How To Ship Cosmetics to the EU and UK
Expanding into the EU and UK can open the door to a large and highly engaged cosmetics market. For beauty, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and personal care brands, Europe offers meaningful growth potential — but it also requires the right compliance and customs preparation before products can be sold.
Cosmetics are a regulated product category, which means brands need to account for ingredient restrictions, product safety documentation, labeling, market notification, and customs clearance. With the right plan in place, these requirements can be managed early and built into a scalable international launch strategy.
If you are entering Europe for the first time, start with our guide on how to import a product into the EU for the first time. For cosmetics-specific guidance, read our guide to the top 10 things to know about shipping cosmetics to Europe.
What Cosmetics Brands Need to Prepare Before Shipping to Europe
The EU and UK are highly established cosmetics markets with clear product compliance frameworks. For brands, this means there are defined steps to follow before placing products on the market.
Compared to the U.S., the EU and UK generally require more upfront documentation and review. This may include appointing a Responsible Person, preparing a Product Information File, completing a cosmetic product safety assessment, checking ingredients, updating labels, and notifying the appropriate regulatory portal.
While this may sound like a lot at first, these requirements are manageable when approached step by step. They also help brands create a stronger compliance foundation that can support long-term international growth.
If you are a US cosmetic brand owner trying to ship products to a customer in any of these three places, these are the regulations that would govern.
EU vs. UK Cosmetics Compliance: What Brands Need to Know
Since Brexit, the EU and UK should be treated as separate compliance markets. Many of the requirements are similar, but brands may need to complete separate steps depending on where they plan to sell. As a starting point, remember that each country might have unique requirements on top of what is mandated by the EU regulations. For the EU, cosmetics are governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. Brands typically need to appoint an EU-based Responsible Person, maintain a Product Information File, complete a cosmetic product safety assessment, meet labeling requirements, and notify products through the EU Cosmetic Products Notification Portal, or CPNP.
For Great Britain, brands need to follow UK cosmetics requirements, appoint a UK Responsible Person, maintain the required product information, meet UK labeling requirements, and notify products through the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification, or SCPN, service before placing products on the market. If you plan to sell into both the EU and UK, it is worth planning for both pathways early. Doing so can help avoid duplicative work and make your expansion process more efficient. It is worth noting that getting a cosmetic product to comply with these requirements and approval is a lengthy process, and from start to finish can take between 4 to 9 months. Luckily, certain agencies and regulatory consulting companies exist specifically to make the process easier and will help take care of these requirements.
Key Steps for Shipping Cosmetics to the EU and UK
1. Confirm whether your product is considered a cosmetic
The first step is confirming whether your product falls under the cosmetic product definition in the market where you want to sell.
Many beauty and personal care products are considered cosmetics, including skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, bath products, grooming products, and oral care products. However, some products may fall into other categories depending on their ingredients, intended use, or marketing claims.
For example, a moisturizing face cream may be treated as a cosmetic, while a product that claims to treat acne, eczema, or another medical condition may trigger different requirements.
This is why it is important to review both the product formula and the claims made on the label, website, and product page.
2. Review your ingredients
Ingredient review is one of the most important parts of preparing cosmetics for the EU and UK markets.
A formula that is acceptable in the U.S. may still need to be reviewed before it can be sold in Europe. Some ingredients may be restricted, allowed only at certain concentrations, or prohibited altogether depending on the product type and intended use.
There are hundreds of chemicals that are banned, so it is well worth checking any potential product against the EU list of forbidden ingredients. Some companies even perform formula checks that cost approximately Eur 150 that will give cosmetics companies the peace of mind that their products have appropriate ingredients to be shipped to the EU/UK.
3. Appoint a Responsible Person
Cosmetics placed on the EU or UK market generally need a Responsible Person.
The Responsible Person helps ensure that the product meets applicable cosmetics regulations and that required documentation is available to regulators if needed. For U.S. brands, this often means working with a qualified regulatory representative or partner located in the appropriate market.
For the EU, brands typically need an EU-based Responsible Person. For Great Britain, brands need a UK Responsible Person. If you are selling into both markets, you may need separate coverage for each.
This step can be a helpful anchor for the rest of the compliance process, since the Responsible Person often plays a role in documentation, product review, and notification.
4. Prepare a Product Information File
A Product Information File, often called a PIF, is a core document for cosmetics sold in the EU and UK.
The PIF helps demonstrate that the product has been reviewed and is ready for the market. It typically includes the product description, formula details, cosmetic product safety report, manufacturing information, good manufacturing practice documentation, proof supporting product claims, labeling and packaging information, and relevant testing data.
Although preparing a PIF takes time, it can also make expansion more organized. It creates a central source of truth for product compliance and can help brands manage future market entries more efficiently.
5. Complete the required product notification
Before placing a cosmetic product on the market, brands generally need to notify the appropriate regulatory portal.
For the EU, this usually means submitting the product through the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal, or CPNP.
For Great Britain, this usually means submitting the product through the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification, or SCPN, service.
These notifications help regulatory authorities understand what is being placed on the market and who is responsible for the product. If you are selling into both the EU and UK, remember that these are separate notification processes.
