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Exporting cosmetics and beauty products from India

Cosmetics made in India for export are made under a manufacturing licence from the State Licensing Authority. Their labels follow the destination's law, but rule 34(10) of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 still requires the name, batch number, expiry, manufacturer and licence number. Free sale certificates for cosmetics come from CDSCO rather than DGFT.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Manufacturing licence
State Licensing Authority, Form COS-8
Export labels
Destination's law, plus the rule 34(10) particulars
Free sale certificate
CDSCO, for items under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act
RCMC
CHEMEXCIL lists cosmetics and toiletries
Customs declaration
Shipping bill, filed electronically

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the product made under a state cosmetics manufacturing licence? Read more
  2. 2Does the export label carry the particulars Indian rules still require? Read more
  3. 3Does the buyer want a free sale certificate, and who issues it? Read more
  4. 4Which council issues the exporter's RCMC? Read more
  5. 5Is the IEC current, and which documents travel with the shipment? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Manufacturing licence

Manufacture of cosmetics in India is licensed by the states, whether the goods are sold at home or abroad.

  • Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its rules, manufacture of cosmetics is regulated by inspection and licensing by State Licensing Authorities, while import is regulated by CDSCO registration.
  • A manufacturer applies to the State Licensing Authority in Form COS-5 (or COS-6 for a loan licence); the licence is granted in Form COS-8 (rules 23 and 25).
  • For a new cosmetic, the applicant first obtains permission from the Central Licensing Authority in Form COS-3; no state licence is granted without it.
  • Manufacture is conducted under the supervision of competent technical staff, including at least one whole-time employee with a prescribed qualification (rule 26).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the COS-8 licence with the products it covers, and shows when it is due for renewal. Ask about this

Labelling cosmetics for export

Export labels follow the destination, with a short list of particulars that Indian rules keep.

  • Where a cosmetic is meant for export, its labels meet the specific requirements of the law of the destination country (rule 34(10)).
  • The inner-most pack and each outer covering still show, conspicuously: the name of the cosmetic; the batch, lot or serial number; the use-before or expiry date, if any; the manufacturer's name and the address of the actual premises; and the licence number.
  • Internationally recognised symbols may be used in place of text where required.
  • Where the consignee requires the manufacturer's name and address to be left off, the label bears a code number authorised by the State Licensing Authority.

How we help: Compliant Always reads the export label against the rule 34(10) particulars and the destination's own requirements, and shows what is missing. Ask about this

Free sale certificates

Who certifies that a cosmetic is freely sold in India.

  • For items under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, applications for a Free Sale and Commerce Certificate are made to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) (HBP para 2.34(a)(ii)).
  • DGFT's regional authorities issue Free Sale and Commerce Certificates for other items not restricted or prohibited for export, valid for two years.
  • DGFT describes a free sale certificate as confirming that a product is freely sold, without any indication that it has been evaluated for safety and efficacy.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the free sale certificate with the products it lists, and shows when it runs out. Ask about this

RCMC and export-only imports

Registration with the export council, and a registration exemption for bulk cosmetics imported for re-export.

  • An RCMC is needed to apply for an authorisation or other benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP para 2.57). DGFT's list of councils gives CHEMEXCIL for cosmetics and toiletries, essential oils and perfumery compounds.
  • Cosmetics imported in bulk for repackaging for 100% export are exempt from the import registration certificate, on condition they are not used for domestic sale (Twelfth Schedule).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the RCMC with the exporter's record, and the export-only conditions with the lots they apply to. Ask about this

IEC, origin and shipping documents

The general rules every export from India meets.

  • No export or import of goods is made without an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) unless specifically exempted (FTP 2023, para 2.05).
  • The IEC is a 10-character code, the same as the firm's PAN, issued separately by DGFT on an online application.
  • The IEC holder updates its details online every year between April and June; an IEC not updated is de-activated.
  • Mandatory export documents are the bill of lading, airway bill or other transport receipt; the commercial invoice cum packing list; and the shipping bill or bill of export (FTP 2023, para 2.06).
  • The shipping bill is an electronic declaration in the Indian Customs EDI System, entered by the exporter or an authorised customs broker through ICEGATE or a service centre.
  • Where goods carry restrictions or need an NOC under another law, the regulator may notify additional export documents.
  • Certificates of origin for exports from India are issued only by agencies DGFT has authorised, and only through trade.gov.in (FTP para 2.62; HBP para 2.90).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the shipping bill, invoice and certificate of origin of each shipment together, so an importer's question can be answered from the record. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ManufacturerThe COS-8 licence, manufacture under competent technical staff, and the label particulars of rule 34(10).The licence and label checked and kept with each product.
ExporterThe IEC, the RCMC, the free sale certificate application and the shipping bill.Certificates kept dated, with what lapses shown before shipment.
State Licensing AuthorityThe manufacturing licence, and any code number used in place of the manufacturer's name on export labels.The licence and code kept with the products they cover.
CDSCOFree sale certificates for items under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and permission for new cosmetics.Each certificate read against what the importer asks for.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what cosmetics and beauty products have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

Do I need a licence to make cosmetics for export in India?
Yes. Manufacture of cosmetics in India is licensed by the State Licensing Authority; the licence is granted in Form COS-8 under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Can export cosmetics be labelled for the destination country?
Yes. Under rule 34(10) of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, labels of cosmetics meant for export meet the law of the destination, but still show the name, batch number, expiry date if any, manufacturer and premises, and licence number.
Can the manufacturer's name be left off an export label?
Where the consignee requires it, yes: the label then bears a code number authorised by the State Licensing Authority instead.
Who issues a free sale certificate for cosmetics from India?
For items under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which covers cosmetics, applications go to CDSCO. DGFT's regional authorities issue free sale certificates for other items not restricted for export (HBP para 2.34).
Does a new cosmetic need permission before it is made for export?
For a new cosmetic, the applicant first obtains permission in Form COS-3 from the Central Licensing Authority; the State Licensing Authority grants no manufacturing licence without it.
Which council issues an RCMC for cosmetics exporters?
DGFT's list of export promotion councils gives CHEMEXCIL for cosmetics and toiletries, essential oils and perfumery compounds. An RCMC is needed to claim authorisations or benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Can I import cosmetics in bulk to repack for export?
Cosmetics imported in bulk for repackaging for 100% export are exempt from the import registration certificate, on condition they are not used for domestic sale (Twelfth Schedule, Cosmetics Rules, 2020).
Do I need an IEC to export cosmetics?
Yes. No export of goods is made without an Importer-Exporter Code unless specifically exempted, and the IEC is updated online every year between April and June.
Who certifies Indian origin for cosmetics?
Agencies authorised by DGFT, through trade.gov.in. The invoice numbers on the certificate of origin and the shipping bill must match.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from India?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in India and what your paperwork needs to show.

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