I often work with cosmetic brand owners and distributors worldwide who want to import cosmetic products, primarily skincare and hair care products, into Australia.

Here’s how I can help you if you’re looking to sell your cosmetics on the Australian market. 

Benefits of importing cosmetics into Australia

• The good news for cosmetic importers is that Australian regulations are less strict than some regions such as the EU, which can make it easier to enter the market. For example, you don’t need to register the finished cosmetic products with a regulatory body.
• Australians often tend to have a high disposable income, and consumer demand continues to grow for cosmetic products, so now is the perfect time to break into the market.
• With the increase in online shopping, you don’t even need a bricks and mortar presence to be able to sell your products in Australia, and can easily sell via your website.

Importing Checklist

Here are 10 areas you’ll need to consider before importing cosmetics into Australia:

1. Complying with Australian laws and regulations
2. Registration – e.g. with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) 
3. Ingredients compliance
4. Product safety
5. Labelling compliance
6. Marketing claims – e.g. avoiding therapeutic claims and false and misleading claims
7. Intellectual property
8. Distribution channels
9. Importing goods – e.g. biosecurity requirements
10. Customs duties and taxes 

To get a copy of the full 10 Steps to Importing Cosmetic into Australia checklist and learn more about the Australian cosmetics laws and regulations you’ll need to comply with, check out my Cosmetics Regulations 101 mini-course. It’s the perfect (and low-cost) first step for getting your brand ready for the Australian market! 

How I can help you

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed but I’m here to guide you through the importing process wherever I can.

For clients wanting to import cosmetics into Australia, I usually provide one or more of the following regulatory consulting services:

• Label Review – reviewing your labels to ensure they comply with Australian regulations
• Marketing Claims Review – reviewing marketing claims to ensure there are no false and misleading claims or illegal therapeutic claims
• Website Review – reviewing your website to make sure it’s compliant with Australian legislation, including claims made on the website
• Ingredients Checks – checking ingredients against the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals and the Poisons Standard.

I don’t offer the following services:

• Tax / GST advice (best to speak to an Australian-based accountant for this)
• Agent for AICIS registration
• Customs process advice (best to speak to a customs broker or freight forwarded for this)
• Legal advice, e.g. in relation to business registration (best to speak to a lawyer about this)

Or you can check out the Cosmetics Regulations 101 mini-course I mentioned above. 

I look forward to working with you in the future!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I can help you get your cosmetic products onto the Australian market.

Jen