Purchasing Agents Are Dead! 2024 Cosmetics Imports Must Go Through Agencies

Mr. Cui recently posted a set of "direct overseas mail" luxury face creams on social media, only to have them detained by customs for lacking Chinese labels; Mr. Cui purchased a certain brand's essence at a low price on an e-commerce platform, but after testing, it turned out to be a counterfeit product using a plagiarized batch number… With the rise of cross-border e-commerce, the demand for cosmetics import agencies has surged, but the reality behind it is far more complex than you might imagine.

I. The "Gray Area" of Cosmetics Import

According to the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, officially imported cosmetics must complete the following:

• Filing (for non-special use cosmetics) or Registration (for special use cosmetics) with the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)
• Chinese label review (ingredients must be consistent with the filing)
• Customs quarantine and inspection (sampling and testing for each batch)

However, some agency institutions, under the guise of "customs clearance guaranteed," actually circumvent regulations by using methods such as repackaging and mailing, or falsely declaring product names. In one inspection, approximately 37% of "duty-free purchasing agent" products were found to have falsified qualifications.

II. 3 Core Indicators for Choosing Agency Services

Indicator 1: Full-Process Qualification Visualization
Compliant agencies like Zhongmaoda provide:

• Overseas brand authorization letter (must be consistent with the filing entity)
• Electronic copy of the NMPA filing certificate
• Real-time query of customs declaration numbers

Indicator 2: Traceability of Testing Reports
Official testing reports should include the CMA logo and be verifiable on the "National Cosmetics Spot Check Information Platform" by batch number. One client received a testing report showing mercury content exceeding the limit by 8 times, and upon investigation, it was found to be photoshopped.

Indicator 3: Closed-Loop Logistics Chain
From overseas warehouses to domestic bonded warehouses, temperature control records are required throughout the entire process, especially for products containing active ingredients such as Vitamin C and retinol. Some substandard services, in order to save costs, use ordinary logistics, leading to product degradation.

III. These "Money-Saving Tricks" Are Actually Minefields

• "Batch Mailing to Avoid Taxes": Parcel values exceeding 5,000 yuan in a single shipment are suspected of smuggling.
• "Reusing Old Batch Numbers": New filing policies implemented after 2021 require ingredients to be bound with batch numbers.
• "Private Labeling and Repackaging": Unauthorized repackaging violates Article 12 of the Regulations on the Administration of Cosmetic Labels.

IV. Consumer Self-Protection Guide

Upon receiving the product, immediately:

• Scan the QR code on the packaging to verify filing information.
• Log in to the "Cosmetic Supervision" APP to validate the batch number.
• Retain logistics proof for at least 6 months.

If abnormalities are found, evidence such as customs declaration forms and testing reports can be submitted to the 12315 platform.

Your "Overseas Shopping Savings Strategy" Might Be on the Verge of Illegality

When a platform claims "50% off counter prices," it's worth asking three questions: Why do brand manufacturers allow price chaos? How can they bypass import taxes? Why are they afraid to stamp their testing reports? The next time you see an advertisement for "cosmetics import agencies," remember that compliant costs never disappear; they are simply transferred to the unsuspecting you.