Korean products rank first among Thai cosmetics imports (skin care and related products · HS 3304.99)
1st-Mile Accelerator (1MA)
Apply for the first K-beauty cohort: build Thai sales evidence and work toward distributor agreements.
1st-Mile Accelerator (1MA) is a six-month incubation program that helps independent and small to mid-sized K-beauty brands enter Thailand. Once selected brands provide their products, 1MA handles local marketing and sales without charging an upfront operating fee and works toward agreements with online and offline distributors.
No participation or operating fee
Brands provide 100 units per SKU at no charge. 1MA covers local marketing, sales and logistics operating costs. See costs →
Cohort sizeAbout 12 brands
Application SKUs1–3
PeriodJan–Jun 2027
First-cohort applications close14 Nov 2026
K-BEAUTY × THAILAND · 2027 FIRST COHORT
WHY THAILAND
A growing opportunity for K-beauty in Thailand
Korean cosmetics account for a substantial share of Thailand’s imports in the cited category. Building on this demand, 1MA works with independent and small to mid-sized brands as they start local sales and seek distribution partners.
Import market share of Korean products
Year-on-year growth in the import value of Korean products
Full year 2024 · HS 3304.99 · KOTRA / Global Trade Atlas
Source: KOTRA, “Thailand Color Cosmetics Market Trends” (30 Apr 2025) ↗ENTRY BARRIERS
Two steps to prepare before selling in Thailand
THE PROGRAM
Grow your brand in Thailand and work toward local distribution agreements.
1MA handles Thai FDA cosmetic notification, export and customs procedures, and local marketing, sales and delivery. For products that meet Korea–ASEAN FTA requirements, it also handles certificate-of-origin procedures so the 0% tariff can apply.
Regulatory and export preparation
Review product names, ingredients, manufacturing documents and Thai labels; prepare cosmetic notification, certificate of origin (C/O), shipping and customs steps.
Thai marketing and sales operations
After customs clearance, 1MA lists the products on Thai online sales channels. It runs initial advertising and influencer promotions, and handles product storage, order processing, packing and delivery.
Sales analysis and distributor connections
1MA regularly reviews sales by channel and inventory levels and shares them with each brand. Based on sales results, it identifies Thai online and offline distributors and master distributors and supports trade discussions.
FTA tariff benefits apply to products that meet product-classification, origin and certificate requirements. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Apply for the program →COSTS
Who covers what?
There is no participation or operating fee payable to 1MA. Brands provide products free of charge; a success fee applies separately under the contract terms.
Brand contribution
Provide 100 free units per SKU (up to 3 SKUs), prepare C/O evidence. Brands cover travel expenses for on-site attendance, including flights and accommodation.
Costs borne by 1MA
Cover execution costs for cosmetic notification, shared freight and customs, Thai labels, initial marketing, local storage, delivery, channel operations and Demo Day.
Discussed after outcomes
A success fee applies after actual outcomes such as local contracts or orders. It also applies if, within 12 months after the program ends, a brand contracts directly with a party introduced by 1MA. The rate is agreed individually before contracting.
THE PATH
From Thailand entry preparation to local sales and distributor talks
- 01Oct 2026
Expressions of interest · first meeting
- 02Nov 2026
Applications close 14 Nov · materials due 28 Nov · eligibility review
- 03Dec 2026
Selection and contract, notification filing
- 04Jan 2027
Notification and C/O checks, shipping preparation
- 05Feb 2027
Planned sales start after shipping and customs
- 06Mar–May 2027
Sales data collection and review
- 07Jun 2027
Demo Day · buyer discussions / delivery of the six-month results report
Learn about Demo Day →
DEMO DAY
Present the sales results built in Thailand to buyers.
Drawing on local marketing and sales results from the six-month program, 1MA is preparing a Demo Day to introduce participating brands at a group pavilion at Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN Bangkok. The plan is to present products and sales results to local buyers and pursue trade discussions with distributors and master distributors.
- Event
- Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN Bangkok
- Dates
- 23–25 June 2027
- Venue
- Queen Sirikit National Convention Center · QSNCC, Bangkok
- About the fair
- A B2B trade fair where beauty brands meet importers, distributors and retail buyers.
Brand and product introductions
Introduce each brand’s distinctive qualities and key products to buyers.
