Body Care Personal Products Import Clearance Guide for China
With increasing consumer focus on health and personal care, the demand for body care products such as shower gels, body lotions, and hand creams is rising in China. These products must comply with China’s customs clearance regulations and meet the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) requirements before entering the market.
This article will explain the import clearance process, common compliance issues, and required documentation for importing body care products into China.
一. Product Classification & Regulatory Requirements
| Product Type | Examples | Regulatory Requirements | HS Code |
| Shower Gel | Moisturizing, fragrance shower gel | General cosmetic/consumer goods | 3401110000 |
| Body Lotion | Hydrating body lotion | General cosmetic/consumer goods | 3304990000 |
| Hand Cream | Nourishing hand cream | General cosmetic/consumer goods | 3304990000 |
二. Import Procedure
1. Filing & Registration
Products claiming any functional effect (like antibacterial or medical claims) need to be filed or registered:
- General Cosmetics: (e.g., shower gel, body lotion, hand cream) require NMPA filing, submitting ingredient lists and label samples.
- Special-use Cosmetics (such as products claiming “repair” or “antibacterial”) require special-use cosmetic registration, which may take longer and need clinical verification or safety reports.
2. Documentation
- Basic documents: invoice, packing list, contract, and ingredient/material list.
- Label Samples: Must include product name, origin, ingredients, usage instructions, expiration date, and warnings in Chinese.
3. Customs Declaration & Inspection
- Declare under the correct HS Code, and ensure compliance with Chinese regulations.
- Inspection: Customs may perform spot checks to ensure the products meet national standards and hygiene requirements.
4. Release & Warehousing
After clearance, the products are allowed to enter the warehouse and be distributed.
三. Common Compliance Issues & Solutions
| Issue Type | Wrong Practice | Correct Approach |
| Label Issues | Incomplete labels, missing manufacturing or expiration dates | Ensure the Chinese label is complete with all required information |
| Claim Issues | Shower gel claiming “repair” without proper registration | Register as a special-use cosmetic and get approval |
| Ingredient Issues | Using non-compliant fragrances or preservatives | Follow GB/T 29664 standards to ensure ingredient compliance |
四. How Logistics Providers Can Help
- Document Review: Assist in organizing complete declaration and filing documents.
- Label Review: Provide pre-screening for Chinese labels to ensure compliance.
- Customs Clearance: Offer rapid clearance solutions to avoid delays caused by labeling or document issues.
- Safe Transport: Ensure safe transport of products, especially those with high-risk chemical ingredients.
2023 Case Study:
We successfully assisted a global brand in importing 5 types of shower gels and body lotions, ensuring 100% compliance with our complete document review and label optimization services. The average clearance time was 8 working days.
