Korean Cosmetics Labeling Requirements for India: Complete CDSCO Registration & Legal Metrology Compliance Guide 2026

Silvereye Certifications
4 days ago
7 min read

What You Will Learn in This Guide:

Mandatory label fields required on every Korean cosmetic imported into India under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules
Step-by-step CDSCO cosmetics registration process for foreign-origin K-beauty products, including Form COS-1 application and NOC requirements
Legal Metrology India declaration compliance — net quantity, MRP, importer details, and country-of-origin rules for Korean skincare & makeup
2026-updated fee structure, document checklist, validity periods, and renewal timelines so you can plan your India market entry without delays

What Are the Korean Cosmetics Labelling Requirements for India?

Korean cosmetics labelling requirements for India are governed by the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940, CDSCO cosmetics regulations, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011. Every K-beauty product imported into India must carry an English-language label showing: product name, full ingredient list (INCI names), net quantity, manufacturing and expiry date, country of origin (South Korea), manufacturer name & address, Indian importer name & address, CDSCO registration or NOC number, MRP inclusive of all taxes, and batch/lot number. Failure to comply results in product seizure or import rejection at Indian customs.

Why Korean Cosmetics Need Special Labelling Compliance in India

India is the third-largest beauty market in Asia-Pacific, and Korean skincare imports also grew quite a bit, over 38% between 2022 and 2024. Still, the regulatory environment in India is pretty strict. In fact, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare oversees all cosmetics that are imported into India.

So, Korean brands and their Indian import partners must satisfy two different sets of rules first: CDSCO registration requirements plus Legal Metrology labelling standards only after that can a product legally enter the Indian market.

If you are a Korean cosmetics brand, an Indian importer, or maybe a distribution partner, this guide has the details you need to follow—no heavy legal jargon, no hassle, just the core requirements.

Indian Laws & Regulations That Govern Korean Cosmetic Labels

Understanding which law applies to your Korean cosmetic product is the first step to compliance. Here are the key regulations:

Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940	CDSCO / MoHFW	Import, manufacture, and sale of cosmetics in India
D&C Rules, Schedule S	CDSCO	Standards for cosmetics quality & labelling
Legal Metrology (PC) Rules, 2011	Dept. of Consumer Affairs	MRP, net quantity, importer declaration
Cosmetics Rules, 2020	CDSCO	Import license (Form COS-1), NOC process

LSI & Semantic Keywords used in this section: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, cosmetics labelling, CDSCO Schedule S, Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules India, cosmetics import license India, Form COS-1 India cosmetics

Mandatory Label Requirements for Korean Cosmetics in India (2026 Checklist)

Every Korean cosmetic product sold or imported into India must display the following information on its label in English (or English and Hindi). This is non-negotiable.

Mandatory Label Fields — Complete Checklist

1	Product Name	As declared by the manufacturer; must be legible
2	INCI Ingredient List	All ingredients in descending order of concentration (Schedule S, Rule 148)
3	Net Quantity / Net Weight	In metric units (g/ml) — Legal Metrology Rule 6
4	Manufacturing Date	Month and Year (MM/YYYY)
5	Best Before / Expiry Date	Month and Year or Period After Opening (PAO) symbol
6	Country of Origin	"Made in the Republic of Korea" or "Product of South Korea"
7	Manufacturer Name & Address	Full Korean manufacturer details in English
8	Indian Importer Name & Address	Name, full postal address, and PIN code of the Indian importer
9	CDSCO Registration / NOC Number	Form COS-1 approval or NOC reference number
10	MRP (incl. all taxes)	In INR, "MRP Rs. XX (Inclusive of all taxes)" — Mandatory
11	Batch / Lot Number	For traceability and recall compliance
12	Directions for Use	How to apply: language: English minimum
13	Warnings & Precautions	e.g., "Keep away from eyes", allergy warnings
14	Customer Care / Helpline	Indian importer contact number or email

Sticker Labelling (Relabeling) — Is It Allowed?

Yes. Indian importers can affix a supplementary sticker label on Korean cosmetics to add India-specific mandatory information (MRP, importer details, CDSCO number) without replacing the original Korean label — provided the sticker does not cover the ingredient list or expiry date of the original label. This is the most common compliance method used by K-beauty importers in India.

CDSCO Cosmetics Registration for Korean Products — How It Works

CDSCO registration (Import License under Form COS-1) is the most critical step for bringing Korean cosmetics legally into India. Here is the complete process for 2026:

Who Needs to Apply?

Indian importer or authorised agent of the Korean manufacturer
The Korean manufacturer cannot apply directly — an Indian entity is required
One CDSCO license covers multiple products from the same Korean manufacturer (product-wise endorsement)

CDSCO Registration Process — Step by Step

1	Register on SUGAM Portal (sugamapp.cdsco.gov.in)	Free; create an importer account
2	Compile required documents (see Section 5)	Allow 2–4 weeks for the Korean manufacturer to prepare
3	Submit Form COS-1 online with product list	Fee payment via the SUGAM portal
4	CDSCO technical scrutiny/queries	Respond within 30 days of any query
5	Grant of Import License (Form COS-1)	Typically 60–90 working days
6	Affix the CDSCO number on the India label/sticker	Before the first shipment

Documents Required for CDSCO Cosmetics Registration (Korean Products)

Here is the complete document checklist for the Korean cosmetics import license application in India. All foreign-language documents (Korean) must be accompanied by certified English translations.

