Documentation and Preparation Procedures
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To export cosmetic products overseas, companies must prepare various documents in accordance with the regulations of each target country. The basic required documents and additional country-specific documents are as follows:
Standard Required Documents - Business Registration Certificate and Export Declaration Certificate - Invoice and Packing List - Full ingredient list, or INCI List - Product test reports, such as MSDS and COA
Additional Country-Specific Requirements - Europe: CPNP notification, Product Information File(PIF), and Cosmetic Product Safety Report(CPSR) - United States: MoCRA notification, with additional certification required for OTC products - China: NMPA registration, CFDA certification, and raw material safety data - India: CDSCO certification, BIS registration, and confirmation of compliance with product labeling requirements - ASEAN countries: ACD, or ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, registration documents and product safety report
Use of CDRI Solutions - CDRI provides AI-based cosmetics certification and overseas export regulatory approval solutions to support fast and accurate preparation of country-specific export documentation. Through automated document review, updates reflecting the latest regulations, and test report preparation, CDRI helps companies manage overseas export procedures more efficiently.
Yes. CDRI has entered into MOUs with multiple laboratories and provides optimized pricing with applicable discounts even for individual tests.
CDRI offers cost-effective solutions not only for test packages but also for individual tests, helping companies conduct clinical testing for cosmetics certification with greater flexibility.
Yes. CDRI supports overseas export procedures as quickly as possible without additional fees.
By working with multiple human application testing institutions, CDRI checks available testing schedules in real time and matches companies with the most suitable institution so that cosmetics certification testing can be completed within the shortest possible timeframe. CDRI also actively supports flexible arrangements when urgent processing is required during the overseas export process.
Yes. Depending on the regulations of the export destination, translation of cosmetics export documents may be required during the cosmetics certification and export process. Certicos can issue test reports not only in English but also in various other languages, including Chinese.
Since the required language may vary by country, it is important to prepare appropriate translations of cosmetics export documents in accordance with applicable regulations. Additional costs, such as translation fees, may apply for cosmetics export document translation, and an accurate quotation will be provided upon request.
Cosmetic product samples play an important role in the cosmetics export documentation preparation process by helping verify whether the product meets quality and regulatory requirements. Sample management generally follows the procedures below:
Sample Preparation and Labeling - Prepare samples that comply with the regulations of the target export country and indicate information such as the INCI List, expiration date, and directions for use. - Review each country’s labeling requirements and, if necessary, translate and attach the label in the required language.
Sample Testing and Quality Assurance - Conduct safety assessments through product stability testing, microbiological testing, and testing for heavy metals and harmful substances. - For functional cosmetics, obtain reports through clinical testing or efficacy verification testing.
Sample Management Linked to Cosmetics Export Documentation - Prepare in advance the documents that must be submitted together with the samples, such as invoice, COA, MSDS, and test reports. - Attach additional documents required by the importing country, such as CPNP registration or FDA approval documents.
Sample Shipment in Accordance with Export Destination Regulations - Since some countries require sample submission before product approval, customs clearance requirements for the relevant country should be checked in advance. - Samples should be properly packaged in accordance with each country’s import regulations, and quantity restrictions must be followed.
Use of CDRI Solutions CDRI supports fast management of cosmetic product samples and cosmetics export documentation through AI-based cosmetics certification and overseas export regulatory approval solutions. By reflecting the latest country-specific regulations, CDRI helps companies proceed smoothly with export procedures through sample testing, automated document review, and export requirement analysis.
Yes. Previously conducted test results may be used, and if the full ingredient composition of the product has not changed, the same test results may be used for overseas cosmetics certification.
However, depending on the requirements of the overseas cosmetics certification authority, if a product name change is required, a test report may be issued under the new product name based on the existing test results. In addition, some countries may require additional testing even for products with the same ingredients, so it is important to check the regulations of the relevant country in advance.
If necessary, CDRI reviews country-specific requirements to assess whether existing test results can be used and provides appropriate solutions when additional procedures are required for overseas cosmetics certification.
To ensure smooth customs clearance and logistics procedures for overseas export, companies must prepare the required documents in accordance with the regulations of both the exporting and importing countries. In general, the following documents are required:
Basic Required Documents - Commercial Invoice: A document that includes the product name, quantity, unit price, total amount, and information on the exporter and importer. - Packing List: A document specifying the packaging method, size, weight, and packaging unit of the products. - Certificate of Origin, or CO: A document certifying that the product was manufactured in a specific country. It is essential when applying an FTA, or Free Trade Agreement. - Customs Declaration: A document required for customs declaration in the exporting and importing countries.
