Importing Cosmetics without Customs Declaration = Throwing Money Away?

Ms. Li recently purchased a batch of high-end skin care products through overseas purchasing agents. She was full of expectations but received a notice of detention from the customs. Like Mr. Zhang, many people don't know that: Customs declaration is mandatory for cosmetics imports, otherwise they may face destruction or high fines. This article will unveil the mystery of cosmetics import customs declaration and help you avoid those "invisible" pitfalls.

According to the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Inspection and Quarantine of Import and Export Cosmetics in China, cosmetics are legally inspected commodities. Imported cosmetics without customs declaration may pose the following risks:

• The ingredients do not meet China's safety standards.
• They carry pathogenic microorganisms.
• False claims of efficacy.

In 2023, a certain customs office once seized a batch of "whitening creams" with mercury levels 200 times above the standard. The consequences would be unimaginable if these products had entered the market.

Step One: Qualification Preparation

The following need to be provided:

• Certificate of Origin
• Ingredient Analysis Sheet (Chinese translation required)
• Copy of the Business License of the Manufacturer

Experts from Zhongshitong remind that for special-purpose cosmetics (such as sunscreens, hair dyes), an additional application for a health permit approval document is required.

Step Two: Customs Declaration

Key Points to Note:

• The HS code must be accurate (cosmetics usually start with 3304).
• The declared value must be consistent with the purchase voucher.
• The ingredient list must indicate all ingredients and their percentage contents.

Step Three: Inspection and Quarantine

The customs will randomly sample and send for testing. The testing items include:

• Microbial Indicators
• Heavy Metal Content
• Screening for Prohibited Substances

The whole process usually takes 15 - 30 working days. Urgent shipments can apply for an expedited channel.

Mr. Zhang purchased a small amount for personal use through an e-commerce platform, which is completely different from Ms. Li's way of importing in batches for sales:

• Personal Items: Duty-free for items worth less than 1,000 yuan. Items exceeding the limit are taxed at a rate of 60%.
• Commercial Imports: Customs duties + value-added tax + consumption tax need to be paid (up to 50%).

Starting from 2024, the customs has intensified its crackdown on the behavior of evading commercial supervision by "breaking up into small parts".

Typical cases handled by Zhongshitong serve as a warning:

• Declaring "botulinum toxin" as "biological extract" led to the destruction of the whole batch.
• Failure to indicate the alcohol content led to complaints from sensitive consumers.
• Using the filing number of other brands without permission led to an investigation being launched.

Special Reminder: Although the bonded warehouse model of cross-border e-commerce simplifies the process, the filing procedures still need to be completed.

If you are planning to import cosmetics:

• Immediately check whether the product ingredients comply with the Technical Specifications for the Safety of Cosmetics.
• Keep complete proof documents of the purchase chain.
• Consider entrusting a professional customs declaration agent.

You are welcome to share your customs declaration experiences in the comment section, or send a private message to obtain the latest cosmetics import white paper. In the next issue, we will explain in detail the crisis handling plan for "How to Deal with Unqualified Customs Sampling".