Importing from China
China makes cosmetics and perfume of every kind — make-up, skincare, colognes, toiletries — at very competitive prices. But it is one of the most regulated products you can import: in the EU it is governed by the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, which requires a Responsible Person in the EU and notification on the CPNP portal before you sell. And there is a key logistics detail: perfume is dangerous goods (flammable). Here is how it ships, what happens at customs and the critical points.
The usual route is sea freight: a full container (FCL) or groupage (LCL) by quantity, for make-up, creams and non-flammable toiletries. Air is reserved for launches or urgent samples, as it adds a lot of cost. Mind temperature and packing: creams and emulsions suffer in the heat of the crossing, and glass (bottles) needs good chocking.
Perfume and cologne are a different matter: they contain alcohol and are class 3 dangerous goods (flammable liquid, UN1266). They cannot go in passenger-aircraft groupage, and sea handling needs a declaration, approved packaging and UN labelling. In practice perfume travels in a dedicated full container (FCL), not mixed into a normal consolidation. If your order includes perfumery, tell us so we can treat it as dangerous goods.
Cosmetics are classified under chapter 33: perfumes and toilet waters HS 3303, make-up and skincare 3304, hair products 3305, oral hygiene 3306, shaving, deodorants and bath 3307. Import duty into the EU is usually low (roughly 0 %–3 % depending on the heading — confirm it). Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI.
What really rules is not the duty but the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Before you market in the EU you need a Responsible Person established in the EU, a Product Information File (PIF) with a safety assessment, compliant labelling (INCI ingredients, PAO/expiry, batch, function) and a notification on the CPNP portal. Customs may not ask for it, but without it the product is illegal to sell.
Every cosmetic sold in the EU needs a Responsible Person established in the EU and a prior notification on the CPNP portal. The Chinese manufacturer cannot be it: you must appoint one (your company or another) and notify before you sell.
Perfume and cologne are class 3 flammable liquids, UN1266. They cannot go in passenger-aircraft groupage; by sea they need a declaration, approved packaging and UN labelling, and in practice they travel in a dedicated FCL. Separate them from the rest of the order for transport.
EU labelling is strict: INCI ingredient list, country of origin, contents, batch, function, precautions and PAO/expiry date. The PIF with a safety assessment must also be available. Check the formula contains no ingredients banned or restricted in the EU.
Beyond the EU framework, some countries require their own health registration before importing cosmetics. Confirm with the destination-country authorities whether your product needs prior authorisation; it is a requirement that can hold up clearance.
Non-flammable cosmetics move by sea freight (FCL or groupage). If the order carries perfume or cologne, we treat it as dangerous goods in a dedicated container. Tell us what you are shipping and we will advise.
Note: duties and rules (Regulation 1223/2009, CPNP, dangerous-goods classification, health registrations) can change and depend on the exact product and the destination country. This guide describes the general situation at the time of writing; confirm it with your customs broker and a cosmetics expert before deciding.
Write with whatever you have —we'll ask for anything missing—. Only the email is required.
If you prefer, just email us four basics —what you're moving, how much, from where and to where— and we'll quote you as soon as possible. info [at] easychinashipping.com