Importing cosmetics into the EU

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The importation of a finished cosmetic product as defined under Art. 1 of Council Directive 76/768 of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products("Cosmetics Directive") into the EU is subject to a number of legal requirements, some of which are listed below.

In particular:

  • this information refers only to the finished cosmetic product as defined in Art. 1 of the Cosmetics Directive. The list does not apply to the importation of raw-materials and starting materials;
  • this information is of a general nature only and is not intended to address the specific circumstances;
  • this information is a non-exhaustive list of legal requirements, which is not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date;
  • the legal instruments listed here are mostly Directives, which are addressed to Member States who, in turn, transpose them into national law. It is therefore indispensable to also verify the national transposing laws;
  • it cannot be guaranteed that a document available on-line reproduces exactly an officially adopted text. Only European Union legislation published in paper editions of the Official Journal of the European Union is deemed authentic.

Rules of origin, import tariffs, VAT, excise duties and customs documents

Please refer to the database " expanding export helpdesk" generated by Directorate-General TRADE.

Notification to competent authority

The Cosmetics Directive requires in Art. 7a(4): "The [...] person responsible for placing imported cosmetic products on the Community market, shall notify the competent authority of the Member State of the place [...] of the initial importation of the address [...] of initial importation into the Community of the cosmetic products before the latter are placed on the Community market."

We advise you to contact the competent authority of the EU-Member State of initial importation in order to obtain further information on the notification requirement.

Keeping of safety-file readily available for control purposes with the responsible person established within the Community

The Cosmetics Directive requires in Art. 7a(1) that "the person responsible for placing an imported cosmetic product on the Community market shall for control purposes keep the information [listed in Art. 7a (a) - (h)] readily accessible to the competent authorities of the Member State concerned at the address specified on the label in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a)." Art. 6 (1)1 (a) requires inter alia the following information labelled on the container and packaging: "[…] the name or style and the address or registered office of the person responsible for marketing the cosmetic product who is established within the Community".

Permitted/restricted ingredients, packaging and labelling

For these aspects, please refer to the web page on other EU-legislation applicable to cosmetic products.

Last update: 13/07/2010 | Top