Additional Documents Required for Overseas Cosmetics Export - MSDS, or Material Safety Data Sheet: A document containing the product’s chemical composition, safety information, and handling precautions. - COA, or Certificate of Analysis: A test report that verifies the quality of the product. - CPNP/FDA/CDSCO registration certificates: Cosmetic regulatory approval or product registration confirmation documents required by the relevant country.
Transportation and Insurance Documents - Bill of Lading, or B/L: A document used for sea freight that serves as proof of the transport contract and receipt of goods. - Air Waybill, or AWB: A transport document used for air freight. - Cargo Insurance Certificate: An insurance certificate that covers potential loss or damage during transportation.
Use of CDRI Solutions CDRI automates the preparation of country-specific customs and logistics documents through AI-based cosmetics certification and overseas export regulatory approval solutions. By reflecting the latest regulations, CDRI supports fast and accurate document preparation, helping companies proceed smoothly with export procedures.
Ingredient reports for export cosmetic products must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the standards required by each country’s regulatory authority. They are essential cosmetics export documents that demonstrate product safety and regulatory compliance. The submission procedure is as follows:
1. Preparation and Review of the Ingredient List - Prepare the product’s full ingredient list, or INCI List, and check the concentration ratio of each ingredient. - Review the list of prohibited and restricted ingredients in the target export country to confirm regulatory compliance.
2. Ingredient Safety and Quality Testing - Conduct safety testing for heavy metals, microorganisms, and ingredients that may cause allergic reactions. - Conduct product stability testing, including temperature variation, pH, and viscosity testing, and include efficacy evaluation for functional cosmetics.
3. Preparation of Ingredient Reports and Certification Documents - Prepare related documents such as COA, or Certificate of Analysis, and MSDS, or Material Safety Data Sheet. - For certain countries, such as the EU, the United States, and China, additional submission of a product safety assessment report may be required.
4. Submission to Country-Specific Regulatory Authorities - Europe: Submit the Product Information File, or PIF, and CPSR, or Cosmetic Product Safety Report, when registering through CPNP. - United States: Submit product ingredient reports when registering under FDA MoCRA. - China: Submit raw material and product safety data when registering with NMPA. - India: Submit product ingredient and raw material data when applying for CDSCO certification.
5. Approval and Supplementary Submission Process - If the regulatory authority requests additional cosmetics export documents after review, supplementary documents must be submitted. - Once registration is complete, the product may be distributed.
Use of CDRI Solutions CDRI provides AI-based cosmetics certification and overseas export regulatory approval solutions to automate country-specific ingredient report submission procedures. By reflecting the latest regulations, CDRI supports fast and accurate preparation of cosmetics export documentation, helping companies proceed with certification procedures more efficiently.
We have experience in cosmetics certification for more than 35 countries and provide guidance on test reports that can be used in the countries where companies plan to export cosmetic products. We review each country’s regulatory authority and certification requirements to confirm where test reports are recognized and also advise on any additional supplementary requirements, if necessary.
Currently, test reports can be issued for the following countries:
- Japan, United States, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Myanmar, South Africa, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Cambodia, United Kingdom, Honduras, Costa Rica, Russia, Singapore, Qatar, India, Canada, Colombia, and Panama - European Union, or EU
Since the validity of test reports and required supplementary documents may vary depending on each country’s cosmetics certification requirements, it is important to check country-specific regulations before exporting. CDRI supports the issuance of test reports that can be used for certification in the relevant country and provides optimized solutions in accordance with the regulations of the export destination.
The submission deadline and processing time for cosmetics export documents required for product registration vary depending on the regulations of the target export country. In general, cosmetics regulatory approval procedures in each country are as follows:
1. European Union, or EU — CPNP Registration - Submission deadline: Before product launch - Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks Once the PIF is prepared and the CPSR safety assessment is completed, the product can be distributed immediately after CPNP registration.
2. United States — FDA MoCRA Registration - Submission deadline: Before product launch - Processing time: 2 to 6 weeks Sales are possible after ingredient reporting through the MoCRA system and registration of the responsible company are completed.
3. China — NMPA Registration - Submission deadline: Prior registration is required before product export. - Processing time: 3 to 12 months General cosmetics: 3 to 6 months; functional cosmetics: 6 to 12 months.
4. India — CDSCO Registration - Submission deadline: Prior registration is required before import and sale. - Processing time: 3 to 5 months This includes ingredient review and safety assessment.
5. ASEAN Countries — ACD Registration - Submission deadline: Prior notification may be required before export depending on each country’s regulations. - Processing time: 1 to 3 months, depending on the country.
Use of CDRI Solutions CDRI provides AI-based cosmetics certification and overseas export regulatory approval solutions to automatically analyze country-specific product registration deadlines and support fast and accurate preparation of cosmetics export documentation by reflecting the latest regulations. This helps companies proceed with export procedures more efficiently.