General Administration of Customs of China Issues Announcement on Requirements for Cosmetics 
On May 11, 2026, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) published the Announcement on Matters Concerning the Implementation of the ‘Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Cosmetics Inspection, Quarantine, Supervision, and Administration‘ on its official website. This announcement was formulated to effectively implement the aforementioned administrative measures.
The announcement will take effect on December 1, 2026. In the event of any inconsistency between previously promulgated relevant provisions and this announcement, this announcement shall PREVAIL.
Furthermore, the following documents will be REPEALED simultaneously upon the effective date of this announcement:
- Announcement on Matters Concerning the Implementation of the ‘Administrative Measures on Inspection, Quarantine, Supervision, and Administration of Imported and Exported Cosmetics’
- Announcement on the Promulgation of the ‘Provisions on the Registration of Domestic Consignees of Imported Cosmetics and the Management of Import and Sales Records’
- Notice on Matters Concerning the Thorough Implementation of the ‘Administrative Measures on Inspection, Quarantine, Supervision, and Administration of Imported and Exported Cosmetics’
- Notice of the General Office of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on the Implementation of the ‘Provisions on the Filing of Domestic Consignees of Imported Cosmetics and the Management of Import and Sales Records’
An overview of the announcement is provided below.
Declarations for Imported Cosmetics
When importing cosmetics, cosmetics importers must submit a “Customs Import Goods Declaration” to Customs as the “domestic consignee.” The declaration MUST satisfy the following requirements:
- Under the “Product License” section of the declaration form, the registration certificate number for special cosmetics or the filing number for general cosmetics obtained from the drug regulatory department must be entered as required in the certificate column for Administrative Approval for Imported (Non-)Special Purpose Cosmetics (License Category Code “526”).
- Entry of the registration certificate number for special cosmetics or the filing number for general cosmetics is not required for the following items:
- Samples intended for cosmetics import registration or filing.
- Non-trial samples used for corporate testing, research and development (R&D), or promotional purposes.
- Cosmetics declared and imported for official use by foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China or by representative offices of international organizations in China that enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.
- Imported cosmetics exhibits that are not intended for trial or sale.
- Declarations for imported cosmetics registration or filing samples, as well as non-trial samples for corporate testing, R&D, or promotional purposes, must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of Article 13 of the “Measures.” The specific details required under Other Materials Required by Customs are as follows:
- Samples for import registration or filing: Relevant supporting documentation issued by a cosmetics registration and filing testing institution must be submitted.
- Non-trial samples for testing and R&D: A testing and R&D plan, along with documentation proving the technical capabilities of the implementing facility, must be submitted. If the testing is outsourced to a third-party testing institution, the corresponding outsourced testing contract must also be enclosed.
- Non-trial samples for promotional purposes: A promotional plan must be submitted. The plan must explicitly state details such as the location of use, method of use, target audience, and disposal method for the samples.
- For semi-finished imported cosmetics, “semi-finished cosmetics” must be entered into the “Other” field under the “Specifications and Models” section. Additionally, “15 – Non-prepackaged” must be checked in the “Goods Attributes” column, and the name, address, and cosmetics production license number of the enterprise performing the filling or secondary packaging must be specified in the “Remarks” column. Importers must also declare that the semi-finished imported cosmetics comply with the mandatory requirements of national technical specifications.
Recording of Imported Cosmetics Information
The imported cosmetics information recorded by cosmetics importers MUST include:
- Customs Declaration Number
- Date of Entry
- Product Name
- Brand
- Special Cosmetics Registration Certificate Number or General Cosmetics Filing Number
- Specifications
- Quantity/Weight
- Production Batch Number
- Expiration Date (or date of manufacture and shelf life)
- Country or Region of Origin
- Trading Country or Region
- Name of the Manufacturer/Processor
- Name of the Overseas Exporter (or agent)
- Storage Location
- Name and Contact Information of the Buyer
- the Sales Date and Quantity.
Cosmetics importers are strongly encouraged to utilize digital systems to maintain these records.
Applications for Pre-Export Inspection of Cosmetics
When applying for a pre-export inspection of cosmetics, the manufacturer, shipper, or their agent MUST truthfully declare details confirming that the manufacturer holds a Valid Cosmetics Production License, possesses a Sample Label alongside its Chinese translation, and that the exported cosmetics comply with the standards or contractual requirements of the importing country or region. If verification is deemed necessary during the customs supervision process, the manufacturer, shipper, or their agent must present the relevant documentation mentioned above for inspection.
Mandatory Requirements of National Technical Specifications
The term Mandatory Requirements of National Technical Specifications as referenced in these “Measures” includes supplementary technical requirements regarding cosmetics quality and safety formulated by the drug regulatory department of the State Council to fulfill regulatory supervision needs.
The original text of the announcement can be viewed at the following URL (Simplified Chinese):
http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/2026-05/12/article_2026051211114383082.html