6. Review labeling and packaging
As a general matter, labeling requirements for cosmetics sold in the EU must show the cosmetic function, the size of the product, the point of contact, and a list of ingredients. The EU requires that all ingredients be listed by their International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) name, which helps consumers know the ingredients of their cosmetics by removing language barriers. However, some EU countries also require other product information to be translated into the country’s spoken languages. This means that countries like Belgium that have three official languages would require the product function (shampoo, deodorant, etc.), composition, and warnings to be translated into Dutch, French, and German.
7. Prepare for customs clearance
Once the product is ready for sale, brands also need to prepare for customs clearance.
Regulatory compliance and customs clearance are connected, but they are not the same process. Even if a cosmetic product meets market requirements, the shipment still needs accurate customs documentation.
This may include a clear product description, correct HS code classification, accurate declared value, country of origin, and any required supporting documentation.
For cosmetics, clear descriptions are especially helpful. Instead of using vague terms like “cream,” “beauty item,” or “sample,” use descriptions that explain what the product is and how it is used.
For example:
Moisturizing face cream for cosmetic use
Non-medicated liquid foundation makeup
Scented body lotion for cosmetic use
Clear customs descriptions can help brokers and agencies understand the shipment more easily and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary delays.
What Are the Next Steps for Cosmetics Brands?
If you are preparing to ship cosmetics to the EU or UK, start by mapping out your target markets and product requirements.
Key questions to answer include:
Which markets are you entering: the EU, UK, or both?
Are your ingredients allowed in the destination market?
Do you need an EU Responsible Person, UK Responsible Person, or both?
Is your Product Information File complete?
Have you completed the required product notification?
Do your labels meet market-specific language and packaging requirements?
Are your HS codes and customs descriptions accurate?
Answering these questions early can help turn compliance into a strategic part of your international growth plan.
How Passport Can Help
Shipping cosmetics to the EU and UK requires coordination across compliance, customs, documentation, classification, and logistics. Passport helps ecommerce brands navigate the operational side of international expansion so they can reach more customers with confidence.
Our team can help you understand what is required to ship internationally, support accurate customs documentation and classification, and connect the pieces needed for a smoother cross-border experience.
Authored by Thomas Taggart
Head of Global Trade | Passport
Thomas Taggart is a cross-border commerce leader with more than 20 years of experience in international shipping and regulatory affairs. As the Head of Global Trade, Thomas helps ecommerce brands go global by simplifying international trade, tax, and product compliance issues. Prior to Passport, he brought international shipping solutions to market through multiple roles in UPS’s product development organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship cosmetics to the EU and UK?
Yes. The EU and UK are attractive markets for cosmetics brands, and many beauty, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and personal care companies successfully sell there. The key is preparing the right compliance, labeling, documentation, and customs information before placing products on the market.
Are cosmetics regulated differently in the EU and UK than in the U.S.?
Yes. The EU and UK generally require more upfront documentation and product review than the U.S. This can include ingredient checks, product safety documentation, a Responsible Person, product notification, and specific labeling requirements.
Do I need a Responsible Person to sell cosmetics in the EU or UK?
In most cases, yes. Cosmetics placed on the EU market typically need an EU-based Responsible Person. Cosmetics placed on the Great Britain market typically need a UK Responsible Person. If you plan to sell in both markets, you may need separate coverage for each.
What is a Product Information File?
A Product Information File, or PIF, is a core compliance document for cosmetics sold in the EU and UK. It usually includes the product description, formula details, safety assessment, manufacturing information, labeling, packaging, claims support, and other product documentation.
What is the difference between CPNP and SCPN?
The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal, or CPNP, is used for cosmetic product notifications in the EU.
The Submit Cosmetic Product Notification, or SCPN, service is used for cosmetic product notifications in Great Britain.
If you are selling into both the EU and Great Britain, you may need to complete both notification processes.
Do I need to change my cosmetics labels for the EU or UK?
Possibly. Cosmetic labels may need to include required information such as product function, nominal content, Responsible Person details, warnings or precautions, batch number, and ingredient list. Some destination countries may also require certain information to be translated into local languages.
Are U.S.-approved cosmetics automatically allowed in the EU or UK?
Not necessarily. A product that can be sold in the U.S. may still need ingredient review, documentation, notification, and labeling updates before it can be sold in the EU or UK.
How long does it take to prepare cosmetics for the EU or UK market?
Timelines vary depending on the product, formula complexity, documentation readiness, and target market. Some brands may move quickly if their documentation is already organized, while others may need several months to complete ingredient checks, safety assessments, labeling updates, Responsible Person setup, and product notification.
What customs information do I need when shipping cosmetics internationally?
You generally need accurate product descriptions, HS code classification, declared value, country of origin, and any required supporting documentation. For cosmetics, descriptions should be clear and specific, such as “moisturizing face cream for cosmetic use” instead of simply “cream.”
Can Passport help me ship cosmetics to the EU and UK?
Yes. Passport can help ecommerce brands understand the operational requirements for international shipping, support accurate customs documentation and classification, and connect the pieces needed for a smoother cross-border experience. Passport can also help connect brands with trusted cosmetics regulatory consultants focused on the European market.
