At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, FCA, CIF, DAP
India's herbal cosmetics & personal care export trade
India exported US$2,061.9 mn of cosmetics & toiletries in FY2024-25 according to chemexcil.in. That statistical line covers more than herbal cosmetics & personal care; a product-level figure is not published.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| France | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Germany | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| Italy | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| United States | MoCRA compliance (FDA) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Notification / licence (Health Canada) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| United Arab Emirates | Product conformity & registration (MoIAT (UAE.S/GSO 1943) + Dubai Municipality Montaji) | 3-6 days |
| Saudi Arabia | Notification (SFDA) | 6-10 days |
| United Kingdom | General import clearance | 20-26 via Suez; 30-37 via Cape days |
| Belgium | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Notification (DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009)) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Singapore | Notification (HSA) | 7-12 days |
| Malaysia | Halal (JAKIM) | 8-12 days |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where herbal cosmetics & personal care is sourced in India
Himachal Pradesh — Solan. Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh
Maharashtra — Mumbai, Thane, Palghar.
Uttarakhand — Haridwar. SIDCUL Ayurveda/herbal units
Gujarat — Ahmedabad.
- Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%) (Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana) · ships via Mundra · season: Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows)
- Haridwar SIDCUL industrial estate / Kerala Ayurveda belt (Uttarakhand; Kerala; Karnataka; Gujarat; UP) · ships via Nhava Sheva · season: Year-round; herb harvests seasonal (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Formats | Hair oils 100-500 ml, shampoos 100-1,000 ml, soaps 75-125 g, creams 50-100 g (typical) |
| Formulation basis | Botanical extracts and oils; preservative systems acceptable under EU Annex V for EU buyers (typical) |
| Stability | Accelerated stability 3-6 months at 40 °C/75% RH (typical) |
| Microbiology | Per ISO 17516 limits (typical) |
| Claims | Cosmetic claims only unless registered as a medicine (typical) |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / airway bill
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- Certificate of analysis
- Safety data sheet
- Product information file inputs (formula, stability, GMP)
- Free sale certificate
- Halal certificate where required
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for herbal cosmetics & personal care exported from India?
Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care is usually classified under HS 330590 (Preparations for use on the hair - other (e.g. hair oils)). Skin-care is 3304.99, shampoos 3305.10, soaps 3401.11, toothpaste 3306.10. Products sold as Ayurvedic medicines (with therapeutic claims) can fall under 3004 - classify by product.
Where is herbal cosmetics & personal care produced in India?
Main clusters: Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%), Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana; Haridwar SIDCUL industrial estate / Kerala Ayurveda belt, Uttarakhand; Kerala; Karnataka; Gujarat; UP.
Which documents are needed to export herbal cosmetics & personal care?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading / airway bill, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Certificate of analysis, Safety data sheet, Product information file inputs (formula, stability, GMP). Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
Who is the 'Responsible Person' for my brand?
In the EU and UK, a legal entity based in that market, usually the brand owner or importer. We provide the plant's documents needed for the product information file.
Can I use 'Ayurvedic' claims?
Cosmetic products should make cosmetic claims only. Therapeutic claims can turn a product into a medicine that needs registration.
What is the minimum order?
Usually 3,000-10,000 units per SKU, depending on the packaging components.
Market guides
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Netherlands
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to United States
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Canada
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to United Arab Emirates
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Saudi Arabia
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to United Kingdom
Get a quote for herbal cosmetics & personal care
Share grade, quantity and destination port. We reply within one business day.