Prepare the cargo.
Align the paperwork.

How do FDA requirements affect a cosmetics shipment?

Imported cosmetics must meet applicable US requirements. FDA can review cosmetics offered for import; arranging transport does not guarantee admission. Product descriptions, labels and supporting information should be addressed with the responsible parties before departure.

Where MoCRA registration or listing obligations apply, those obligations are separate from the freight booking. Haishun’s pages focus on shipping preparation and coordination, rather than registration services.

Official references: FDA: Cosmetics Importers and FDA: Cosmetic Facility Registration and Product Listing . Reviewed September 23, 2026.

Keep your documents consistent

If the product list, carton count or destination changes, update the packing list and shipping instructions before dispatch. For multiple suppliers, retain a clear link between each order and its cartons.

Before you dispatch: a quick checklist

Run through the preparation checklist one last time before the cargo leaves the factory or the consolidation point:

• Product names, forms and intended use are described consistently across the enquiry, invoice and packing list.
• Packed measurements reflect the shipment as it travels: carton count, dimensions, gross weight and cubic volume, including pallets.
• Alcohol content, aerosols, pumps or sprays are identified and any safety information requested by the freight team is provided.
• The China supplier locations, readiness dates and pickup or drop-off arrangements are confirmed.
• The US receiving address, warehouse contact and receiving rules are shared in the same preparation step.

If several suppliers are involved, keep each supplier’s cartons traceable with a supplier and purchase order reference, as described in Consolidating Cosmetics from Multiple Chinese Suppliers.

Common mistakes at the preparation stage

Most preparation problems come from information that describes a different shipment than the one that actually travels. Product names change between documents, measurements are based on unboxed goods, or the address used for the quote differs from the final delivery address. Another frequent issue is treating every liquid the same: perfume, aerosols and alcohol-containing products need separate assessment and should be flagged early. A single file of information, updated as the cargo changes, keeps the enquiry, the booking and the US entry on the same page.

The three preparation groups work together. The product information defines what is being shipped, the packed measurements define how it travels, and the commercial records define how the shipment is documented. Change one and the other two are checked again: a product detail affects the cargo description, a measurement change affects the quote and the booking, and a document correction affects the US entry. Keeping the three groups in one place, updated at the same time, is the simplest way to keep a cosmetics shipment consistent from China to the US delivery address.

Frequently asked questions

What if my packed measurements are not final yet? Mark them as estimates and update them before booking. A quote built on estimates can change once the final packed size is confirmed, as explained in What Is Included in a Cosmetics Freight Quote?

Can I prepare the documents after the cargo is packed? Yes, but the commercial records must match the physical goods. Preparing the records while packing happens avoids last-minute corrections.

Which products need extra attention? Aerosols, perfumes and alcohol-containing products are assessed separately. See Shipping Liquid Cosmetics and Creams from China for the packing considerations.

Where do I start? With the product list and the packed measurements, then the China origin and US receiving details. The full sequence is covered in How to Ship Cosmetics from China to the USA.