On 1 February 2012, Measures for the Inspection, Quarantine and Supervision of Imported and Exported Cosmetics (AQSIQ Order No.143-2011), promulgated by AQSIQ, has brought into force and been regarded as the basic and overarching regulation concerning the supervision over imported and exported cosmetics in China.

In an attempt to implement it more effectively and guarantee the safety and quality of cosmetics, AQSIQ has now released Announcement 110 to stress the safety evaluation information about cosmetics.

• Before application of inspection for the imported cosmetics, the consignee is obliged to perform record-filing with the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

• For cosmetics imported for the first time, which do not have a hygiene license or record keeping certificate, the consignee is required to submit safety evaluation information issued by manufactures or authorities, including product safety commitment, hazard identification table of safety risk substances in cosmetics, etc.

• For imported duty-free cosmetics, the safety evaluation information contains a product safety commitment, certification documents that permit the production and sale of the imported products at overseas and so on.

• Imported cosmetics for R&D and trial need a self-declaration that normal use of the products will not cause damage to human health.

• In the case of cosmetics exported for the first time, hygiene license and production license need submitting. If applicants cannot provide hygiene license document for special use cosmetics, they shall offer relevant safety evaluation documents that indicate whether there are safety risk substances in cosmetics instead, including a self-declaration that the product complies with relevant legal requirements of the importing country/district and normal use of the product will not cause damage to human health.

If your products are imported through Shanghai port, Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has issued specific must-know for the inspection of imported trade cosmetics as well as inspection notice for imported cosmetic samples, which will be also instructive and helpful.