Korean Cosmetics Import Documents Checklist by Country (2026)

Korean Cosmetics Import Documents Checklist by Country (2026)

Importing Korean cosmetics for resale? The documents you need depend less on Korea and more on where you sell. This page puts 11 markets side by side, so you can see who files what before you commit to a first order.

Last checked: October 31, 2026. Rules change, and this is a planning guide, not legal advice. Confirm the details with your customs broker or a local regulatory agent before you ship.

The short version

Almost every market asks you to answer the same four questions:

1. Who is legally responsible for the product locally? Usually the importer or a named local company.
2. Has the product been notified or registered? Most markets want this before sale. Some want it before import.
3. Does the label meet local rules? Language, ingredient list and responsible company details are the usual problems.
4. Can you show the safety and ingredient file? You will need the brand's help, so ask early.

Documents to collect for every shipment

These are standard trade papers, whatever the destination. Your broker may ask for more.

• Commercial invoice with a clear description of the goods in each package
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• HS code for each product, confirmed with your broker
• Certificate of origin, if you want to claim a trade agreement rate

Documents to request from the Korean brand

Ask for these before you place a wholesale order. If a brand can't provide them, your filing will stall.

• Full ingredient list (INCI names)
• Product specifications and safety data
• Certificate of analysis or test reports
• GMP certificate of the manufacturing site, if available
• Certificate of free sale, if your market asks for one
• Label artwork, editable if you need to add a local label
• Authorization letter naming you as importer or notifier, where required

Country checklist at a glance

Market	Regulator	Local responsible party	Main filing	Timing
United States	FDA	Company named on the label	Facility registration and product listing (MoCRA)	Keep current; small business exemptions exist
European Union	European Commission, national authorities	EU Responsible Person	CPNP notification, product information file	Before sale
United Kingdom (Great Britain)	OPSS	UK Responsible Person	SCPN notification	Before sale
Canada	Health Canada	Manufacturer or importer	Cosmetic Notification	Within 10 days of first sale
Australia	AICIS	Importer	AICIS business registration, ingredient check	Before import
Japan	MHLW, prefecture	Licensed marketing authorization holder	Marketing license, import notifications	Before first shipment
Singapore	HSA	Local company	Cosmetic product notification (PRISM)	Before supply, renew yearly
Vietnam	Drug Administration of Vietnam	Local trader authorized by the brand	Product notification	Before sale; new decree pending
Indonesia	BPOM, BPJPH (halal)	Local importer	BPOM notification; halal rules	Before sale; check halal status
Saudi Arabia	SFDA	Local company with warehouse license	eCosma listing, certificate of conformity	Before shipment
India	CDSCO	Manufacturer, agent or Indian importer	Import registration (Form COS-1, certificate COS-2)	Before import; target review 90 days

Market notes

United States

• Confirm who is the responsible person: the company whose name appears on the label
• Check that the manufacturing facility is registered with FDA, with a US agent for foreign facilities
• Check that each product and its ingredients are listed with FDA
• Check whether the small business exemption applies. It doesn't cover every product type, including products that regularly contact the eye's mucous membrane
• Label in English, with country of origin marked
• Prepare CBP entry papers. Entries over $2,500 are formal and need a bond

FDA can refuse entry to cosmetics that appear adulterated or misbranded. Full walkthrough: FDA and MoCRA guide and US customs clearance documents.

European Union

• Appoint an EU Responsible Person. The importer can take this role
• Notify each product in CPNP before it goes on the market
• Keep the product information file available to authorities at the Responsible Person's address
• Notify products containing nanomaterials six months before sale, where this rule applies

Details: EU import guide: CPNP, CPSR and Responsible Person.

United Kingdom

• Name a UK Responsible Person. An importer takes this role by default, but can appoint an agent
• Notify in the UK's SCPN service for Great Britain
• For Northern Ireland, notify in CPNP through a Responsible Person in Northern Ireland or the EEA

An EU notification doesn't cover Great Britain. See wholesale for Europe and the UK.

