Compliant Always
Get in touch

Exporting cosmetics and beauty products from the UK

Some overseas authorities ask for a Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetics, which the Department for Business and Trade issues free. Eleven CPTPP countries, including Japan, Australia and Canada, cannot require one. Cosmetics going to China may need a Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice, and animal-derived ingredients can need an export health certificate.

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

Certificate of Free Sale
Department for Business and Trade, free, digital
Not needed in
Eleven CPTPP countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada and Mexico
China
Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice from DBT
Animal-derived ingredients
Export health certificate where the destination has one
Russia
Export ban on cosmetics over set price thresholds

Before the goods leave

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

  1. 1Does the destination ask for a Certificate of Free Sale, or is it a CPTPP member? Read more
  2. 2Is the product going to China, and does it need a GMP certificate? Read more
  3. 3Does it contain an animal-derived material that needs an export health certificate? Read more
  4. 4Is the destination subject to sanctions on cosmetics? Read more
  5. 5Who lodges the export declaration, and does the buyer need proof of origin? Read more

The rules, by area

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

Certificates of Free Sale

A certificate declaring that goods meet UK safety standards, issued for overseas authorities that ask for it.

  • A Certificate of Free Sale from DBT can cover a wide range of products subject to UK product safety legislation, including cosmetic products.
  • It is not part of UK export procedures and is not the same as an export licence.
  • Applications go through DBT's Apply for an export certificate service; certificates are free and issued digitally, and can be printed if a hard copy is needed.
  • DBT's Import Licensing Branch handles queries and can send an application form by email for those who cannot use the online service.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each Certificate of Free Sale with the products and destinations it covers, dated, beside what the importer has asked for. Ask about this

CPTPP countries

Where a Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetics can no longer be required.

  • Under the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, traders from a CPTPP member cannot be required to provide a Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetic products to market, distribute or sell them in another member's country.
  • The countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
  • Exporters still asked for a certificate in those countries can contact DBT's Import Licensing Branch.

How we help: Compliant Always notes which destinations no longer need the certificate, so the paperwork a shipment carries matches the route. Ask about this

Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice for China

A certificate for cosmetics manufactured to GMP standards and exported to China.

  • A Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice applies only to cosmetic products exported to China.
  • It certifies that a brand's products are manufactured at its UK site in line with the GMP standards referred to in cosmetics legislation.
  • It is applied for through the same DBT service as a Certificate of Free Sale.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the GMP certificate with the site and products it names, and shows when the evidence behind it changes. Ask about this

Animal-derived ingredients

When an animal-derived material in a cosmetic, or for cosmetic use, needs an export health certificate.

  • APHA publishes export health certificates for animal products for cosmetic use, for example certificate 7543 for animal products for cosmetic use to Australia.
  • Exporters in Great Britain apply through EHC Online and name an official vet or inspector to sign the certificate; in Northern Ireland, DAERA is the competent authority.
  • If no EHC exists, the exporter asks the destination's competent authority what paperwork it needs.

How we help: Compliant Always flags animal-derived ingredients in a formula against the certificates for the route and keeps the EHC with the lot. Ask about this

Sanctions

Destinations to which cosmetics exports are restricted.

  • Schedule 3A to the Russia sanctions regulations lists luxury goods that cannot be exported to Russia.
  • It covers perfumes and toilet waters over £250 per 6.25 litres, and beauty, make-up, skin care and hair preparations over £250 per item or per 6.25 litres if liquid.

How we help: Compliant Always shows the sanctions lists that apply to a route beside the shipment, with the source, for the exporter to check. Ask about this

Export declaration and origin

Clearing the goods to leave the UK and supporting the buyer's duty claim.

  • An export declaration is submitted on CDS before the goods leave, and the invoice and any certificates travel with them.
  • If the goods have a reduced or zero rate of duty at the destination, the buyer may need proof of origin; imported ingredients must be sufficiently worked or processed in the UK.
  • Records supporting a proof of origin are kept for at least 4 years.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the declaration, invoice and origin evidence for each shipment together, ready when the buyer or HMRC asks. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
Brand or exporterApplying for Certificates of Free Sale or GMP, the export declaration and proof of origin.Certificates kept by product and destination, dated.
ManufacturerManufacturing to GMP at the UK site, and the ingredient records behind origin and EHCs.Site and formula records ready for each certificate.
Customs agentLodging the CDS declaration, if appointed.The documents the agent needs, from one record.
DBT Import Licensing BranchIssuing Certificates of Free Sale and Good Manufacturing Practice.Issued certificates kept with the products they cover.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Most export guidance here is written for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Exporters in Northern Ireland apply to DAERA for export health certificates, do not need one to export to the EU, and follow EU dual-use rules under the Windsor Framework.

An EORI number starting GB is needed to export from Great Britain; moving goods to or from Northern Ireland may need one starting XI.

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

Who issues a Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetics in the UK?
The Department for Business and Trade, through its Apply for an export certificate service. Certificates are free and issued digitally.
Do I need a Certificate of Free Sale to export cosmetics to Japan?
No. Following the UK's accession to the CPTPP, Japan and the other members cannot require a Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetic products as a condition to market, distribute or sell them.
Which countries no longer need a Certificate of Free Sale for UK cosmetics?
Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, the CPTPP members that have ratified the UK's accession.
What if a CPTPP country still asks for a Certificate of Free Sale?
Contact DBT's Import Licensing Branch at enquiries.ilb@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
What do I need to export cosmetics to China?
DBT issues a Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice, which applies only to cosmetics exported to China. It certifies that the brand's products are made at its UK site in line with GMP standards referred to in cosmetics legislation.
Is a Certificate of Free Sale an export licence?
No. DBT says it is not part of UK export procedures and is not the same as an export licence; it helps exporters access markets that ask for it.
Do cosmetics with animal-derived ingredients need an export health certificate?
Some destinations require one. APHA publishes certificates such as 7543 for animal products for cosmetic use to Australia. Check the EHC finder for the destination and product.
Can I export perfume or skincare to Russia?
Not above the thresholds in Schedule 3A to the Russia sanctions regulations, for example perfumes over £250 per 6.25 litres and skin care or make-up over £250 per item.
Does DBT issue certificates for medical devices or medicines?
No. Medical devices and human medicines get certificates from the MHRA, veterinary medicines from the VMD, and biocides from HSE.
Can I get a printed Certificate of Free Sale?
A successful application produces a digital certificate, which you can print if you need a hard copy.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from the UK?
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 the UK and what your paperwork needs to show.

Get in touch

No card, no account, and no call to book. Tell us what you make and where you sell it, and we will come back to you.

Get in touch