I.CosmeticsenteredExport agentWhat basic skills are needed?

According to the latest 2025 "Administrative Measures for the Supervision of Import and Export Cosmetics," agent enterprises must possess:

• The basic qualifications:
  • Customs AEO certification qualification (preferably Advanced Certification)
  • Import and Export Operation Right and Electronic Port Filing
  • Hazardous Chemical Business License (Involving Alcohol-Containing Cosmetics)
• Special Filing:
  • Filing Certificate for Imported Non-Special Use Cosmetics (The filing cycle in 2025 is approximately 15 working days)
  • Importer registration for imported cosmetics (must be declared in the Single Window 30 days in advance)
  • GMP certification compliant with ISO 22716 standards (essential for EU/US markets)

2. What are the special considerations for international shipping of cosmetics?

Due to their unique properties, cosmetics require special attention to the following shipping specifications:

• Packaging requirements:
  • Triple leak-proof packaging (contents/cushion layer/outer box)
  • UN-certified dangerous goods packaging certificate (including pressure vessel packaging)
  • Temperature-controlled packaging (recommended to use professional equipment such as Envirotainer).
• Mode of Transport:
  • Priority selection for air transport (full temperature control + real-time tracking)
  • For sea transportation, it is necessary to declare the IMDG CODE hazard class.
  • Road transport requires an ADR international road transport permit.

III. How to Avoid the Risk of Cosmetics Being Detained During Customs Clearance?

Three key risk areas for customs inspection in 2025:

• Ingredient Compliance:
  • List of Banned Ingredients in the EU (Latest Update: March 2025)
  • Comparative Table of China's "Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients"
  • Halal Certification/Halal Certification Document Integrity
• Label Specification:
  • The Chinese label must include a complete ingredient list (listed in descending order of content).
  • Consistency between Production Batch Number and CIQ Filing Information
  • Efficacy claims require third-party testing reports.

IV. What are the differences between cross-border e-commerce and traditional trade models?

Comparative Analysis of Mainstream Models in 2025:

• Clearance method:
  • Cross-border e-commerce: 1210/9610 model (single shipment value ≤ RMB 5,000)
  • General trade: Complete filing and commodity inspection procedures are required.
• Tax Cost:
  • The comprehensive cross-border tax rate is 9.1% (VAT 70% + Consumption Tax 0%).
  • The comprehensive tax rate for general trade is approximately 24.7% (including 13% VAT + 10% consumption tax).

V. How to Choose a Professional and Reliable Agency?

It is recommended to evaluate service providers across five dimensions:

• Qualification Verification:
  • Check customs annual report records for enterprises classified as Category A or above.
  • Please confirm whether there is a special insurance for cosmetic claims.
• Service capabilities:
  • Is there a professional hazardous materials declaration team in place?
  • Whether to establish an emergency response mechanism for overseas warehouses
• Case verification:
  • Request to provide customs clearance time records for similar products.
  • Check the customs administrative penalty records for the past 2 years.

VI. How to Respond to Sudden Trade Frictions?

Refer to the handling plan for the 2024 EU cosmetic ingredient restriction case:

• Emergency measures:
  • Initiate the bonded zone goods quarantine procedure immediately.
  • Application for Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Notification) Review
• Legal Remedy:
  • File a complaint through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism
  • Application for Advance Customs Classification Ruling