Full Process Analysis of Imported Cosmetics Registration Declaration in 2026

Real Pain Points of Imported Cosmetics Registration Declaration

In the first half of 2026,the total value of imported cosmetics at Shanghai Port increased by 12% year-on-year,but many beauty brands from Japan,South Korea,Europe and the United States suffered setbacks in the registration declaration process: a Japanese and South Korean skin care brand delayed customs clearance by more than 10 days due to missing filing materials; a European and American makeup brand was directly required to resubmit its component test reports that did not meet the new national standards.The core of these problems lies in the fact that imported cosmetics registration declaration involves multi-department supervision and multi-link compliance,and ordinary enterprises cannot timely grasp policy changes and easily fall into traps.

Core Value of Zhongshen in Imported Cosmetics Declaration

As a professional local foreign trade agency in Shanghai,Zhongshen provides end-to-end services from pre-qualification review to post-customs clearance for the pain points of imported cosmetics registration declaration.Its core advantages include: being familiar with the 2026 revised version of the *Measures for the Administration of Cosmetics Registration and Filing*,accurately helping enterprises match the details such as the domestic responsible entity system and component testing standards,shortening the declaration cycle and avoiding compliance risks.

1.Pre-qualification and Material Pre-review: Pass the First Declaration Check

The 2026 revised version of the *Measures for the Administration of Cosmetics Registration and Filing* has stricter requirements for pre-submitted materials of imported cosmetics:

• For ordinary cosmetics,the domestic responsible entity must complete filing and provide qualification certificates of the responsible entity;
• For special cosmetics (sun protection,whitening,etc.),a registration certificate must be obtained,and a component safety assessment report and qualification certificates of overseas manufacturing enterprises shall be submitted;
• For cosmetics containing animal and plant-derived components,origin quarantine certificates shall be provided,and some raw materials must meet the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Assistance method of Zhongshen: Last year,when a Ms.Fang from a European makeup brand contacted us,its component test report did not mark the standards corresponding to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.We immediately assisted in connecting with domestic third-party testing institutions to conduct supplementary tests,avoiding subsequent rejection of the declaration.

2.Registration and Filing Declaration: Distinguish Between Ordinary and Special Cosmetics

The declaration processes for ordinary and special cosmetics differ greatly.New requirements in 2026: All imported cosmetics must mark "domestic responsible entity information" and "product traceability code".

Zhongshen Case: For special cosmetics,the team is familiar with the key points of technical review (such as the validity of SPF/PFA value test reports for sun protection products).Once we helped a Japanese sun protection brand,Mr.Li,complete the submission of registration application within 15 working days,3 days faster than the industry average.

3.Port Customs Declaration and Commodity Inspection: Ensure Fast Customs Clearance

Core requirements of customs declaration and commodity inspection:

• Customs declaration requires providing import cargo declaration form,bill of lading,invoice,packing list,and electronic account of cosmetics (declared via the "Single Window");
• Commodity inspection needs to verify whether the product labels comply with China’s *Measures for the Administration of Cosmetics Labels* (updated in 2026: full Chinese component names,expiration date,and precautions must be marked),and some products need sampling tests.

Zhongshen Assistance: Last year,after a Korean skin care brand,Mr.Cao,arrived at the port,we checked the labels in advance and found that its "moisturizing" efficacy description did not provide test basis.We immediately assisted in supplementing materials,completed commodity inspection and release on the same day,avoiding storage fees caused by cargo detention at the port.

4.Follow-up: Filing Update and Traceability Code Maintenance

2026 requirements: Any changes to product formulas or components must update the filing within 10 working days; the traceability code must be connected to the "China Cosmetics Regulatory Platform" to ensure traceability.Zhongshen provides annual filing maintenance reminders to help enterprises update materials in time,avoiding penalties caused by delayed information.

Actual Case: Declaration Journey of an Australian Natural Skin Care Brand

At the end of 2025,Mr.Meng from an Australian natural skin care brand planned to enter the Chinese market in January 2026.Due to unfamiliarity with the domestic responsible entity system,he initially wanted to declare by himself but was worried about the complex process.After Manager Pei from Zhongshen connected with him,the following work was done:

• Match a qualified domestic responsible entity and complete the filing;
• Supplement the animal and plant-derived quarantine certificates for raw materials,adjust the Chinese description on the label (change "natural" to "derived from natural plants" to comply with the new Advertising Law);
• Complete the product traceability code registration in advance to ensure fast customs clearance after arrival at the port.

In the end,the brand completed all declarations before the product arrived at the port,and customs clearance took only 2 working days,7 days earlier than the customer’s expectation,saving nearly 2000 yuan in storage fees.

Summary: Core Value of Professional Agency

Imported cosmetics registration declaration involves multiple departments and links.The compliance requirements in 2026 are becoming stricter,and enterprises are prone to make mistakes when operating by themselves.With more than 20 years of industry experience,Zhongshen can help enterprises accurately match policies and complete declarations efficiently,not only shortening the cycle but also avoiding delays and fines caused by compliance issues,making it a reliable partner for imported cosmetics enterprises.