Canada

• File a Cosmetic Notification within 10 days of first sale. Importers carry this duty too
• Screen ingredients against Health Canada's Hotlist
• Update the notification within 10 days if information becomes inaccurate

There's no notification fee, and filing isn't an approval. More: Korean skincare in Canada.

Australia

• Register your business with AICIS before importing cosmetics with sunscreen, and check whether your other products need registration too
• Check every ingredient against the Australian Inventory. If one isn't listed, categorize it before import
• Check whether an SPF product counts as a cosmetic or a therapeutic good

Registration covers your business, not each product. More: Australia import guide.

Japan

• Work with a company that holds a cosmetics marketing license, or get your own
• Hold a manufacturing license too if you label, repackage or store products in Japan
• File the import and brand name notifications before the first shipment
• Check ingredients against Japan's Standards for Cosmetics
• Label in Japanese, with the distributor's name and address, lot code and ingredients

More: Japan import guide.

Singapore

• Submit a cosmetic product notification through PRISM before supply
• Renew the notification each year
• Show the name and address of the local company on the label

Singapore applies the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive. Notification isn't HSA approval. Other ASEAN members use the same framework with their own local steps. See Southeast Asia market entry.

Vietnam

• Use a local company with the right trade functions as the notifier
• Get an authorization letter from the brand
• Obtain the product notification receipt number before sale

Vietnam notified the WTO of a new draft cosmetics decree in October 2026. Dates differ between reports, so ask your local agent which rules apply when you ship. More: Vietnam import guide.

Indonesia

• Use a local importer to notify products with BPOM
• Ask your agent where each product stands on halal: certified or labeled as non-halal
• Track the halal deadline. Indonesia moved the phase-in deadline for cosmetics to October 17, 2028. Ask BPJPH or your agent how this applies to imported products

Saudi Arabia

• Work with a local company that holds an SFDA account and warehouse license
• List each product in eCosma and use the notification number on clearance papers
• Get a certificate of conformity before shipment. It's separate from the eCosma listing
• Label in Arabic and check the current GSO cosmetics standard

This section relies partly on compliance firms' published guides, so confirm the steps with your local partner. More: Middle East guide: halal and SFDA.

India

• Register before import. Apply with Form COS-1 on the SUGAM portal and receive the certificate on Form COS-2
• Get an apostilled authorization from the manufacturer if an agent or importer applies
• Budget for government fees: USD 1,000 per category, USD 500 per manufacturing site and USD 50 per variant
• Print the registration number on the label, preceded by "RC"

The regulator's target review time is 90 days. Fees can change, so check CDSCO before you file. More: India import guide.

Test the products before you file

Registration takes time and money, so it pays to know which products are worth it. Narrow your list first, then start the paperwork only for what your customers want.

Naru Box lets retailers and distributors try Korean products first: samples are free, and good fits get shipping covered too. You can choose from 200+ verified Korean brands on Hannaru.

Ready to compare? Build your free sample box.

FAQ

Do I need to register Korean cosmetics before importing them? It depends on the market. India requires registration before import. The EU, UK and Singapore require notification before sale. Canada allows notification within 10 days of first sale.

Who files the paperwork, the Korean brand or the importer? Usually a local party. In many markets, that is the importer or a company named on the label. The brand supplies the documents, and may need to sign an authorization.

Is a notification the same as an approval? No. Health Canada and Singapore's HSA both say notification isn't approval. You're still responsible for making sure the product complies.

Do samples need the same paperwork? Don't assume they're exempt. Rules for samples vary, so ask your broker before you ship samples for commercial evaluation.

Do Korean labels work? Usually not on their own. Most markets on this list expect the local language and local responsible party details. A local sticker label may work in some markets, so check first.

Official sources

• FDA: MoCRA and Cosmetics Importers
• CBP: Importing into the United States
• European Commission: Cosmetics legislation
• GOV.UK: Submit cosmetic product notifications
• Health Canada: Notification of Cosmetics
• AICIS: Cosmetics with sunscreen
• Japan Customs: Importation of cosmetics FAQ
• HSA Singapore: Cosmetic products overview
• CDSCO India: Cosmetics
• SFDA Saudi Arabia
• BPJPH Indonesia