On this page
- CDSCO Registration
- Who Needs to Register
- Role of an Authorised Indian Agent
- Form COS-1 and Form COS-2
- Documents Required for Registration
- Manufacturing Site Registration
- Step-by-Step Registration Process
- CDSCO Fee for Foreign Cosmetic Manufacturers
- Registration Timeline
- Compliance Requirements After Registration
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Conclusion
The registration of a foreign cosmetic manufacturer in India is the initial step that any foreign brand needs to take if it wants to get its product lines into the Indian market. The Indian market is one of the most dynamic markets in the world when it comes to beauty and personal care products, which is why a lot of international brands would like to get in there. Before a single lipstick, cream, or shampoo gets imported into the country, the CDSCO registration is mandatory.
CDSCO Registration
The CDSCO regulates the imports of cosmetics into India based on the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules of 2020. All the cosmetics entering into India have to be manufactured at the registered manufacturing facility, and the products themselves should be registered as well.
Thus, indeed, CDSCO registration is required for foreign manufacturers of cosmetics. Otherwise, your shipments will be refused by Indian customs and selling unregistered products could result in seizing and fining. Being registered is also the proof of reliability. This shows Indian importers and consumers that your products satisfy all the required criteria regarding quality and safety.
Who Needs to Register
Any company outside India that makes cosmetics and wants them imported into India needs to register. This includes:
- Brand owners who get their products made at their own factory
- Manufacturers who make products for other brands
- Foreign companies supplying cosmetics to India through local distributors or online platforms.
Cosmetics cover a wide range of products used on the skin, hair, nails, lips and teeth, as well as perfumes and everyday items such as soaps, shampoos, face creams and makeup.
Foreign brands planning to enter India can also explore this guide to importing cosmetics from China and Korea to India for additional information about the import requirements.
Role of an Authorised Indian Agent
It cannot be done independently by the foreign cosmetics manufacturer. There should be an authorized Indian agent appointed by the cosmetics manufacturer who is licensed to sell the cosmetic products in India. The agent applies for the registration on behalf of the cosmetics manufacturer and keeps on fulfilling the responsibilities for the imported products.
He/she will act as a link between you and CDSCO and will handle all the queries and documentation related matters for you. Choosing the wrong agent might prove to be problematic for you. Choose one who has some experience in cosmetics laws. There must be an authorization or power of attorney signed between the two.
Form COS-1 and Form COS-2
These two forms confuse many first-time applicants, so here is the simple difference.
Form COS-1: The Indian agent files it with CDSCO to request registration of the foreign manufacturing site and its cosmetic products.
Form COS-2: Once CDSCO checks your application and documents and is satisfied, it issues the certificate in this form. This certificate is what allows your cosmetics to be imported into India.
In simple terms, COS-1 is the application form while COS-2 is the registration certificate issued after approval.
Documents Required for Registration
Make sure your documents are complete and accurate before applying, as missing or unclear information can lead to delays. The documents generally include:
- Covering letter and completed application in Form COS-1
- Power of attorney or authorisation letter in favour of the Indian agent
- Manufacturing licence or an equivalent document from the home country’s authority
- Free sale certificate or a document showing the products are sold in the country of origin
- GMP certificate or proof of quality standards, such as ISO 22716
- Details of the manufacturing site, including its name and address
- List of cosmetic products and brand names to be imported
- Details of ingredients and product labels
- Valid licence and details of the Indian agent
- Payment challan for the fee
For additional information, refer to our guide on CDSCO registration for imported cosmetics, including documents, fees and timelines.
Documents prepared outside India may need to be notarised or attested, depending on the country.
Manufacturing Site Registration
The people believe that only the product has to get approval. But the first thing that gets preference is the facility itself. The CDSCO wants to find out about the place where the cosmetic is being produced and the process of production. This will confirm that the facility meets the standard of good manufacturing practices.
If you have many facilities producing your products in India, then all of these have to be registered. Hence, if you wish to move your manufacture to a different facility, then you should register yourself at the new facility. The failure to register your facility is one of the common mistakes.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Here is how the process usually goes:
- Appoint an Indian agent- Choose a licensed and experienced agent and sign the authorization.
- Collect documents- Prepare all the manufacturer and product documents listed above.
- Create the application- The agent fills Form COS-1 on the SUGAM portal of CDSCO and uploads the documents.
- Pay the fee- The fee is paid online through the portal.
- Review by CDSCO- Officials check the application. If something is missing, they raise a query that must be answered on time.
- Receive Form COS-2- After approval, the registration certificate is issued, and you can begin importing.
Once registered, the agent can proceed with the import process for each shipment, and customs will check the registration details.
CDSCO Fee for Foreign Cosmetic Manufacturers
The government fee is charged in US dollars. As per the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, it is generally about USD 2,000 for each manufacturing site, plus around USD 50 for each cosmetic product. So the total depends on how many products you want to register.
Fees and rules can be revised, so always check the latest amount on the official CDSCO portal before paying. Also remember that professional service charges of your agent or consultant are separate from the government fee.
Registration Timeline
The time schedule for registering is not fixed. The time that will be taken depends on the completeness of your documentation as well as how quickly you can provide answers to the queries raised by the CDSCO. Generally, this whole process may take weeks to even months. Adequate documentation, correct product details, and prompt replies to CDSCO’s queries can help to avoid such delays.
One should start with the registration in advance. If you intend to bring a product to the market in India, then you should not wait for the shipment to arrive first before registering.
Compliance Requirements After Registration
Getting Form COS-2 is not the end of your responsibility.
- Labeling: Every cosmetic product must have the necessary information printed on it, including the name of the cosmetic product, its composition, net weight, name and address of the manufacturer/importer, batch number, and date of manufacture/expiry date.
- Cosmetics safety: The imported cosmetics must be safe according to the Indian safety standards and must not include any banned components.
- Records: The Indian agent should keep import records and be ready for inspection.
- Changes: Any change in the site, product list or agent should be informed to CDSCO.
- Renewal and retention: Pay the required retention fee on time to keep your registration active and valid.
Following these requirements helps you avoid compliance issues and maintain a trusted presence in the Indian market.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Importing before receiving Form COS-2
- Choosing an inexperienced Indian agent
- Submitting incomplete or unattested documents
- Ignoring labelling rules
- Not informing CDSCO about changes
- Delaying replies to queries
Avoiding these simple mistakes can save weeks of effort and money.
Conclusion
The registration process of foreign cosmetic manufacturers in India may seem lengthy at the outset, but the process actually gets simplified once you understand how it is done. Appoint an efficient agent, keep the documents ready, submit the application using Form COS-1 and obtain Form COS-2. Comply after registration and your cosmetic product range will enter the Indian market easily and safely.
To get professional assistance for your documents, application and approval processes, contact Certilize for everything related to Import of Cosmetics Licence.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CDSCO registration mandatory for foreign cosmetic manufacturers?
Yes. It is impossible to bring cosmetics to India without registering the manufacturing company and cosmetics in the CDSCO.
Is it required to have an Indian representative for a foreign cosmetic manufacturer?
Yes. It is mandatory for the foreign cosmetic manufacturer to appoint an authorized Indian representative who has the license for that.
What is Form COS-1?
It is the registration application form used for registration of a foreign manufacturing company and cosmetics.
What is Form COS-2?
It is the registration certificate issued by the CDSCO. It gives permission to import cosmetics to India.
Is it required to register a manufacturing facility for the imported cosmetics?
Yes. All imported cosmetics must be manufactured at registered manufacturing facilities and each manufacturing facility that exports to India must have its registration.
How long will registration take?
Registration usually takes several weeks up to several months.
