1. What certificates are required for imported cosmetics to enter China?

How do imported cosmetics enter the Chinese market? The reporter found that whenever imported products enter the mainland market, they usually follow the requirements of establishing a branch or authorizing There are two ways for the general agent in China. On the basis that the company's relevant qualifications are complete, the brand needs to apply for the required relevant certificates, which are commonly known as the "three certificates" - "Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods" and "Import and Export Cosmetics Label Review Certificate" "(cancelled in April 2006), "Cosmetic Inspection and Quarantine CIQ Mark" (cancelled in February 2012).

2. How to obtain the (special) approval document or (non-special) registration certificate from the Food and Drug Administration?

“After the Food and Drug Administration approves it, there will be a filing document. We call it "Hygienic License Approval for Imported Special-Purpose Cosmetics" and "Registration Certificate for Imported Non-Special-Purpose Cosmetics". Each product must have such a certificate before it can be declared and registered. "Sharon said that the entire approval process is roughly. It takes about a year, and even two years for special products.

Step1 Choose a product and give it a standard Chinese name

There are many imported products with SKUs. Generally, products that are suitable for the domestic market and have good reputation in the local market will be selected first. The product name, formula ingredients, and packaging standards must comply with domestic import approval requirements. Sharon added: "The Chinese names of imported products when entering the mainland must comply with the "Cosmetic Naming Standards" and cannot contain forbidden words such as full effect, high efficiency, first, special, top, extraordinary, skin resurfacing, wrinkle removal, etc. The raw material formula also has Strict regulations prohibit the use of prohibited ingredients specified in cosmetic hygiene regulations. This part will be reviewed by colleagues in the regulatory department. ”

Step 2 Submit the sample for inspection and file it with the Food and Drug Administration

Sharon pointed out that after the products are screened out, the importer must prepare product samples and required product information (including packaging, formula, etc.) and submit them to the State Food and Drug Administration for filing one by one. This process is the branding process. Fang said that the procedure is complicated, difficult and time-consuming to obtain the "pass" for imported cosmetics.

It is reported that it only takes 5 working days to apply for an account registration at the Food and Drug Administration.

First of all, the sample data will be sent to relevant inspection agencies (three agencies in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) for safety assessment. Special products also need human patch testing or special human trials, which will take at least 2-4 months. ; Then it will be transferred to the Health Supervision Center for a preliminary review of the application materials, which will take at least 4-8 months; after that, the review committee will review the technology contained in the sample, which will take at least 3 months; finally, the health administration department will review the application materials. Administrative review of all steps will take at least 20 working days. Imported cosmetics can be inspected by the following three inspection agencies according to the company's circumstances:

① Institute of Environmental and Health-related Product Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Address: Pan, Chaoyang District, Beijing Jiayuan Nanli No. 7

Test items: Domestic special cosmetics, imported cosmetics, drinking water hygiene and safety products, disinfection products

②Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Address: No. 1380, Zhongshan West Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Test items: Domestic special cosmetics, imported cosmetics, drinking water hygiene and safety products

③Guangdong Province Disease Prevention and Control Center

Address: No. 176, Xingang West Road, Guangzhou

Test items: Domestic special cosmetics, imported cosmetics, drinking water hygiene and safety products

Step3 Submit Declare materials and obtain certificates

It is worth noting that one of them is a product agency contract (agency authorization letter) signed with an imported goods company. Since the approval period is valid for 4 years, the agency contract period is best Over 4 years.

While signing the contract, it is best for the importer to provide product-related technical information, such as complete formula, process (process description and process flow diagram), quality standards, etc. Relevant supporting documents are also required. , such as sales certificates, etc. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that some foreign companies are unwilling to provide individual core technical information due to intellectual property protection.

In addition, the product name, packaging, Chinese label design, layout and text excerpts required for customs declaration must be consistent with those previously reported. The product name and formula are generally avoided when the brand is given a Chinese name. Disabled items.

What is the difficulty?

Although the picture seems simple, the difficulties are quite many and complex, such as:

Q1. Do you agree to animal experiments?

For products from European countries, it is necessary to confirm whether the importer agrees with animal testing, because European countries do not advocate animal testing, and animal testing is a must during inspection.

Q2. Does the formula or packaging meet the approval requirements?

Regarding the approval experience, Sharon shared that it is best for companies to analyze in advance whether the product meets some of the domestic import approval requirements. For example, its formula ingredients, whether it is registered and recognized in China, whether the packaging meets some standards for imported products, etc. This preparation is usually complex and time-consuming.

Q3. What are the special requirements for special products?

Special products also have some special requirements during sample inspection, preliminary material review and review. During sample inspection, for example, if the formula contains fruit acid, the fruit acid content must be tested.

Special products also require a "Brief Description and Diagram of the Production Process" and "Effective Ingredients and their Scientific Documents". The review of special products has its own specific time: it is held every two months, starting in the middle of each month. Each review meeting lasts about 10 to 15 days, but there is no time limit for non-special products. .

3. How to obtain the inspection and quarantine certificate from the Customs Department?

After obtaining the (special) approval document or (non-special) filing certificate, you also need to obtain the inspection and quarantine certificate from the Customs Department, Sharon Said: "The entire customs declaration process generally takes 1-3 months. After the goods are sampled and tested by the Industrial and Commercial Bureau and the Customs, the products can enter the domestic warehouse and then be released to each customer for sale." The specific steps are as follows:

Step4 Go through customs filing and registration

Before customs declaration, the receiving company needs to go to the local customs to register the receiving company. Sharon reminded: The receiving company must register, keep the consignee’s registration number, record the flow of cosmetics and other related records.

Step5 Customs declaration procedures

Now you can proceed with the normal customs declaration procedures, which means you can come in legally. Sharon said, “When applying for inspection and filing of imported cosmetics for the first time, the consignee must provide some documents and information. The general process is: inspection, customs declaration, tax payment, release, testing, filing, and certification. Imported cosmetics have passed inspection and quarantine. Afterwards, the inspection and quarantine agency will issue a "Certificate of Compliance for Inspection and Quarantine of Entry Goods"

Although Chinese labels are no longer pre-reviewed, Chinese labels are still very strict. Don't underestimate Chinese labels. According to the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau’s jurisdiction over the handling of unqualified imported cosmetics in the first three quarters, the main reason for unqualification was unqualified labels. If the product passes the inspection, "label qualified after review" will be added to the inspection certificate issued in accordance with regulations.

Step6 Obtain the batch number and ship to customers for sale

Sharon added: “Each batch of products has a corresponding batch number, and each product needs a corresponding certificate. Customs declaration can only be made after obtaining the certificate. "This means that overseas cosmetics can enter the Chinese market with the imported cosmetics health license (recording certificate) and inspection and quarantine certificate. Congratulations, your imported products can be picked up from the customs. , normally sold through major domestic channels.