Key facts
- India exported US$2,062 million of cosmetics & toiletries in FY2024-25 (chemexcil.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable
- 2 production clusters mapped, in Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana, Uttarakhand; Kerala; Karnataka; Gujarat; UP.
- Market guides for 24 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, Halal certificate, India Organic (NPOP), WHO-GMP.
- Typical minimum order: 3,000-10,000 units per SKU for private label (typical).
Product overview
India has a large cosmetics manufacturing base in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh (Baddi), Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Delhi NCR. Cosmetics and toiletries exports were about US$2.06 bn for April-December FY2024-25 (CHEMEXCIL, chapters 33/34).
The opportunity for a trading house is private-label and contract manufacturing: herbal hair oils (amla, bhringraj, coconut-based), herbal shampoos, Ayurvedic soaps, ubtan and face packs, and kajal-style products, made to the buyer's formula or a stock formula.
Each market has its own notification and labelling rules (EU CPNP, US MoCRA, Saudi SFDA, ASEAN). The brand owner or importer is normally the responsible person, and we coordinate the dossier inputs from the plant.
HS note: 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.
Specifications
| 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) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Stock formulas
Plant's existing formulas with buyer branding - fastest route.
Custom formulas
Developed to the buyer's brief; longer lead time.
Certified natural / organic
COSMOS or similar via certified plants (ASSUMPTION - availability varies).
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | PET/HDPE bottles, tubes, jars, cartons printed to buyer artwork | — |
| Shipper | 5-ply cartons on pallets | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~10 pallets; volume-limited (liquids may hit ~14-18 MT) · 40' HC ~20-21 pallets. Palletised retail goods
Customisation: Formula development, fragrance, packaging and multilingual artwork
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Himachal Pradesh
Solan
Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Thane, Palghar
Uttarakhand
Haridwar
SIDCUL Ayurveda/herbal units
Gujarat
Ahmedabad
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU: cosmetics need an EU Responsible Person, a Product Information File and safety assessment, and CPNP notification before sale (Reg. (EC) 1223/2009).
United States & Canada
USA: under MoCRA the facility must be registered with FDA and each product listed; adverse-event reporting and safety substantiation apply. FDA issued final guidance on mandatory recalls on 29 Oct 2026.
United Kingdom
UK Responsible Person and SCPN notification before sale (ASSUMPTION based on UK cosmetics regulation).
Gulf (GCC)
Saudi SFDA requires cosmetic notification (Ghad) and GSO 1943 labelling; UAE needs conformity (MoIAT) and Dubai Montaji registration.
Southeast Asia
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).
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Batch CoA (pH, viscosity, microbials)
- • Stability and challenge-test reports
- • Artwork and label compliance check
- • Pre-shipment inspection on request
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • Halal certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • WHO-GMP
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • 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
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Cosmetics & toiletries | 2,061.9 | verified | chemexcil.in |
Top destinations: unavailable
Export markets
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Canada
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to United States
- 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
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Netherlands
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Oman
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Singapore
- Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care exporter to Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do you offer stock formulas?
Yes. Partner plants have tested formulas for hair oils, shampoos, soaps and face packs that can carry your brand.
Can products be halal-certified?
Yes, through plants with recognised halal certification. This matters for Indonesia, Malaysia and GCC buyers.
Request a quote for Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care (Private Label)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
