The Singapore market for Indian herbal cosmetics & personal care
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive notification per country (e.g. Indonesia BPOM, Singapore HSA); Indonesia is phasing in mandatory halal for cosmetics (date per our research is an ASSUMPTION).
Indian community in Singapore (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 483,199 (NRI 450,000 + PIO 23,199; ethnic Indians ~9% of residents).
Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care specification for Singapore orders
| Parameter | Typical export 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) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Singapore requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Singapore
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | HSA | Cosmetic product notification; health product registration |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping herbal cosmetics & personal care to Singapore
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Singapore: 7-12 days. Direct services; SFA import permit via TradeNet per consignment
Supply window: Indian herbal cosmetics & personal care is mainly produced or harvested Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows); Year-round; herb harvests seasonal (ASSUMPTION). Allow 7-12 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Singapore customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~10 pallets; volume-limited (liquids may hit ~14-18 MT), 40' HC ~20-21 pallets.
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CIF, DAP; CIF Singapore is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Singapore
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Port of Singapore (PSA Tuas & Pasir Panjang) - world's largest transshipment hub · Singapo | Indian diaspora grocers & HORECA (Little India), regional re-export traders (ASEAN), pharma/biotech |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import herbal cosmetics & personal care into Singapore?
Key requirements: Notification — HSA (Cosmetic product notification; health product registration). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Singapore take?
Typically 7-12 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Singapore, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Singapore have a trade agreement with India?
India–Singapore CECA in force since 2005 (reviewed 2018; 3rd review ongoing); also ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) 2010, under review [S7] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to herbal cosmetics & personal care from India?
Usually HS 330590. Singapore applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
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.
Related guides
Request a quote: herbal cosmetics & personal care to Singapore
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Singapore. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.