Buyers searching for vegetable capsules wholesale, vegan capsules in bulk, size 0 vegetable capsules or a clear HPMC capsule supplier are usually filling a plant-based supplement on their own encapsulator or through a co-packer. The questions that decide the order are practical: which size holds the dose, clear or coloured, what the shell specification says, how many capsules to buy, and whether the stock is already in the United States with the documents your QA file needs. This guide covers the vegetarian HPMC empty hard capsules Zenith Nutra Products holds in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York, and how to specify them on a quote.
In short: Zenith stocks vegetarian HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) empty hard capsules in the standard sizes listed on the product page, 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, in clear, coloured, opaque and printed formats. On the published programme, size 0 holds roughly 400–800 mg and size 00 roughly 570–1100 mg, depending on the density of your blend. HPMC shell moisture is typically 4–9% (gelatin is typically 13–16%), disintegration is ≤ 15 minutes and microbial limits meet USP <2021>/<2022>, with Kosher and Halal options. The minimum order is 1 pallet (count varies by size), and stocked lines typically ship within 3–7 business days from US stock. Every lot ships with a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis. Prices are quoted per order: request a quote with size, colour, quantity in pallets and ship-to ZIP.
What “vegetable capsule” means on a supplier quote
“Vegetable capsule”, “veggie capsule”, “vegetarian capsule” and “vegan capsule” are trade names for two-piece hard capsules made without animal gelatin. Most are made from HPMC, a cellulose derivative; some suppliers also sell pullulan shells under the same names. Zenith’s range is HPMC, alongside bovine and porcine gelatin shells for programmes where an animal-derived shell is acceptable.
Because the trade names overlap, put the shell material on every RFQ line rather than “veggie caps”. Two further points to confirm in writing:
- Gelling system. Some HPMC shells are made with a gelling agent (for example carrageenan or gellan gum) and some without. If your label, allergen file or customer specification needs that detail, ask for the shell composition statement for the exact grade.
- Claim certificates. Zenith lists Kosher and Halal options. If your label carries a vegan or vegetarian certification mark, ask for the certificate that covers the shell you will receive, not only a statement that HPMC is plant-derived.
If you are still deciding between gelatin and HPMC, start with the gelatin vs HPMC capsules guide for wholesale buyers. This guide assumes the decision is made and you are buying vegetable shells.
Size 0 or size 00 vegetable capsules?
Size is set by fill weight and the bulk density of your blend, not by habit. Size 00 is the most common supplement shell; size 0 is the next most common when the dose and density fit a smaller capsule, and buyers often prefer it when swallowability or bottle count matters.
| Size | Zenith-published fill range (density-dependent) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | Roughly 570–1100 mg | Default starting point for many supplement fills; bulky or higher-dose blends |
| 0 | Roughly 400–800 mg | Mid-dose vegetarian programmes; denser powders; a smaller capsule to swallow |
| 000, 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not published as Zenith numeric ranges | 000 for higher doses; 1–4 for lower fill weights |
Measure the tapped bulk density of the blend you will actually fill, shortlist the smallest shell that holds the dose with a packing margin, and confirm with a fill trial on your machine before you order printed shells, bottles or labels. Send the target dose and bulk density with your RFQ and Zenith will confirm the size before you commit. For volumes and fill estimates across every size, see the capsule size chart 000–4.
Size-range note: the empty capsules product page lists sizes 000 to 4. Zenith’s contract-manufacturing empty-capsule supply page currently lists sizes 00 to 4, so confirm size 000 on the quote if your programme needs it.
Clear, coloured, opaque or printed?
- Clear HPMC shows the fill, suits most plant-based supplements and is the fastest stock path.
- Coloured and opaque shells support brand differentiation, hide natural colour variation in botanical fills and give some light protection.
- Printed shells carry a logo or text. Printed and custom-coloured shells carry a higher minimum order and a longer lead time than stock clear shells, so raise colour and print at the start of the project.
Vegetable capsule specifications buyers ask for
All values below are copied from the Zenith empty capsules product record. Values are typical; the Certificate of Analysis issued for your lot governs.
| Specification | Zenith HPMC empty capsules |
|---|---|
| Shell material | Vegetarian HPMC (bovine and porcine gelatin also available) |
| Sizes (product page) | 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Formats | Clear, coloured, opaque, printed |
| Grade | Pharmaceutical / food grade |
| Shell moisture | HPMC typically 4–9% (gelatin typically 13–16%) |
| Disintegration | ≤ 15 minutes |
| Microbial limits | Meets USP <2021>/<2022> |
| Religious certification | Kosher and Halal options |
| Packaging | Cartons with food-grade PE liner, palletised and shrink wrapped; desiccant on request |
| Minimum order | 1 pallet (count varies by size) |
| Lead time | 3–7 business days from US stock |
| Ships from | Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York |
| Country of origin (as listed) | China, Thailand and India (other countries available on request); confirm the origin of your lot on the quote |
HPMC’s lower moisture is the main reason formulators move hygroscopic botanicals, some mineral salts and other moisture-sensitive fills into vegetable shells. Keep cartons sealed in their PE liner until use, store away from heat and humidity extremes, and ask for the recommended storage conditions on the specification sheet.
