Is the facial cleanser's customs clearance rejected and shipped back? 90% of people overlook these points

Mr. Zhang recently purchased a batch of amino acid facial cleansers from Japan on behalf of others, but they were detained at the customs for a full three weeks. Ms. Li's small - brand Korean facial cleansing products were all returned due to ingredient problems, with a loss of nearly 10,000 yuan. How deep is the water in cosmetics import customs clearance? Today, we will uncover the key links in facial cleanser import agency to help you avoid those invisible "minefields".

Why does facial cleanser customs clearance always have problems?

Different from ordinary daily necessities, as a cosmetic that directly contacts the skin, facial cleanser is under the dual supervision of the customs and the Food and Drug Administration. Data in 2023 shows that about 37% of cosmetics customs clearance delays are due to incomplete filing materials or excessive ingredient levels. Common problems include:

• Failing to handle cosmetics filing in advance (non - special - use cosmetics require a filing number)
• The pH value of soap - based products exceeds the national standard range
• Containing unapproved preservative ingredients (such as MIT/CIT)
• The outer packaging lacks Chinese labels and ingredient lists

The four core services of professional agencies

Formal customs clearance agencies such as Zhongshitong can provide a full - process solution:

• Pre - inspection service: Review in advance whether the formula contains prohibited ingredients
• Fast filing: Complete the filing of non - special cosmetics within 3 - 5 working days
• Tariff optimization: Use free trade agreements to reduce tax rates (for example, the tariffs on Japanese cosmetics under RCEP decrease year by year)
• Emergency handling: Provide supplementary technical materials when sampled by the customs

Where exactly does the customs clearance cost go?

Taking a certain Korean brand facial cleanser as an example, the cost composition of a single - batch customs clearance:

• Filing service fee: 800 - 1500 yuan
• Inspection and quarantine fee: Charged at 0.5% of the cargo value
• Tariff (Most - Favored - Nation rate): 6.5%
• Value - added tax: 13%
• Agency service fee: Usually 3% - 5% of the cargo value

Note: Some agencies attract customers with "ultra - low prices", but in fact, they reduce costs through illegal operations such as under - reporting ingredients, which may ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire batch of goods.

Self - customs clearance or find an agency? Three key questions

Before making a decision, it is recommended to first evaluate:

• Are you familiar with the latest version of the Cosmetics Safety Technical Code?
• Can you accurately translate the foreign - language ingredient list and check the list of prohibited substances?
• Do you have the time to handle the supplementary material process that may take several months?

Statistics show that the average time for personal self - customs clearance is 2 - 3 times longer than that of professional agencies, and the first - time declaration pass rate is less than 40%.

Suggestions for next steps

If you are considering importing facial cleansers:

• Immediately check whether the product is within the Catalog of Non - Special - Use Cosmetics
• Retain the complete certificate of origin and ingredient analysis report
• Consult professional agencies such as Zhongshitong for free customs clearance evaluation

Welcome to share your customs clearance experience in the comment area. We will select typical cases for professional analysis. In the next issue, we will uncover the special precautions for importing facial masks. Click to follow and don't miss the update!