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Customs clearance of cosmetics, beauty and skincare
For time and cost estimates of cosmetics and personal care clearance, contact the Saba Tarkhis experts.
Instant free consultation1) Types of cosmetics with tariff codes (HS Code)
Moisturizing and anti-wrinkle creams: tariff code 33049900
Sunscreens: tariff code 33049900
Face masks: tariff code 33049900
Skin lotions: tariff code 33049900
Foundation: tariff code 33049900
Concealer: tariff code 33049900
Face powders (compact powder): tariff code 33049110
Blush: tariff code 33049110
Mascara: tariff code 33042000
Eyeshadow: tariff code 33042000
Eyeliner: tariff code 33042000
Eyebrow pencil: tariff code 33042000
Lipstick: tariff code 33041000
Lip pencil: tariff code 33042000
Lip balm: tariff code 33049900
Nail polish: tariff code 33043000
Nail strengtheners: tariff code 33043000
Nail polish remover: tariff code 33043000
Perfumes: tariff code 33030000
Body deodorant sprays: tariff code 33030000
Eau de toilette and eau de parfum: tariff code 33030000
Shampoo: tariff code 33051000
Hair conditioner: tariff code 33051000
Hair dye: tariff code 33059000
Hair gel and mousse (styling): tariff code 33059000
Toilet soaps: tariff code 34011100
Hand sanitizing gels: tariff code 33049900
Sanitary wet wipes: tariff code 33049900
Toothpaste: tariff code 33061000
Mouthwash: tariff code 33061000
Nail strengtheners and protective solutions: tariff code 33043000
2) Key points in cosmetics and personal care clearance
3) Special conditions for importing cosmetics and personal care
1. Importing international brands
Famous international brands such as Dior, L’Oréal, Clinique, Nivea and other reputable names require specific permits for import. Requirements include obtaining official authorization from the brand owner and full compliance with Intellectual Property Rights. Importing companies must ensure they hold the official distribution and sales authorization. Products imported under global brands must also have certificates of authenticity and health/quality certificates from the country of origin.
2. Importing organic products
Organic cosmetics and personal care products, free from harmful chemicals and produced according to natural agriculture/production principles, require special international endorsements. Importers must obtain valid organic certifications from international bodies. Some of these include USDA Organic, COSMOS Organic and Ecocert. These certificates ensure the products are produced and supplied according to global standards.
4) Countries exporting cosmetics to Iran
Iran is one of the largest consumer markets for cosmetics and personal care in the Middle East, and imports come from various countries worldwide. The main exporting countries to Iran include:
France: One of the largest exporters of cosmetics to Iran. Well-known brands such as L’Oréal, Yves Rocher and Dior have many fans in Iran.
Germany: High-quality brands such as Nivea, Escada and other cosmetic and personal care products are exported from this country to Iran.
South Korea: Owing to notable innovation in skincare, Korean products—including brands like Innisfree and Laneige—are highly popular in the Iranian market.
Türkiye and China: These two countries, especially due to competitive pricing, are among the main suppliers of cosmetics and personal care products to Iran.
5) Export of cosmetics and personal care
In recent years, Iran has managed to enter international markets for exporting cosmetics and personal care. Neighboring countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Oman are among the main importers of these Iranian products. Thanks to reasonable prices and acceptable quality, Iranian products have secured a strong position in these markets.
6) Volume of cosmetics and personal care imports and exports to/from Iran
Imports of cosmetics and personal care to Iran have grown significantly each year. According to statistics, billions of dollars’ worth of cosmetics and personal care products enter Iran annually. These imports mainly come from European and Asian countries and include international brands and products manufactured in developed countries. On the other hand, exports to neighboring and regional markets have also grown considerably. In recent years, the value of Iran’s cosmetics and personal care exports has reached several million dollars, and Iran is becoming a serious player in regional markets.
7) Global market turnover for cosmetics and personal care
The global cosmetics and personal care market is highly prosperous. Based on statistics, the global market size for these products was estimated at around USD 500 billion by 2023 and is expected to exceed USD 750 billion by 2026. The United States, China, Japan, South Korea, France and Germany are among the largest consumer markets. Growing demand for beauty and care products—especially in Asia and the Middle East—has further boosted this industry.
8) Major global exporters and importers
France: France is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cosmetics and personal care. Famous brands such as Chanel, L’Oréal and Lancôme are exported from this country.
Germany: With high-quality brands like Nivea and Schwarzkopf, Germany ranks among the top exporters.
South Korea: Thanks to modern innovation in beauty and skincare, South Korea has become one of the largest exporters of cosmetics.
United States: American brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique and Revlon also hold a large share of global exports.
The United States, China and Japan are also recognized as major global importers.
9) Specialized steps for clearing cosmetics and personal care
- Order registration: All imports must be registered in the Comprehensive Trade System. Information about the goods, country of origin and import volume must be entered in this portal.
