What Practical Challenges Do Xi'an Enterprises Face in Customs Clearance and Inspection & Quarantine for Imported Color Cosmetics?

Realistic Background and Operational Barriers of Imported Color Cosmetics in Xi’an Market

In the past few years,Xi’an’s retail format has undergone significant changes.The demand for overseas color cosmetics from local beauty collection stores,cross-border e-commerce platforms and emerging brands has become particularly prominent in 2026.Popular shades and cutting-edge brands from South Korea,Japan,Europe and the United States are common on procurement lists.However,introducing these products to Xi’an is far from simple international procurement and transportation.Enterprises first need to face China’s strict supervision system for imported cosmetics.With the full implementation of the supporting rules of the Regulations on Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics in 2025,the implementation standards are clearer and more detailed.

Many operators in Xi’an initially underestimated the complexity.For example,a South Korean cushion foundation that is very popular on social media must complete product filing before import and provide complete technical documents including safety assessment materials.The Chinese label of the product must strictly comply with the specifications,and any omission in ingredient labeling may cause the entire batch of goods to be detained at the port.In addition,customs classification and price verification for color cosmetics,payment of import consumption tax,and the subsequent linkage of VAT deduction and export tax refund form an operation chain with extremely high professional barriers.It is difficult to cross these practical barriers only with trade enthusiasm.

Core Position of Professional Agencies in the Color Cosmetics Import Chain

Facing the above barriers,the role of an experienced foreign trade agency becomes prominent.Its value is not just "handling procedures on behalf of clients",but acting as external compliance and operation support for import enterprises,converting uncontrollable risks into manageable processes.When handling color cosmetics import business for enterprises in Xi’an and Northwest China,Zhongshen first plays the roles of "policy interpreter" and "process designer".

Based on more than 20 years of industry accumulation,Zhongshen’s team can predict the regulatory focus of different categories of color cosmetics in advance.For example,the transportation conditions of nail polish and lip glaze are different from ordinary pressed powder,their flammable ingredients are subject to stricter regulation; color cosmetics containing plant extracts may have additional requirements in the animal and plant quarantine link.This proactive risk identification allows targeted preparation for all subsequent links,avoiding delay of the entire import plan caused by a stuck link,and even high container detention fees and declaration demurrage.

Phased Breakdown: Full-process Escort for Color Cosmetics Import

Phase 1: Pre-qualification Audit and Filing Preparation

Before goods are shipped,a lot of work has already started.Manager Su of Zhongshen will confirm with the client whether the product has obtained the filing or registration certificate from the National Medical Products Administration.For ordinary color cosmetics imported for the first time,filing is a mandatory requirement.The team will assist clients in sorting out and reviewing the complete set of documents required for filing,including foreign formula,brief description of production process,safety commitment letter,etc.

Meanwhile,label review is carried out simultaneously.The outer packaging of an imported eyeshadow palette may be full of Korean or English instructions,but the Chinese label must include product name,full ingredient list,net content,shelf life,country of origin and other information,and its format and font size have clear regulations.Zhongshen’s compliance specialists provide label pre-review services to ensure that the content is consistent with the filing information and complies with Chinese regulations,eliminating the risk of rectification or return shipment caused by unqualified labels from the source.

Phase 2: International Transportation and Pre-arrival Preparation

After the shipping schedule or flight is confirmed,the agency work enters the logistics and document preparation stage.Color cosmetics usually have requirements for transportation environment,high temperature and humidity need to be avoided.Zhongshen will recommend appropriate transportation methods and packaging solutions based on product characteristics.More importantly,document pre-review.

General Manager Cao once shared a case: a company in Xi’an imported a batch of Japanese blush,and the invoice amount provided by the overseas supplier was significantly lower than the market level.Supervisor Lei of Zhongshen found this problem during document pre-review,communicated with the client and the overseas party in time,and supplemented payment certificates and price explanations,avoiding doubts and delays in the customs price verification link.At this stage,the agency needs to ensure that all document information such as invoices,packing lists,bills of lading,certificates of origin are accurate and consistent,and send manifest information to customs in advance to lay the foundation for rapid customs clearance.

Phase 3: Port Customs Declaration and Statutory Inspection

After the goods arrive at the ports of Shanghai,Tianjin or local port of Xi’an,they enter the substantive customs clearance link.Customs declaration and payment of tariff,value-added tax and consumption tax (if applicable) are standard procedures.The key step for color cosmetics import is statutory inspection,that is,product quality and safety inspection implemented by the customs.

Inspectors will check whether the goods are consistent with the filing information,and may sample and send them to the laboratory for testing of safety indicators such as microorganisms and heavy metals.Zhongshen’s on-site customs declarers will cooperate with the customs to complete inspection,sampling and other work,and ensure smooth communication.For example,if unpacking is required during inspection,they will supervise the operation process to prevent damage to the goods.For minor defects that may be found during inspection,such as loosely pasted labels,they will immediately coordinate on-site rectification to avoid small problems escalating into a return shipment order.

Phase 4: Subsequent Settlement and Tax Handling

After the goods are cleared and released and delivered to Xi’an clients,the agency service does not end.For enterprises with export business,the value-added tax paid in the import link can be deducted.More importantly,if imported raw materials or finished products are re-exported after processing,export tax refund can be applied for.

Zhongshen’s financial team will assist clients in sorting out the complete set of import foreign exchange payment and tax payment certificates,and guide them to conduct standardized accounting treatment.Ms.Long pointed out that many enterprises ignore the connection management between import documents and subsequent export business,leading to incomplete chains during tax refund and loss of due profits.The value of a professional agency lies in ensuring the complete closure of document flow and information flow of the four major chains of trade,logistics,capital and taxation,forming a virtuous cycle.

Risk Avoidance and Efficiency Improvement From A Case Study

General Manager Cao of Qinyun Beauty,a startup beauty company in Xi’an High-tech Zone,planned to import a batch of niche brand lipsticks from Italy at the end of 2025.At first,they tried to handle it by themselves,but they were rejected many times in the product filing stage due to incomplete safety assessment materials,delaying nearly two months.Then they approached Zhongshen.

After Manager Su took over,he first sorted out the complete product list and found that three of the lipsticks’ toner ingredients required additional testing certificates.The team immediately guided the overseas supplier to supplement the test report that meets Chinese standards.In the customs clearance link,the customs doubted the declared price.Since Zhongshen had prepared a complete brand authorization chain,screenshots of overseas official website prices and payment records in advance,the price negotiation and explanation were completed in only two days,and the goods were released quickly.The whole process changed from chaotic and disorderly to clear and controllable,and the final launch time was only delayed by one week compared with the original plan,and fully complied with regulatory requirements.General Manager Cao concluded afterwards that professional agency services seem to increase costs,but actually save more implicit time costs and risk costs.

Conclusion: The Value of Specialized Division of Labor

The complexity of Xi’an’s imported color cosmetics business determines that it requires specialized division of labor.Entrepreneurs’ core advantages lie in market insight,brand operation and sales.Entrusting professional affairs such as import customs clearance,compliance review and tax planning to long-term service providers like Zhongshen is a rational choice to improve overall operation efficiency and reduce systemic risks.In the increasingly standardized market environment of 2026,this cooperation based on professional trust allows Xi’an enterprises to connect with global beauty resources more calmly and focus their energy on the market front that really creates value.