Importing Beauty Products from China to the US: Full Guide

In my two decades of sourcing from China, I've seen the beauty industry explode—from niche Asian cosmetics to mainstay drugstore aisles. But importing makeup, skincare, and tools isn't like importing electronics or apparel. You're dealing with FDA regulations, strict labeling laws, and product safety standards that can trip up even seasoned importers. Here's what you need to know to avoid costly mistakes and get your products to market smoothly.

Importing beauty industry products from China – production areas

In terms of the products of the beauty industry, there is a large number of manufacturers in Guangdong. You can find them in cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. The biggest production hubs are also in Zhejiang Province (Yiwu, Yuyao, Ningbo) and Beijing. Production of such products is expected to rise in the near future.

Check manufacturers in:

• Guangzhou
• Shenzhen
• Qingdao
• Ningbo
• Jinhua
• Shanghai
• Dongguan.

Importing beauty industry products from China – trade fairs

Attending a trade show is a valuable experience for the importer. There you can find a business partner and get familiar with manufactured goods. Below is a list of fairs focused on products from the beauty industry held in China.

Shanghai Beauty Expo

• Location: Shanghai – National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, China
• Official website: chinainternationalbeauty.com/shen/index.html
• One of the biggest beauty trade shows in China.

China Beauty Expo

• Location: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Shanghai, China
• Official website: chinabeautyexpo.com
• The biggest beauty trade show in Asia, attracting around 500,000 participants.

Beijing Beauty Fair (Beijing Health & Cosmetic Expo)

• Location: Beijing – China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, China
• Official website: sdmbgj.com/beijing
• Besides beauty products and beauty tools, there are also maternity and baby care products.

China International Beauty Expo

• Location: Beijing – China National Convention Center (CNCC), Beijing, China
• Official website: cidbe.com
• The three main scopes of the CIBE are professional beauty, cosmetics, and raw materials & packaging.

Beauty & Wellness Expo

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
• Official website: m.hktdc.com/fair/hkbeautyexpo-en/HKTDC-Beauty—Wellness-Expo.html
• Beauty & Wellness Expo showcases:
  • beauty products and appliances
  • beauty & fitness services
  • cosmetics/skincare
  • fitness
  • hair and nail care products
  • perfume
  • elderly care product.

Natural & Organic Asia

• Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
• Official website: naturalproducts.com.hk/event
• Natural & Organic Asia is the leading trade platform for all things natural and organic, where companies focus on sustainability.

China International Beauty Expo (Guangzhou)

• Location: Guangzhou – China Import and Export Complex, Guangzhou, China
• Official website: chinainternationalbeauty.com/gz/index.html
• CIBE in Guangzhou has been an international trade fair for health and beauty since 1989.

Shanghai International Beauty Hairdressing and Cosmetics Expo

• Location: Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center
• Official website: meirongexpo.com/en/index.asp
• The scope of the fair includes:
  • beauty skin care products
  • cosmetics
  • hair products
  • make-up & perfumer
  • nail & tattoos
  • raw materials.

Importing beauty industry products from China – US duty

If you import, you should remember about the payment of due duties. The current rates of duty are in the HTS system. Don’t forget to check it before ordering goods. The list below presents selected goods of the beauty industry together with their codes and the corresponding amount of duty. The rates of duty are currently in force in the US.

• Perfumes and toilet waters: containing alcohol (3303.00.30) – 0%
• Lip make-up preparations (3304.10.00) – 0%
• Eye make-up preparations (3304.20.00) – 0%
• Manicure or pedicure preparations (3304.30.00) – 0%
• Powders, whether or not compressed (3304.91.00) – 0%
• Hair lacquers (3305.30.00) – 0%
• Yarn used to clean between the teeth (dental floss) (3306.20.00) – 0%
• Toothbrushes, including dental-plate brushes (9603.21.00) – 0%
• Shavers (8510.10.00) – 0%
• Bath salts, whether or not perfumed (3307.30.10) – 5.8%
• Personal deodorants and antiperspirants (3307.20.00) – 4.9%
• Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps (8539.50.00) – 2%

These are only examples. Because of the ongoing US-China trade war, some goods imported from China to the US are subject to an additional tariff. The 7.5% tariff applies to subheadings 3306.20.00 (dental floss), 9603.21.00 (toothbrush), 8510.10.00 (shavers), and 8539.50.00 (LED lamps). Aside from these four products, the 25% tariff applies to the rest of the listed goods. If the product has an existing 5.8% duty, the new rate would be 30.8% or 20.8%, depending on which special tariff is applied.

Importing beauty industry products from China – importer’s responsibilities (US)

We advise you not to do business with a supplier that was not verified as a dependable one. The necessary documents should be prepared and gathered for clearance formalities. The supplier can make the import declaration, or you can be the Importer of Record (IOR). If you are not a corporation, your importer number will be your Social Security Number.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the import of all cosmetics to the US market. The law does not require cosmetic products, personal care products, and ingredients to have FDA approval before they go on the market. However, some laws and regulations apply to cosmetics on the market in interstate commerce. Questions about the use of organic agricultural ingredients should be directed to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). All required label information on the product must be in English. Overall, ensure that your product complies with labeling requirements and US safety standards before importing to avoid being declined entry by US Customs. Be aware that cosmetics produced in China are tested on animals.

Before placing that first order, verify your supplier's credentials and have a third-party inspection done on your pilot run. At China-Check, we specialize in supplier verification, quality control, and factory inspections for beauty products—ensuring your shipments meet US safety and labeling requirements. Don't let a bad batch or compliance error ruin your launch; invest in due diligence upfront.