How to export skincare to China

File ordinary skincare before import

Skincare creams, lotions and serums normally follow the ordinary cosmetics route: file with NMPA before import through a designated mainland legal-person company. Check the claims first: whitening, spot removal, sun protection or a new efficacy puts a cosmetic in the special category. Ordinary cosmetics require filing rather than registration. Plan for months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides the outcome. For hair treatments, see our guide to exporting hair perms to China. For sunscreen, see our guide to exporting sunscreen to China.

HMRC recorded £56.3m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 330499 in 2025 (2024: £52.7m, +6.8%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £19.9m. January to July 2026: £36.5m against £31.7m in the same months of 2025 (+14.9%). This code also covers sunscreen, whitening, hair-loss prevention and face make-up products, so these are not skincare-only totals.

Build border taxes into your wholesale price

Chinese tariff line 33049900 has an MFN duty rate of 1%. The standard import VAT rate is 13%, calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus any applicable consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these creams. These charges add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer your brand.

Prepare labels the importer can accept

Imported skincare can carry a directly printed Chinese label or an added Chinese sticker; the sticker’s content must match the original label. Give your mainland responsible person the original packaging and proposed Chinese artwork for review. The importer must check filing or registration status and compliance with mandatory national standards and technical specifications, and must refuse import if that check fails.

Arrange the UK export declaration

Classify the creams under the correct UK commodity code before dispatch; HS6 330499 is the starting classification, not a substitute for checking the export code. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales need a GB EORI and an online export declaration. Give the declarant the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details and invoice and packing-list references. The carrier needs the invoice and any required export licences or certificates.

Consider cross-border retail for a first route

The cross-border retail import list includes 33049900, skincare and other beauty products. Its entry excludes goods in the prohibited-import catalogue, seventh batch. It also excludes goods listed in the wildlife import and export species catalogue when the specified certificate confirming a species outside that catalogue cannot be provided. Check the proposed formula and ingredients against these exclusions before choosing this route.

Listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles, without first-import licensing, registration or filing requirements, except for suspended epidemic-area goods or emergency quality and safety risk handling. Consumers must accept a risk notice before ordering, including possible differences from Chinese standards and the personal-use restriction. These purchases cannot be resold; a Chinese electronic label may be viewed online.

The overseas cross-border business retains primary responsibility for product quality and safety. It must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability. The retail limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 per person annually. Select a partner that can explain how your skincare orders will operate within these conditions.

Find and check your Chinese sales partner

Before agreeing a skincare order, establish which route the buyer intends to use and who will handle filing, label review and import checks.

If a Chinese importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange this work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China and check the work with those partners. The importer of record and the required responsible person or cross-border e-commerce agent remain with licensed partners in China; your brand’s own filings remain your brand’s.