Prepare the shipment records
Have a commercial invoice, packing list, shipper and consignee details, and accurate product descriptions available for review. The parties handling entry may request further information based on the goods and import arrangements.
Keep product descriptions accurate
List each product and quantity consistently. Intended use and claims can affect how a product is regulated in the United States; a cosmetics trade description does not resolve every classification question.
Review applicable FDA requirements
Imported cosmetics must meet applicable US requirements. FDA may examine or sample imported products, and admission is not guaranteed by a freight booking. Resolve product and labelling questions with the responsible parties before the goods leave China.
Keep MoCRA obligations separate from freight
Where facility registration or product listing obligations apply, they must be addressed by the relevant parties. Registration or listing does not represent FDA product approval. This shipping guide does not offer registration or listing services.
Agree on the document handover
Identify who supplies each record and who coordinates entry. Update the documents if products, quantities or shipment arrangements change, and allow for requests for additional information during import processing.
Official sources: FDA Cosmetics Importers; FDA Registration and Listing. Regulatory references reviewed September 23, 2026.
Plan your next step
Use the shipment document checklist. For a shipment review, prepare your product details, packed weight and volume, China pickup location and US ZIP code.
The document set for a US entry
When cosmetics arrive in the United States, the entry is supported by a set of records rather than a single paper. The commercial invoice, packing list, transport documents and the shipment details together describe what is arriving, who is sending it, and who is receiving it. Keep the names of products identical across these documents, and make sure quantities match between the packing list and the invoice. The parties handling entry may request further information based on the goods, the consignee and the import arrangements.
ISF and FDA prior notice
Two filings can apply to a US-bound ocean shipment and need preparation before arrival. The Importer Security Filing, commonly called ISF, is filed before the vessel departs and covers the parties and cargo details. For cosmetics, an FDA prior notice must also be submitted before the shipment arrives, so that FDA knows what is coming and where to focus examination. These filings depend on accurate shipment records, which is why the invoice, packing list and transport details need to be finalised early rather than corrected mid-voyage.
Product descriptions and US regulation
How a product is described affects how it is regulated in the United States. Cosmetics, and products with a therapeutic claim, can be treated differently. Intended use and claims therefore matter: a trade description alone does not resolve every classification question. Describe each product by its form, ingredients and intended use, and avoid promotional claims in shipping documents. When in doubt, flag the product for review before booking rather than during customs clearance.
Working with a customs broker
Most importers work with a customs broker who submits the entry and coordinates with FDA and other agencies. The broker needs the shipment records, the product information and the receiving details. Provide the same accurate descriptions you used in the shipping documents, and confirm who files ISF and prior notice in your arrangement. A single, consistent set of facts makes the broker’s work faster and reduces the chance of holds or requests for more information.
What the freight team can and cannot do
The freight team organises the transport, the consolidation and the delivery, and coordinates with the parties handling entry. It does not guarantee customs admission: imported cosmetics must meet applicable US requirements, and FDA may examine or sample products at the border. Plan the shipment records, the product descriptions and the applicable filings with the freight and customs teams before departure, so that nothing waits until the cargo is already at the destination port.
Common holds and how to avoid them
Most holds start with information that does not line up: a product described differently on the invoice and the packing list, a missing or incomplete prior notice, quantities that do not match the transport documents, or a claim in the description that turns the product into a different regulatory category. Avoid them by finalising one consistent set of records, checking the descriptions for claims, and confirming the ISF and prior notice filings with the broker before the vessel departs.
Frequently asked questions
When should documents be finalised? Before the vessel departs. ISF is filed in advance of departure and prior notice is due before arrival, so the records should be complete when the cargo is booked.
Can I fix a description after departure? Corrections are possible but they trigger additional review and can slow the entry. Preparing accurate records at origin avoids that friction.
Who files ISF and prior notice? In most arrangements the customs broker files them. Confirm the split of responsibilities when you book, because it differs between freight teams and brokers.
Where can I learn about US cosmetics rules? Start with the receiving requirements in How to Ship Cosmetics from China to the USA, then confirm the current FDA requirements with the customs broker or the US agency directly for the specific products you ship.
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