From the Korean Manufacturer

Free Sale Certificate (FSC) issued by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) — apostilled or notarised
Certificate of Manufacture and Free Sale (CMFS)
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Certificate for the Korean facility
Full Ingredient/Formulation Details (INCI ingredient list with percentage composition)
Product specification sheet and Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Safety Data / Toxicology summary (for new ingredients)
An authorisation letter from the Korean manufacturer appointing the Indian importer
Product label/pack artwork as sold in South Korea

From the Indian Importer

Form COS-1 filled out and signed
Indian company incorporation certificate / GST registration
Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT
Undertaking/declaration of compliance with Indian cosmetics regulations
Proposed India label (with all mandatory fields — see Section 3)
Power of Attorney (if an agent is filing on behalf of the importer)

CDSCO Registration Fee & Validity (2026)

Application Fee (Form COS-1)	INR 3,000 per product (approx.); confirm on SUGAM portal for 2026 updates
Additional Product Endorsement	INR 1,000 per additional product on the same license
License Validity	3 years from the date of the grant
Renewal Period	Apply for renewal 6 months before expiry
Renewal Fee	Same as fresh application fee (INR 3,000 per product)
Late Renewal Penalty	An additional fee is applicable if the renewal is filed after expiry

Legal Metrology Compliance for Korean Cosmetics in India

Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 — commonly called LM-PC Rules — apply to every pre-packaged Korean cosmetic product imported and sold in India. This is separate from CDSCO registration and must be met simultaneously.

Key Legal Metrology Label Requirements

MRP (Maximum Retail Price): Printed as "MRP Rs. XX/- (Inclusive of all taxes)" — cannot be changed by the retailer
Net Quantity: In metric units only — grams (g) or millilitres (ml). Dual declaration in Oz is not required, but not prohibited
Month and Year of Manufacture: Format: MM/YYYY on every pack
Importer Name & Address: The Indian importer's complete address must appear on the label or sticker
Country of Origin: "Made in the Republic of Korea" — mandatory under Legal Metrology Act 2009
Customer Care Contact: Indian toll-free or helpline number of the importer

MRP Sticker Rules — What Korean Importers Often Get Wrong

Many Korean cosmetics arrive in India with a sticker added by the Indian importer for MRP and importer details. This is legal. However, the sticker must not cover the original product name, expiry date, or ingredient list. The MRP sticker must clearly show the inclusive-of-taxes price in INR, and the unit sale price must be calculable for multi-packs.

Restricted & Prohibited Ingredients in Indian Cosmetics Law

Before importing Korean cosmetics, it is essential to verify that the formulation does not contain any ingredient restricted or prohibited under Indian cosmetics regulations. Schedule Q of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules lists prohibited substances.

Common Ingredients to Watch For

Hydroquinone: Restricted — not allowed in cosmetics (only in pharma formulations with prescription)
Mercury & mercury compounds: Banned in all cosmetics
Certain plant extracts: Must comply with AYUSH and CDSCO guidelines if claimed therapeutic
Parabens (some combinations): Monitored; concentration limits apply
Kojic acid: Allowed in cosmetics but concentration-restricted
Retinol / Vitamin A derivatives: Permissible; concentration and labelling warnings required

K-Beauty Product Categories & Their India Regulatory Treatment

Korean Skincare (moisturiser, serum, toner)	Cosmetic	CDSCO CT-19 + Legal Metrology
Korean Sunscreen (SPF 15+)	Cosmetic (not OTC drug)	SPF claim permitted; CDSCO registration mandatory
Korean Hair Colour / Dye	Cosmetic	PPD-free & heavy metal limits apply
Korean BB Cream / Foundation	Cosmetic	Pigment and colourant restrictions per Schedule Q
Korean Lip Products (lipstick, gloss)	Cosmetic	Lead limits apply; safety data needed
Korean Anti-ageing / Whitening Creams	Cosmetic	No drug claims allowed; only cosmetic claims
Korean Hair Growth Serums (Minoxidil-based)	Drug — NOT cosmetic	Requires Drug license (Form 10), not Form COS-1

Timeline: From Korean Factory to Indian Shelf

Document collection from the Korean manufacturer	2–4 weeks
CDSCO Form COS-1 application submission	1–2 weeks (once documents are ready)
CDSCO scrutiny & query resolution	4–8 weeks
Grant of Import License	60–90 working days total
Artwork/label design for India market	1–2 weeks (parallel to above)
First shipment + customs clearance	1–3 weeks after the license is received
Total end-to-end market entry timeline	Approximately 4–6 months

Renewal of CDSCO Import License — What You Need to Know

CDSCO cosmetics import licenses are valid for 3 years. Here is what you need to remember for renewal:

Start the renewal process at least 6 months before expiry to avoid a lapse in import permission
Renewal requires the same documents as a fresh application — especially an updated Free Sale Certificate from the Korean MFDS
If the Korean manufacturer's address or GMP certificate has changed, updated documents are mandatory
Products can continue to be imported during the renewal process if the renewal. New products added to an existing license require a product endorsement (additional fee per product)

Conclusion: Getting Korean Cosmetics Labelling Right for India in 2026

The Korean cosmetics labelling requirements for India are detailed but manageable with the right preparation. The two pillars of compliance are: (1) CDSCO Form COS-1 import registration, and (2) Legal Metrology label declaration. Meeting both — along with the correct English-language label information, ingredient compliance, and MRP declaration — ensures your K-beauty products can enter and thrive in the Indian market legally.

The Indian opportunity for Korean cosmetics is enormous, with Indian consumers increasingly embracing K-beauty skincare routines, sheet masks, glass skin products, and cushion foundations. Getting the regulatory compliance right from the start is the difference between a successful India launch and shipments stuck at customs.