India’s increasing interest in international beauty products has driven a steep increase in demand for foreign cosmetics, particularly from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia. With a reputation for abundant natural resources and a thriving beauty industry, Indonesia’s cosmetic companies, several of whom are already BPOM-registered (Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control), are now increasingly leaving their signatures in the Indian beauty industry.
Nonetheless, entry into India’s regulated cosmetic market calls for adherence to strict norms prescribed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). As a trader, importer, or Indonesian producer looking to expand, this guide takes you through the complete cosmetic licensing process for a hassle-free and lawful cosmetic import from Indonesia to India.
What Is Cosmetic Import Regulation in India?
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945, govern certain imports of cosmetics in India. All imported cosmetic products to be sold in India have to be registered with the CDSCO. The procedure involves the submission of safety data, exporting country certificates, adequate documents, and compliance with labelling requirements.
Who is authorised to import Indonesian Cosmetics into India?
Indonesian cosmetics may be imported into India by authorised persons, including Indian companies, importers, distributors, or agents of the foreign manufacturer. Such persons should be registered with the CDSCO and must possess a valid Import Registration Certificate issued through Form COS-1. The importer who has been appointed should also follow local labelling practices and properly document themselves with Free Sale Certificates and BPOM registration from Indonesia. The foreign manufacturers should also legally empower the Indian importer to represent them by issuing a Power of Attorney, whereby all regulatory obligations are satisfied under Indian cosmetic licensing laws.
Why Importing Cosmetics From Indonesia Requires CDSCO Registration
Legal Compliance: CDSCO registration is a statutory legal compliance in Indian law.
Market Entry: Customs will refuse entry at Indian ports in the absence of registration.
Consumer Safety: Prevents imported cosmetics from containing dangerous or forbidden ingredients.
Brand Credibility: Registered products are trustworthy in the mind of Indian consumers.
Wider Reach: Allowing online and offline distribution with no legal liability.
Most Common Errors During the Importation of Indonesian Cosmetics
Importing Indonesian cosmetics to India may become difficult in the event of the most common regulatory errors being neglected. Most of the importers do not acquire a suitable CDSCO registration, or do not check whether products are in the cosmetic or drug categories. Incomplete documents—lacking BPOM registration, Free Sale Certificate, or an inappropriate Power of Attorney—prove to be a common problem. The other prevalent error is improper or non-compliant labelling, and this causes product rejection at ports. Bypassing the authorised agents or employing unregistered importers can even attract legal penalties. To ensure avoidance of delays and penalties, strict following to CDSCO guidelines and documentation must be maintained.
Some Indonesian Cosmetics Imported to India
- Herbal facial creams and skin creams
- Hair oils and serums
- Face masks and cleansers
- Lip balms, scrubs, and glosses
- Sunscreens and skin creams
- Indonesian traditional natural cosmetics
Step-by-Step Procedure to Import Cosmetics from Indonesia to India
1. Decide Product Classification
Check whether the product qualifies as a cosmetic under Indian legislation. Products with therapeutic properties (anti-fungal, anti-dandruff, hair growth) will fall under the purview of drugs and will necessitate a special permission process. Traditional beauty and skin care products of Indonesia will primarily fall under cosmetics.
2. Authorise an Authorised Indian Agent
Authorisation of an Authorised Indian Agent by foreign companies is necessary, who is to be registered to conduct wholesale trade (Form 20B and 21B). The agent works on behalf of the manufacturer in all CDSCO-related matters and applies for registration.
3. File Product Registration Application (Form COS-1)
Every cosmetic product (and its variant) is required to be registered individually. The COS-1 registration form should be filled in online on the SUGAM portal. The form includes the capture of product details, place of manufacturing, list of ingredients, and safety details.
4. Provide Mandatory Documents
The Indonesian manufacturer is required to prepare and provide some important documents, namely:
- Free Sale Certificate (FSC) issued by the Indonesian FDA/BPOM
- Manufacturer license
- Ingredient list with % composition
- Product specifications and safety details
- Power of Attorney empowering the Indian Agent
- Mark the artwork to conform to Indian standards
- Files to be notarised and apostilled when necessary.
5. Deposit Registration Fee
Registration fees differ according to the number of products and variations. Online payments are made via the Bharatkosh Portal. Place the payment receipt with the application file.
6. Take Registration Certificate (Form COS-2)
CDSCO will scrutinise the application, check all documents in favour, and ask questions in case of any need for clarification. They then issue a Registration Certificate in Form COS-2, which permits the import or sale of the cosmetic product in India.
7. Get Import License (Form COS-3)
After registration, the Indian Agent needs to apply for an Import License on Form COS-3. The license is necessary for clearance of customs and needs renewal before expiration to continue operation without interruption.
8. Label Compliance as per Indian Regulations
All product labels need to be compliant with Rule 148 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules before clearing customs, e.g.:
- Product name and description
- weight, volume, origin
- Manufacturer and Importer details
- Batch number and date of expiry
- List of ingredients
- Safety warning or instructions
- “Imported by” and MRP statement in INR
9. Customs Clearance and Ongoing Compliance
After the import license and labelling are initiated, the product is clearable from Indian customs. Exporters need to keep product quality records, address consumer complaints, and be ready for CDSCO inspections as part of continued compliance.
List of Documents Required to Import Cosmetics from Indonesia
- Covering Letter
- Form COS-1 (Online Application)
- Power of Attorney
- Free Sale Certificate issued by BPOM Indonesia
- License of Manufacturer
- Product Information Sheet
- Ingredient List with Percentages
- Label Artwork
- Product Specifications and Test Reports
- Declaration of Non-Animal Testing
- Safety and Toxicology Data (if applicable)
- Product Sample (if applicable)
- Bharatkosh Fee Payment Receipt
- Import License (Form COS-3, post-approval)
Conclusion
India presents the Indonesian cosmetics industry with a massive scope for global expansion. Yet, the CDSCO regulatory framework has to be negotiated through. This manual makes importing Indonesian cosmetics easy and prepares you for everything you require—documentation, registration, and so on. Having a solid compliance expert like ELT Corporate helps achieve faster, hassle-free, and right-compliant market entry. We provide complete regulatory services for the importation of cosmetics from Document verification to Importer license support.
FAQs
Are Indonesian cosmetic products all required to register with CDSCO to import into India?
Yes. All cosmetic products that are to be sold in India and are being imported have to be registered with CDSCO, irrespective of the origin country.
What happens if an imported cosmetic fails BIS or CDSCO standards?
If an imported cosmetic fails BIS or CDSCO standards, it may be rejected, seized, recalled, or banned from Indian markets.
Is there any expedited approval for Indonesian brands under ASEAN connectivity?
No. No such special provision is there at present. All imports have to go through normal CDSCO formalities.
Can multiple variants of the cosmetics be covered in one application?
No. Every variant (flavour, colour, formulation) has to be registered separately.
How long would the CDSCO approval take?
It should normally take 4–6 months from filing to approval, based on response speed to questions.