Local sales results
Use Thailand sales figures and channel results in buyer discussions.
Distributor discussions
Discuss product supply and distribution terms, then continue follow-up talks after the fair.
THE PEOPLE
TahitiBeauty and DesignM run the program together.
TahitiBeauty · Korea HQ
- Source and select participating brands, then contract with them
- Prepare export documents, certificates of origin (C/O) and Thai labels
- Share sales results and coordinate work between Korea and Thailand
DesignM · Thailand
DesignM leads local execution based on its direct experience operating online channels, storing and shipping products, and handling cosmetic notification and customs.
- Operate Thai online channels and local marketing and sales
- Manage product storage, inventory and logistics
- Handle cosmetic notification, import customs and local buyer discussions
Trading Design Co., Ltd. is the legal entity for acts performed in Thailand.
WHO CAN APPLY
Check your eligibility
Please review all required conditions. Selection follows a separate review.
About 12 brands · final cohort size may vary after review
Required for brands
- Apply with one SKU; up to three are possible (provide 100 units for each SKU)
- Manufacturing setup that can obtain a certificate of origin (C/O)
- Products that meet Thai prohibited and restricted ingredient requirements
- No claims that risk classification as a medicine
- Agreement to provide 100 free units per SKU and discuss a success-fee agreement
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to prepare to apply?
Just your brand and contact details (about 5 minutes). We explain the review materials, such as the full ingredient list and manufacturer information, at the first meeting and request them afterwards.
Is there truly no upfront fee?
There is no upfront participation or operating fee paid to 1MA. Brands provide 100 units per SKU at no charge and cover travel for on-site attendance. 1MA covers operating and Demo Day costs. A success fee is discussed separately for actual outcomes.
What does the FDA step mean?
The program reviews the Thai cosmetic notification requirements. Notification does not certify a product’s claimed effects.
Is a 0% FTA tariff automatic?
No. Origin, product classification and documentary requirements must be met. Import VAT is separate.
When do sales begin?
January is for entry preparation. Sales are planned to begin in February after customs and local receiving. Regulatory and logistics progress may change the schedule.
When does the success fee apply?
The success fee applies to contracts in Thailand for 36 months. It also applies if, within 12 months after the program ends, a brand contracts directly with a party introduced by 1MA. The rate is agreed individually before the contract is signed.
What if I am not selected?
The team will communicate review results and any possible next steps. Selection in a later cohort is not guaranteed.
What happens after six months?
Further collaboration may be discussed after a final review. Graduation or a distribution contract is not guaranteed.
APPLY
Apply for the first cohort
How to apply
First-cohort applications close 14 Nov 2026
We are currently accepting expressions of interest by email.
Minimum information
All we need is your brand name and contact details. It is fine if you have not yet chosen which products to enter.
Do not send sensitive product or personal documents until requested. Privacy information →
What happens next
Within two business days of your application, we will contact you to schedule a first meeting (online, 30–45 minutes). At the meeting we explain the program and its terms, choose the products to enter with you, and then request the materials we need. After reviewing them we share your eligibility result, and selection and contracts follow once the cohort is formed.
Thailand entry guide · in preparation
The guide is in preparation. Email us if you need information now.
[email protected] ↗1MA / TH27-H1Program inquiries[email protected]
CONTACT
Contact us
For questions about participation or preparation, please use the email or phone number below.
LEGAL NOTICE
Legal notice
- This is an execution-focused market-entry program that does not make equity investments.
- Detailed terms, rates and schedules are finalized when the contract is signed.
- HS classifications are for reference. Final classification and origin determinations are subject to customs authorities.
- Tariffs, platform policies and regulatory requirements may change. This material was prepared as of October 2026.
PRIVACY
Privacy information
This website does not store visitor information and does not use analytics tools.
If you email us to express interest or ask a question, we use your address, name, contact details and message to review your interest and reply. We keep them while the business relationship continues and delete them on your request, when the contact becomes invalid, when the brand closes, or when the 1MA program ends.
International transfer: Google (Google Workspace) — our plan does not fix a storage country, so data may be stored in Google data centers in the United States or elsewhere.
You may decline to provide this information, but we may then be unable to review your interest. We do not ask for marketing consent.
Access, correction or deletion: [email protected] · Controller: TahitiBeauty