Authorised Indian agent
An Indian company appointed by the manufacturer. This is the role BeautyLand India plays.
Regulatory guide
CDSCO registration, explained.
No cosmetic can be imported into India for sale without an Import Registration Certificate. Here is how the process works, what it costs and how we file it for you.
Form COS-1applicationForm COS-2certificate
The essentials
Four facts every importing brand needs
- Application
- Form COS-1 on the CDSCO SUGAM portal
- Certificate
- Form COS-2, valid for 5 years
- Government fees
- USD 1,000 per category, USD 50 per variant, USD 500 per manufacturing site
- Review time
- Up to 180 working days by rule; often 3 to 6 months in practice
Sources: Cosmetics Rules 2020 and CDSCO guidance as summarised by CliniExperts and Artixio. Fees and timelines can change; we confirm current figures before filing.
Who can apply
Foreign manufacturers cannot file directly
The application has to come from an entity in India.
Importer
An Indian importer authorised by the manufacturer to bring in and sell the products.
Indian subsidiary
A subsidiary of the foreign brand that is registered in India.
The process
How a registration moves
- 01Week 1
Categorise
Products grouped by category and variant to set fees and dossier scope.
- 02Week 1–2
Documents
Authorisation letter, free sale certificate, formulas, labels, test methods.
- 03Week 3
File COS-1
Online application and fee payment on the SUGAM portal.
- 04Month 1–6
Queries
CDSCO may ask for more information; we answer each query.
- 05Month 3–6
COS-2
Import Registration Certificate issued, valid for five years.
Documents
What we will ask you for
- Authorisation letter from the manufacturer appointing the Indian agent, usually apostilled
- Free sale certificate from the country of origin
- Product formula and ingredient list
- Product labels and artwork
- Certificate of analysis and test methods
- Manufacturing site details
Questions
Common CDSCO questions
Can I sell before COS-2 is issued?
No. Products cannot be imported for sale until the Import Registration Certificate is granted.
How long is the certificate valid?
Form COS-2 is valid for five years, after which it must be renewed.
What slows a registration down?
Missing or inconsistent documents, such as names or pack sizes that differ between the form and the labels, and slow replies to CDSCO queries.
Do new cosmetic ingredients need anything extra?
A product that counts as a new cosmetic needs separate prior permission in Form COS-3 before registration.
Let us file your registration.
We act as your authorised Indian agent and manage the dossier, the filing and every query.