulatory frameworks, supplement availability can vary internationally.

Commonly Regulated Ingredients

Certain supplement ingredients are more likely to be restricted than others.

Examples include:

• herbal extracts used in traditional medicine
• high-dose vitamins
• certain amino acids
• specialized performance supplements

Restrictions may apply even when the ingredient itself is legal in other countries.

Dosage Limits

Some countries allow supplements containing specific ingredients but restrict the maximum dosage per serving.

For example, certain vitamins may be allowed only below specific thresholds.

When supplements exceed these limits, they may be restricted from import.

Regulatory Authorities

Supplement regulations are typically enforced by national health agencies.

Examples include:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
• Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

These organizations evaluate supplement safety and establish regulatory guidelines.

Manufacturing and Quality Standards

Manufacturing standards also influence whether supplements can be imported.

Retailers must ensure that products meet quality control and labeling standards established by regulatory agencies.

Manufacturing overview:
/iherb-manufacturing/

Summary

Supplement restrictions exist because countries regulate dietary ingredients and dosage levels differently. These regulations help protect consumer health and ensure imported products meet national safety standards.