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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about private label supplement manufacturing at Nature's Supplements Inc. Can't find your answer? Contact us directly — we respond within one business day.

Jump to: Getting Started Capsules & Formulation Quality & Compliance Ordering & Shipping

Getting Started

New to private label supplement manufacturing? Start here.

What do I need to get started with NSI?

To start a quote, we need a few key pieces of information: your desired product formula (or a description of the product category), your target capsule type and size (or we can recommend one), the quantity you want to produce, and your packaging preferences. You do not need a finalized label design to get a production quote — that can come later. Simply contact us or call (760) 941-8803 and our team will walk you through the intake process.

Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Nature's Supplements Inc. is a small-batch specialist — this is one of the things that sets us apart from large contract manufacturers that require tens of thousands of units before they'll take your project. We work with emerging brands that need a few hundred bottles for a market test as well as established brands ordering tens of thousands of units per run. Contact our team with your specific formula and capsule type for the applicable minimum for your project.

What is the typical lead time for an order?

Most standard orders are fulfilled within approximately two weeks from the time raw materials are received and cleared by our QA team. This covers blending, encapsulation, QA testing, bottling, labeling, and palletizing. Lead time varies based on order size, formula complexity, and current production scheduling. If you have a hard launch deadline, tell us upfront — we will work backward from that date to plan production.

Can you help me develop a custom formula from scratch?

Yes. If you have a product concept but not a complete formula, our production team can assist. We'll review the ingredients you want to feature, discuss clinically relevant dosages, recommend appropriate excipients, and determine the right capsule size for your target serving weight. We can also advise on label claim feasibility based on your ingredient selection. Custom formula development is part of our full-service offering.

Do you offer consulting before we commit to a production run?

Yes. We strongly encourage a consultation call before placing an order, especially for new brands or new formulas. This allows us to review your formula, discuss any feasibility concerns (e.g., ingredient incompatibilities, fill weight calculations, regulatory labeling requirements), provide realistic cost and lead time estimates, and make sure we're the right partner for your project. There is no charge for an initial consultation.

Capsule Types & Formulation

Technical questions about capsule materials, sizes, fill weights, and formulation.

What types of capsules do you fill?

We fill two types of hard two-piece capsules:

  • Gelatin capsules — made from bovine (BSE-free certified) or porcine gelatin. The most widely used capsule type in the supplement industry. Excellent moisture barrier, smooth consumer experience, cost-effective.
  • HPMC vegetarian capsules — made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a plant-derived polymer. Suitable for vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher markets. Same size range as gelatin, slightly different handling requirements for moisture-sensitive actives.

We do not currently fill softgel (liquid-fill) capsules, tablets, or gummies in-house. For those formats, contact us and we can discuss options.

What capsule sizes do you offer?

We stock and fill sizes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in both gelatin and HPMC. Size 0 is the most common for general-purpose supplements, holding approximately 400–500 mg of a typical powder. Size 00 accommodates 500–700 mg and is used for multivitamins and joint formulas. Size 000, the largest, holds up to 1,000 mg and is typically used for high-dose fish oil or dense mineral formulas.

The right size depends entirely on your formula's bulk density and target serving weight. We calculate exact fill specifications during the formula review process at no additional charge.

Read our full hard capsule guide for a detailed size reference table.

How is fill weight determined for my formula?

Fill weight depends on two factors: (1) the bulk density of your powder blend and (2) the volume of the capsule size you've selected. Bulk density varies significantly between ingredients — a fine vitamin C powder behaves very differently than a coarse herbal extract. We perform a fill weight test using a sample of your actual blend to determine real-world fill weight before production begins. This ensures your Supplement Facts panel serving weight matches the actual capsule fill, which is a cGMP requirement.

What excipients do you use and why?

Excipients are inactive ingredients added to improve manufacturing performance or stability. Common excipients we use include:

  • Magnesium stearate — a lubricant that prevents powder from sticking to equipment and improves capsule fill consistency. Typically used at 0.5–1% of blend weight.
  • Silicon dioxide (silica) — a flow agent that improves the flowability of fine or cohesive powders.
  • Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) — a filler/binder that can be used to adjust fill weight without affecting potency.

All excipients are disclosed on the product label under "Other Ingredients." We only add excipients when they are functionally necessary, and we will discuss them with you before finalizing the formulation.

How do you handle hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing) ingredients?

