Export cosmetics to the EU: rules, labels and duty

Rules to check before you export cosmetics to the EU (10), each with its official source.

Official sources checked between 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-24

Duty and FTAs: 0% duty for Korean-origin industrial goods under the EU–Korea FTA (cuts completed July 2016): write an origin declaration on the invoice; above €6,000 per shipment only an approved exporter may. Anti-dumping duties, if any, are separate. trade.ec.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-09

This is not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm with the official source and a local authority, your importer or an expert before you sell.

• Main rule for cosmetics: EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009: before sale, an EU Responsible Person (who keeps the product information file), a CPNP notification and a safety report (CPSR). One Responsible Person and one CPNP notification cover every EU country; labels in each country’s language with the Responsible Person’s name and address. eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-09
• EU microplastics restriction for cosmetics: The EU restricts intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles, solid water-insoluble polymer particles of 5 mm or less such as polyethylene, nylon or PMMA beads and plastic glitter, at 0.01% by weight or more (REACH Annex XVII, entry 78). Microbeads that exfoliate, polish or clean are already banned; rinse-off products follow from 17 Oct 2027, leave-on products and encapsulated fragrances from 17 Oct 2029, and lip, nail and make-up products from 17 Oct 2035, labelled 'This product contains microplastics.' from 17 Oct 2031. Polymers proven to degrade or dissolve are outside it. Ask your formulator which ingredients count and plan any reformulation or relabelling before those dates. Done with your importer · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• EU fragrance allergen labelling: Cosmetics placed on the EU market from 1 Aug 2026 must name each fragrance allergen on the expanded list (56 added to the 24) above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products; units with older labels may be sold until 31 Jul 2028. Get the full allergen breakdown from your fragrance supplier and update the labels. Done with your importer · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-13
• EU and UK ban on ingredients of human origin: The EU Cosmetics Regulation bans cells, tissues or products of human origin in cosmetics (Annex II, entry 416), and the UK keeps the same ban. Human stem cell culture media (conditioned media from human adipose or umbilical cord cells), exosomes from human cells and human placenta extracts, found in many Korean ampoules, cannot be sold there. Exosomes and stem cell extracts from plants or microbes are not caught: check the source on your raw-material specification and the INCI name before you quote an EU or UK buyer. Your company does it · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• EU limits on brightening and vitamin A ingredients: The EU caps brightening and vitamin A ingredients common in Korean skincare. Its annex lists alpha-arbutin only for face creams (up to 2%) and body lotions (up to 0.5%) and arbutin only for face creams (up to 7%), both with hydroquinone kept at trace level, and kojic acid only for face and hand products (up to 1%); products outside these limits cannot be sold from 1 Nov 2025. Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are capped at 0.3% retinol equivalent (0.05% in body lotions), and products placed on the market from 1 Nov 2025 need the label 'Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use'; older stock may be sold until 30 Apr 2027. Check serums, toners and ampoules as well as creams. Done with your importer · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• EU ban on TPO in gel nails: From 1 Sep 2025 the EU bans TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide), until then allowed up to 5% in professional artificial nail systems, and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine in all cosmetics, with no sell-off period for stock. Check the formulas of UV and LED gel polishes and semi-cured gel nail strips, and reformulate before selling in the EU. Your company does it · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• EU limits on sunscreen UV filters: Every UV filter in a sunscreen sold in the EU must be on Annex VI of the Cosmetics Regulation, within its limit: homosalate only in face products other than propellant sprays, up to 7.34%; benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) up to 6% in face, hand and lip products and 2.2% in body products and sprays, with 'Contains Benzophenone-3' on the label; octocrylene up to 10% (9% in propellant sprays). 4-MBC (4-methylbenzylidene camphor) is banned, with no sales from 1 May 2026, and products over the homosalate limit cannot be sold from 1 Jul 2025. Check each filter and its percentage in the formula before quoting an EU buyer. Done with your importer · ec.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• EU hair dye warnings and limits: Oxidative hair dyes sold in the EU print the mixing ratio and the warning fixed in Annex III of the Cosmetics Regulation, in each country's language: 'Hair colourants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary 'black henna' tattoos may increase your risk of allergy.', followed by the 'Do not colour your hair if' list, 'Contains phenylenediamines' and 'Do not use to dye eyelashes or eyebrows'. Each hair dye substance has its own limit after mixing (p-phenylenediamine 2% as free base, for example) and many others are banned, so check every dye in the formula against Annexes II and III and the warning text before you print. Your company does it · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• EU sunscreen labels: SPF categories and the UVA ratio: The European Commission's recommendation on sunscreen efficacy and claims (2006/647/EC) sets the EU benchmark: every sunscreen protects against UVA as well as UVB, with a UVA protection factor of at least one third of the labelled SPF (persistent pigment darkening or an equivalent in vitro test) and a critical wavelength of at least 370 nm, and SPF 6 is the minimum. A Korean PA++++ grade does not show that ratio by itself. The label shows the protection category (low, medium, high or very high) as prominently as the SPF and uses only the values 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 or 50+; claims such as 'sunblock', 'total protection' or 'all day prevention' are not allowed, and the pack carries warnings and directions to apply enough and to reapply. Your company does it · eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• France PFAS ban: France bans cosmetics, ski wax, consumer clothing, footwear and their waterproofing agents containing PFAS above trace limits (25 ppb per substance, 250 ppb in total, 50 ppm including polymers) from 1 Jan 2026; stock made earlier may be sold until 31 Dec 2026, and all textiles follow from 1 Jan 2030. Check formulas for PTFE and other perfluoro ingredients, and fabrics for water-repellent finishes. Your company does it · legifrance.gouv.fr, checked 2026-10-13
• Applies to every product here: EU ban on vague green claims
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• Same product, other countries: United States
• Same product, other countries: Japan
• Same product, other countries: China
• Same product, other countries: Vietnam
• Same product, other countries: Thailand
• Same product, other countries: Malaysia
• Same product, other countries: Singapore
• Same product, other countries: Philippines
• Same product, other countries: Australia
• Same product, other countries: Canada
• Same product, other countries: Brazil
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• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-09
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-13
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: ec.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: legifrance.gouv.fr, checked 2026-10-13
• Sources: trade.ec.europa.eu, checked 2026-10-09

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