CDSCO
Registering imported cosmetics with CDSCO
No cosmetic may be imported into India unless the brand and its variants are registered with the Central Licensing Authority. We run that registration end to end.
- Authority
- Central Licensing Authority, CDSCO
- Governing rules
- Cosmetics Rules, 2020 made under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- Typical timeline
- 3 to 6 months from a complete dossier
- Government fees
- As notified in the Second Schedule to the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, indicatively USD 2,000 per category plus USD 50 per variant. We confirm the current schedule before filing.
CDSCO Cosmetics Import Registration: what it involves
Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, cosmetics cannot be imported into India until they are registered with the Central Licensing Authority. The application is made in Form COS-1 by the manufacturer, or by an authorised agent, importer or subsidiary in India, and the registration certificate is granted in Form COS-2.
A registration covers a brand along with the categories and variants declared in the application, so the way you structure the application has a direct effect on both the fee and how easily you can add products later. Two other requirements catch importers out regularly: India prohibits the import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals, and every imported pack must carry the mandatory Indian declarations before it clears customs.
Who needs this
- Overseas cosmetic brands entering the Indian market
- Indian importers and distributors of foreign cosmetic brands
- Subsidiaries importing from a parent company overseas
- Brands adding new variants or shades to an existing registration
- E-commerce sellers importing cosmetics for retail in India
Documentation
Documents required
Arrange these and the file moves. We tell you exactly which format each one has to be in, and we draft the technical annexures ourselves.
- Application in Form COS-1 with the prescribed fee
- Power of attorney from the overseas manufacturer to the Indian agent, duly notarised or apostilled
- Free Sale Certificate or equivalent from the country of origin
- Manufacturing licence of the overseas manufacturer
- Full product composition with percentage of each ingredient
- Specification and testing protocol for the finished product
- Label and pack artwork for every variant
- Product pack insert and directions for use
- Non-animal testing declaration
- Undertaking that the product complies with the Cosmetics Rules, 2020
- Details of the Indian importer or authorised agent with their licence position
- Schedule of brands, categories and variants covered by the application
How we work
The process, stage by stage
Indicative durations for a file where documents arrive on time. We tell you at the outset which stage is most likely to slip in your case.
- 1
Agent structure and brand mapping
5 to 10 daysWe confirm who will hold the registration in India, then map brands, categories and variants into the structure that minimises fee exposure while leaving room for future launches.
- 2
Overseas document collection
2 to 6 weeksWe give the manufacturer a precise list with the exact legalisation each document needs. Missing apostilles are the most common reason import registrations stall.
- 3
Dossier compilation and label review
2 to 3 weeksComposition, specifications, testing protocols and artwork are compiled into the CDSCO format, and labels are checked against Indian declaration requirements before submission.
- 4
Filing with the Central Licensing Authority
2 to 3 daysThe Form COS-1 application is filed with the prescribed fee and tracked against its reference number.
- 5
Query resolution and grant of COS-2
2 to 5 monthsWe respond to queries raised by the reviewing officer and follow the file through to the grant of the registration certificate in Form COS-2.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I import a small trial shipment without registration?
No. Import of unregistered cosmetics is not permitted for commercial purposes. Limited quantities for specified non-commercial purposes such as examination, test or analysis follow a separate permission route under the Cosmetics Rules and cannot be sold.
Does one registration cover the whole brand?
A registration covers the brand along with the categories and variants specifically declared in the application. Adding a new variant later requires the registration to be updated, which is why the initial mapping matters.
Are animal-tested cosmetics allowed?
No. India prohibits both the testing of cosmetics on animals and the import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. A declaration to that effect forms part of the application.
Who is responsible if a registered product is found non-compliant?
The Indian authorised agent or importer named in the registration carries regulatory responsibility, which is why the appointment and the power of attorney need to be drafted carefully rather than copied from a template.
Related services
Often taken together with this
Cosmetics Import Licence & Compliance
Everything after registration: agent appointment, Indian labelling, consignment documentation and customs readiness.
Typical timeline · 2 to 4 weeks for labelling and consignment readiness, once registered
Read moreCosmetics Manufacturing Licence (Form COS-5 to COS-8)
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Typical timeline · 2 to 5 months including facility readiness
Read moreCDSCO Licensing Overview
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Typical timeline · Varies by route, from 45 days to 9 months
Read moreTell us what you are manufacturing. We will tell you what you need.
Share your product category, premises and turnover. You will get a written scope covering the exact licences that apply, the documents to arrange, and a realistic timeline.