- Obtaining health and standards permits: All cosmetics and personal care products require health permits from the Ministry of Health and standards certificates from the National Standards Organization.
- Submitting required documents: Documents such as the health certificate, certificate of origin, transport documents and the Persian label must be provided.
- Quality and authenticity verification: Oversight bodies examine product quality and authenticity and confirm compliance with sanitary standards.
- Payment of customs duties: Based on the designated tariff, the importer must pay customs duties and value-added tax.
- Goods release: After completing the above steps and document approval, the goods are cleared from customs and delivered to the importer.
10) Documents required for clearing cosmetics and personal care
The first step for importing any goods is to register the order in the Comprehensive Trade System. This order includes full product information such as brand name, type, quantity, value, country of origin and other relevant details. This step is a mandatory prerequisite to initiate the customs clearance process.
All imported cosmetics and personal care products must obtain health approvals from the Ministry of Health. This permit guarantees that the imported goods comply with sanitary and safety standards and are safe for public use. Some items such as skincare creams, sunscreens and similar products may require more specialized approvals.
Imported cosmetics and personal care items must be approved by the National Standards Organization of Iran. This certificate shows that imports meet national criteria and are of acceptable quality. This is especially important for high-consumption, daily-use products.
A key document in the clearance process, issued by the Chamber of Commerce in the country of origin, confirming where the imported goods were produced and shipped. This prevents fraud or illegal imports.
The Commercial Invoice is a key document containing details such as price, payment terms, seller and buyer information and transaction details. It helps customs determine the goods’ value and calculate duties accordingly.
Issued by the carrier, it includes shipment details, vessel or transport means, destination and loading date. It is essential for handing over the goods to customs and clearing them, and allows the importer to track the shipment.
One of the most important documents for cosmetics and personal care imports, issued by sanitary authorities in the origin country, confirming the products were produced under proper sanitary conditions and are safe for human use.
A document listing exact contents of each package, weights, dimensions and specifications. It helps customs verify goods and match them with other documents such as the Commercial Invoice.
For some cosmetics and personal care products, the importer must obtain an import license from relevant bodies such as the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. This shows customs that the import complies with national regulations.
All imported cosmetics and personal care items must have a Persian label including product name, country of origin, manufacturing and expiry dates, ingredients and the sanitary permit number. This labeling is essential for consumer information and compliance with national rules.
For some hygiene products that directly contact skin or the human body, a non-infectious certificate is mandatory. It confirms the product is free from microbial or pathogenic contamination and is safe to use.
For products containing chemicals, a chemical compliance certificate is required. It confirms that the chemical composition complies with national and international safety and sanitary standards.
Cosmetics and personal care items are supervised by the Food and Drug Organization, and imports require an operation license or import permit from this authority. This ensures the goods are approved in terms of health and national standards.
For some specific products, a laboratory test report may be required to show the product is approved for quality, safety and compliance with sanitary standards. This may be issued after tests in the origin country or in Iran.
Need precise HS Code determination, permits and document preparation? Our team manages the process end to end.
Submit proforma requestFrequently Asked Questions
Which documents are mandatory for importing cosmetics?
Order registration, health permit, standards certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list and a Persian label compliant with regulations.
What limitations apply to international brands?
Obtaining official authorization from the brand owner, complying with IP rights, and providing certificates of authenticity and sanitary documents from the country of origin.
Do organic products have additional requirements?
Yes. Valid organic certificates such as USDA, COSMOS and Ecocert are required to verify authenticity and production method.
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Summary and call to action
Importing and clearing cosmetics and personal care is a precise, sensitive process requiring sanitary permits, authenticity certificates, standards approvals and shipping documents. With hands-on experience, Saba Tarkhis accelerates your process in full compliance with regulations.
Request expert consultation Get a clearance proformaSpecial clearance services by Saba Brokerage
With years of experience in clearing cosmetics and personal care products, Saba Brokerage offers comprehensive, tailored services so your imports proceed quickly, legally and without issues. Key services include:
Expert consulting: Our specialist team guides you in choosing suitable brands and products and provides all information needed to select the best items.
Order registration and permits: All processes related to order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System and obtaining health permits and required standards from relevant bodies are handled by our professional team—removing concerns about delays or administrative issues.
Quality and authenticity control: Imports are thoroughly checked for quality and authenticity. This includes verifying health certificates, compliance with national/international standards and confirming product authenticity to ensure high quality.
Fast, optimized clearance: Leveraging our expertise, we complete customs clearance in the shortest possible time. All steps are followed precisely under the latest customs rules so goods are delivered without delay.
Legal and financial follow-up: If any legal or financial issues arise during import and clearance, our legal/finance team resolves them so you can complete the process with peace of mind.
By ensuring full compliance with customs and sanitary regulations, we guarantee professional, optimized clearance so your cosmetics and personal care products reach the market swiftly and accurately.