Buying by the box or by the pallet
Online capsule shops usually sell clear vegetable capsules by the box. In public US listings reviewed in November 2026, a box was commonly 100,000 capsules for size 0 and 75,000 for size 00. Those are other sellers’ pack counts, not Zenith figures.
Zenith sells empty capsules by the pallet, with a 1-pallet minimum. The capsule count per pallet varies by size and shell material, and Zenith does not publish a public per-size count table; the exact count for your size is confirmed on the quote so you can match the order to your batch plan. In practice:
- A pallet programme fits encapsulation plants, co-packers, contract manufacturers and brands running repeat production that want shells, actives and packaging from one East Coast stock point.
- A box-quantity web shop fits better if you need a single box for a pilot or a small batch.
Before a production order, request an evaluation sample: a quote request returns pricing, a current Certificate of Analysis and a sample within two business days.
Running HPMC on your encapsulator
HPMC shells run on standard two-piece encapsulators. Gelatin is often described as the faster, more familiar shell on many lines, so for a first HPMC programme or a high-speed changeover, run a trial lot on your own (or your co-packer’s) machine and change parts before you award the full order. Lock the shell size, material and colour into the master batch record so every campaign matches the first validated run.
Shells can ship loose to your filler or be scheduled straight into a Zenith contract manufacturing run, so shell and fill are released together against one batch record.
Documents to request with every lot
- Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis covering identity, moisture, disintegration and microbial limits.
- Full lot traceability back to the shell manufacturer, not only the reseller.
- Safety Data Sheet and technical/specification sheet.
- Allergen, GMO and gluten statements.
- Kosher and Halal certificates where those claims apply.
- Shell composition statement (including any gelling agent) and any vegan certification your label needs.
- Country of origin for the lot shipped.
MOQ, lead time, freight and terms
| Item | Zenith programme |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 1 pallet (count varies by size); printed and custom-coloured shells carry a higher minimum |
| Lead time | Stocked lines typically 3–7 business days from US stock; printed and custom-coloured shells take longer |
| Packing | Cartons with food-grade PE liner, palletised and shrink wrapped; desiccant on request |
| Freight | Domestic LTL for pallets; international air and sea with export documentation |
| Trade terms | FOB, CIF and DDP quoted |
| Payment | Opening orders prepaid by wire transfer or ACH; Net 30 for established accounts after a credit review |
| Claims | Raise quality claims within 30 days of delivery with the lot number; see shipping and terms |
| Prices | Quoted per order; no public list prices |
RFQ checklist for wholesale vegetable capsules
- Shell material: HPMC (state any gelling-agent requirement).
- Size, or the target dose (mg) and tapped bulk density (g/mL) so the size can be confirmed.
- Format: clear, coloured, opaque or printed (cap and body colours; artwork timing if printed).
- Quantity in pallets for the first order and expected reorders; ask for the capsule count per pallet for that size.
- Claims on your label: vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Halal, and which certificates QA needs.
- Path: shells loose to your filler, or into a Zenith contract manufacturing run.
- Whether you need an evaluation sample before the production order.
- Documents required for supplier qualification (see the list above).
- Bottles or jars needed with the shells (see the supplement bottle guide).
- Ship-to ZIP, delivery window and preferred trade terms (FOB, CIF or DDP).
Send the checklist through the quote form and we will reply with pricing, stock confirmation and the count per pallet for your size.
Related guides and products
- Gelatin vs HPMC capsules for wholesale buyers
- Capsule size chart 000–4: fill weight, volume and size 00 vs 0
- How to choose empty capsules for nutraceutical and pharma filling
- East Coast empty capsule stock from Ronkonkoma, NY
- Contract manufacturing RFQ checklist for US supplement brands
- Supplement bottles wholesale: PET packer bottles and HDPE jars
- Dietary supplement raw material supplier in New York: Long Island stock guide
- Products: empty capsules (gelatin and HPMC) · PET packer bottles · HDPE powder jars
- All empty capsule lines
Request a quote
Send the shell material, size (or dose and density), format, quantity in pallets, required documents and ship-to ZIP. Request a quote or contact our team.