Hygroscopic ingredients — such as certain amino acids, choline salts, magnesium chloride, and some herbal extracts — absorb moisture from the air, which can cause clumping, degraded potency, and capsule shell softening. We manage this through: encapsulation in lower-humidity environments, use of silica desiccant packets or canisters in the bottle, selection of appropriate packaging (desiccated HDPE bottles with moisture-barrier liners), and in some cases, use of gelatin capsules over HPMC (gelatin has a lower equilibrium moisture content). If your formula contains hygroscopic actives, we'll flag this during formula review and recommend appropriate controls.

Quality & Compliance

Questions about our certifications, testing protocols, and regulatory compliance.

Are you cGMP certified and FDA registered?

Yes. Nature's Supplements Inc. holds an NSF Certificate of Conformity — an independent third-party certification verifying that our quality management system and manufacturing practices meet NSF International's rigorous standards. Our facility is also FDA-registered and fully compliant with 21 CFR Part 111, the FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for dietary supplements. You can download our NSF certificate here.

What testing do you perform on raw materials and finished products?

We operate a dual-stage QA system:

  • Raw material intake: Identity testing (organoleptic and/or analytical), COA review and verification, quarantine until approved.
  • Pre-encapsulation: Blend homogeneity check, potency screen, heavy metals screening, microbiological limits.
  • Finished product: Fill weight uniformity (weight variation testing), dissolution profile, final potency confirmation, visual inspection.

Additional testing — such as pesticide residue screening or expanded microbiological panels — can be arranged for specific formulas or market requirements.

Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with each lot?

Yes. Every released production lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis documenting all testing performed, test results and acceptance criteria, raw material lot numbers used, encapsulation date, and QA manager authorization. The COA can be presented to retailers, distributors, or any party requiring proof of quality. We retain copies of all COAs as part of our Batch Production Records in compliance with 21 CFR Part 111.

How do you track lots in case of a recall?

Every batch receives a unique lot number at the start of production. This lot number is tied — through our Batch Production Records — to every raw material used (including supplier lot numbers and COAs), every test result from intake through finished product release, every piece of equipment used, and the production date and personnel involved. If a supplier ever issues a raw material recall, we can trace all affected finished lots within hours and identify exactly which customers received product containing that material. Complete traceability from farm to finished bottle is a core cGMP requirement.

Can I see your facility or quality documentation before placing an order?

Absolutely. We welcome prospective clients to visit our Oceanside facility for a tour. You can see our production floor, encapsulation equipment, and QA laboratory firsthand. For remote clients, we can provide our NSF certificate, facility registration documentation, and allergen statement. Comprehensive quality agreements and additional documentation (such as SOPs or audit reports) are available to established clients under confidentiality. Contact us to schedule a visit or request documentation.

Ordering & Shipping

How to place an order, what to expect, and how your product gets to you.

How do I place an order?

The process starts with a consultation. Submit our contact form, call us at (760) 941-8803, or email [email protected] with your project details. Once we've reviewed your formula and requirements, we'll provide a written quote. Upon acceptance, we issue a purchase agreement, begin raw material procurement, and schedule your production run. You'll receive status updates at each key milestone.

What are your payment terms?

Payment terms are discussed and agreed upon at the time of quoting and depend on your order history with us and the size of the order. For new clients, we typically require a deposit before raw material procurement begins, with the balance due before shipment. Established clients with a track record may qualify for net terms. All financial arrangements are confirmed in writing before production begins. Contact us directly to discuss the terms applicable to your project.

How do you ship finished products?

Finished products are palletized and shipped via LTL (less-than-truckload) or full truckload common carrier freight to your specified destination — whether that's your own warehouse, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, or a distribution center. We work with your preferred freight carrier or can arrange shipping through our carriers. For customers in Southern California, dock pickup at our Oceanside facility is available and eliminates freight costs entirely.

Can I pick up my order at your facility?

Yes. Our 20,000 sq/ft facility at 1342 Rocky Point Drive, Oceanside, CA has a dedicated freight dock for outbound shipments. Customers and freight carriers can schedule dock pickups during our business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm). Please coordinate pickup timing with our team at least 24 hours in advance so your order is staged and ready.

Do you ship internationally?

We manufacture and release products from our Oceanside, CA facility. International shipping arrangements are the responsibility of the client — you would coordinate your international freight forwarder to pick up from our dock or from a domestic freight hub. We can provide all necessary documentation for international shipment including COAs, ingredient lists, and manufacturer declarations. Import regulations for dietary supplements vary significantly by country — we recommend working with an experienced customs broker familiar with your destination market.

We're Here to Help

Our team is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Pacific. Reach us by phone, email, or the contact form — we respond within one business day.

Contact Us (760) 941-8803

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Get a free quote from Nature's Supplements Inc. — Southern California's trusted private label supplement manufacturer since 1999.