Nantong Agent Cosmetics Import Customs Clearance Full-process Compliance Operation Guide

Core Compliance Nodes of Nantong Cosmetics Import Customs Clearance

In 2026,the import scale of China’s domestic cosmetics market continues to expand.As a key hub undertaking beauty product imports on the northern wing of the Yangtze River Delta,Nantong Port’s customs clearance process compliance directly affects enterprises’ capital turnover and market layout.Different from ordinary goods imports,cosmetics imports go through multiple rounds of regulatory procedures,and the core nodes are mainly concentrated in the following three aspects:

• Domestic Responsible Person Filing: This is the precondition for cosmetics import,which needs to be completed 30 days before import.The filing entity must be an enterprise legally registered within Chinese territory,with corresponding business scope and quality control capabilities.The 2026 new regulation requires submitting quality control records of the latest 6 months when filing.
• Document Review and Ingredient Filing: Imported cosmetics need to provide Certificate of Origin,Free Sale Certificate,MSDS report,and Product Safety Assessment Report.Since 2026,the submission of Animal-test-free Certificate is newly required,and products imported from markets such as the European Union and the United States need to provide additional corresponding compliance certifications.
• Chinese Label Compliance: The outer packaging of products must conform to GB 7916-2023 Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics.The label content shall include product name,ingredients,manufacturer,information of the domestic import responsible person,etc.Nantong Port will focus on verifying the consistency between the label and the filed information during inspection.

Special Requirements for Cosmetics Inspection at Nantong Port

At the end of 2025,Nantong Port added a dedicated inspection area for cosmetics,equipped with professional ingredient testing equipment.High-risk cosmetics (such as sunscreen and whitening products) will be sampled for testing,and the testing cycle usually takes 3 to 5 days.Enterprises shall reserve sufficient time for testing in advance to avoid cargo detention caused by waiting for test results.

Policy Adjustments for Nantong Cosmetics Import Customs Clearance in 2026

In 2026,there are multiple adjustments to China’s domestic regulatory policies for cosmetics imports,which directly affect the customs clearance process at Nantong Port:

• Tariff Adjustment: Import tariffs on cosmetics from RCEP member states are further reduced.The tariff on sunscreen cosmetics from Japan and South Korea has been lowered from 5% to 2%.Enterprises shall check the Certificate of Origin in advance to ensure eligibility for preferential tariff rates.
• Anti-dumping Alert: In 2026,the European Union imposes 12%-18% anti-dumping duties on some cosmetics products originating in China.When handling cosmetics imported from the EU at Nantong Port,it is required to verify in advance whether the products are included in the taxation list to avoid additional costs.
• Paperless Declaration Upgrade: Nantong Port has fully realized electronic declaration of cosmetics import documents.Enterprises can submit filing information in advance through the "Single Window" to shorten on-site review time.

Practical Case: Customs Clearance Pitfall Avoidance Experience of a Beauty Enterprise in Nantong

In March 2026,a beauty trading company in Nantong imported a batch of sunscreen cosmetics from Japan,and entrusted a local ordinary freight forwarder to handle customs clearance.As the freight forwarder failed to assist in completing the Domestic Responsible Person Filing in advance and verify whether the products had the Animal-test-free Certificate,the goods were detained at the port for 3 days,resulting in nearly RMB 20,000 demurrage fees.

Afterwards,the enterprise contacted Zhongshitong to take over the handling,and our operation process is as follows:

• Complete the Domestic Responsible Person Filing application within 1 day,submit it to Shanghai Customs for review,and coordinate the inspection appointment at Nantong Port simultaneously;
• Verify product ingredients and filed information,assist the enterprise to supplement and submit the Animal-test-free Certificate to meet the 2026 new regulatory requirements for cosmetics imported from Japan;
• For the unqualified Chinese label submitted by the original freight forwarder,our team assisted in rectification,adjusted the labeling order and font size of the ingredient list to conform to GB 7916-2023 standards;
• Make an appointment for the dedicated cosmetics inspection channel at Nantong Port in advance,complete sampling for testing on the 2nd day after the goods arrive at the port,and obtain the test report and complete customs release on the 5th day.

Finally,this batch of goods only incurred an urgent document exchange fee of RMB 1200,saving nearly RMB 18,000 compared with the original freight forwarder’s plan,and completed customs clearance 7 days in advance,catching up with the stocking schedule for the local beauty exhibition.

Risk Warning and Avoidance for Nantong Cosmetics Import Customs Clearance

In the process of agent cosmetics import customs clearance in Nantong,common risks are mainly concentrated in the following aspects:

• Hidden Cost Trap: Some freight forwarders attract customers with low prices,but charge extra fees such as document exchange fees,inspection fees,and storage fees during the customs clearance process.Enterprises shall sign a clear agency agreement in advance,listing all charging items explicitly.
• Document Non-conformity Risk: In 2026,cosmetics with non-conforming documents at Nantong Port will be directly returned.Enterprises shall check the validity period and information consistency of documents such as Certificate of Origin and Free Sale Certificate in advance to avoid cargo detention caused by document problems.
• Holiday Impact: During the annual Nantong River-Sea Culture Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday,the port inspection efficiency will drop by more than 30%.Enterprises shall plan the import time in advance to avoid the peak period around holidays.

Zhongshitong’s Nantong Agent Service Advantages

As a senior foreign trade agency headquartered in Shanghai,Zhongshitong has the operation capacity of cross-port linkage across China.Its advantages in the field of Nantong cosmetics import customs clearance are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Localized Service Team: Exclusive service point is set up in Nantong,which is familiar with the local port’s inspection procedures and policy requirements,and can respond to customers’ urgent needs quickly;
• Compliance Risk Control System: A dedicated cosmetics import document review team is established to check document risks in advance,avoiding document rejection and cargo detention;
• Global Network Collaboration: We have established cooperation with freight forwarders in more than 20 countries around the world,and can provide one-stop services from overseas pickup to domestic customs clearance;
• Transparent Charging Model: All charging items are listed in advance with no hidden fees,ensuring customers’ capital cost is controllable.

If you have demands for Nantong cosmetics import customs clearance,you can contact our team at any time,and we will provide you with professional compliance plans and practical operation support.