Most creams and lotions don’t need a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The risks are leaks, heat damage and broken glass, and the core paperwork is a commercial invoice, packing list and Certificate of Origin. Alcohol-based perfumes and nail polish remover are different: they need an SDS, and alcohol-based perfumes are usually dangerous goods (DG) by air, which Airlift does not book.
What this guide covers
Liquids, creams, cosmetics, skincare, haircare and fragrances. Depending on the product, they can be damaged by heat, leaks, pressure changes or impact, and some face labeling rules at destination.
Product categories
Cosmetics & Skincare
Face creams, serums, masks, makeup
Haircare & Grooming
Styling products, hair oils, hair serums
Fragrances & Alcohol-Based Products
Perfumes, body mists, aftershaves
Nail & Salon Items
Nail polish, polish removers
Personal Care Devices
Electric grooming tools
Shipping beauty and personal care products?
Get a quoteFour risks in transit, and how to manage them
Liquids and creams leak when seals are loose or when pressure changes and vibration work on them.
- Use tamper-proof seals
- Add shrink bands and inner seals
- Bag products inside the carton
- Line cartons with an absorbent layer
- A secure seal protects neighboring cartons, not just your own product.
Heat can make formulas separate, melt or become unstable. Light also affects some formulas.
- Keep goods out of direct sunlight and hot storage
- Use insulated packaging on routes prone to heat
- Avoid loading containers in peak heat where possible
- Some skincare formulas are sensitive even while sitting in a warehouse.
Glass bottles and jars break on impact.
- Use divider inserts and foam cushioning
- Use inner trays for cosmetics kits
- Use strong outer cartons
- This matters most for perfumes and skincare in glass.
Some cosmetics are regulated, and ingredient and labeling rules vary by region.
- The manufacturer must supply the ingredient list
- Country-specific labeling may apply
- Alcohol-based and chemical products need an SDS
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is required when a product contains flammable or reactive ingredients, such as nail polish remover or perfume.
Documents to prepare
| Document | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | Lists product details, HS code, packaging and contents |
| Certificate of Origin (COO): where the goods were made | Many markets require it for customs |
| Ingredient list or product details | Lets you show regulatory compliance if asked |
| SDS (Safety Data Sheet): only for flammable or chemical products | Required for alcohol-based products and some cosmetics |
| Packaging declaration | Confirms the packaging type and inner protection |
Rules by destination
- Certificate of Origin (COO) often required
- Some labeling rules apply, including ingredient declaration
- Ingredient listing and cosmetics regulations apply
- COO usually requested
- COO widely required
- Some countries require health authority approval, depending on the product category
- Consumer goods are sometimes physically inspected to check labeling.
Choosing FCL, LCL or air
| Mode | Suitable For |
|---|---|
| FCL (full container load) | Bulk cosmetics shipments |
| Palletized LCL (shared container) | Smaller orders; pallets keep cartons from being crushed |
| Air freight | Premium cosmetics and urgent e-commerce orders |
Shipping beauty and personal care products?
Get a quoteHS codes for beauty and personal care
| HS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3303 | Perfumes and toilet waters |
| 3304 | Makeup and skincare |
| 3305 | Haircare products |
| 3307 | Bath and personal hygiene products |
These codes are indicative starting points, not a classification. Find the exact 10-digit line for your product in the HTS Code Finder. Getting the classification right is the importer of record’s legal responsibility.
Examples only: confirm the full 8- or 10-digit code for each destination. Estimate US import duties for these codes with our free tariff simulator.
Cosmetics shipping FAQs
Generally no. Some products do face labeling or document checks at destination.
It can be. Alcohol-based perfumes may need an SDS, and are usually dangerous goods (DG) by air, which Airlift does not book.
Use tamper seals, shrink wrap and inner bags, and make sure bottle caps are secure.
Usually not. Standard goods ship at ambient temperature; heat-sensitive formulas benefit from insulated packing.
Yes. Palletize them: palletized LCL is safer than loose cartons.
Shipping terms in this guide:Commercial InvoicePacking ListHarmonized System Code (HS Code)Certificate of Origin (COO)Full Container Load (FCL)
U.S. import duty on Beauty & Personal Care Products by country of origin
Total duty on the highest-value tariff lines in this category, by country of origin, calculated with our tariff engine and U.S. Census import values. Each page breaks down the duty components, how the rate has changed by entry date, and the landed-cost math.
- Perfumes and toilet waters from France
- Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations from South Korea
- Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations from France
- Perfumes and toilet waters from Spain
- Candles, tapers and the like from Vietnam
Rates are our tariff engine's total for a commercial entry today. Open a page for the duty lines behind a rate and how it changed by entry date, browse all import duty pages, or price your own shipment.
Not sure how to pack or ship your cosmetics?
Tell us what you’re shipping. We check your packaging, confirm whether you need an SDS, plan pallets and recommend how to move cosmetics and skincare safely.
Get a quote to ship beauty and personal care products
Tell us the product, where it ships from and to, and the container size or weight. We reply with the freight rate, the destination charges and the services included. The guide you were reading is already in the notes.