If goods arrive with Korean labels lacking MRP, importer and customer-care details, stickers must be applied in a bonded warehouse and sales are delayed. Finalise the Indian label before the first shipment.
BY FIELD · Import & Labelling
IEC, duties, CDSCO, FSSAI & Legal Metrology labels
Duties, product licences and mandatory label declarations all apply at import. Cosmetics need CDSCO registration first; food needs FSSAI.
For: every company importing Korean-made products to sell in IndiaWhat you must do
Required
Official
Issued by the DGFT. Renew every year even if nothing changed, or it is deactivated
Source: Adullam column · 2026-10-11 ↗Conditional
Official
20% basic customs duty + social welfare surcharge (10% of duty) + 18% IGST (e.g. face cream 33049910)
Source: EximPe (CBIC tariff) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
Official
Apply with Form COS-1 on the CDSCO SUGAM portal; no imports before COS-2 is issued. The Indian importer, subsidiary or agent applies
Source: S.S. Rana & Co. · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
Official
Manufacturer authorisation, ingredients and concentrations, labels, test methods, free sale certificate, declarations on no animal testing and heavy metals, etc.
Source: CDSCO (official) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
To verify
Quoted at US$1,000 per category, $50 per variant and $500 per manufacturing site
Source: CliniExperts · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
Official
No food imports without a licence. NOC from FICS at customs
Source: FSSAI (official) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
Official
Importer name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number — can be applied in a bonded warehouse
Source: FSSAI (official) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Conditional
To verify
At least 60% remaining shelf life at clearance is reportedly required
Source: Corpseed · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Required
Official
Manufacturer, packer or importer name and address, country of origin, product name, net quantity, date of manufacture, MRP, customer-care contact
Source: Mondaq (S.S. Rana) · 2022-10 ↗Required
Official
Since the 2017 amendment, e-commerce listings must also show manufacturer, net quantity, MRP, country of origin and more
Source: MediaNama · 2026-03 ↗Conditional
Adullam
BIS, FSSAI and CDSCO certification through Adullam Certification
Source: Adullam Consulting · 2026-10-20 checked ↗Steps & deadlines
- 1 weekConfirm HS code and calculate dutyAdullam · Source: EximPe (CBIC tariff) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗
- 1–2 weeksIEC issuedDGFT · Source: Adullam column · 2026-10-11 ↗
- Weeks to monthsCDSCO, FSSAI and BIS licencesEach agency · Source: S.S. Rana & Co. · 2026-10-20 checked ↗
- 1–2 weeksReview the Indian label draftAdullam · Source: Mondaq (S.S. Rana) · 2022-10 ↗
- ShipmentCustoms clearance (BOE · FICS NOC)Customs, FSSAI · Source: FSSAI (official) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗
- InboundLabels applied in bonded warehouse → saleImporter · Source: FSSAI (official) · 2026-10-20 checked ↗
Documents to prepare
- Ingredient list and product specification
- Free sale certificate (FSC)
- Manufacturer authorisation
- Current label artwork
- Invoice and packing list
Time & fees Example
- Duration
- Licences in about 2–6 months (example)
- Fees
- Quote by number of items
- Deliverables
- HS and duty review, licences, Indian label draft
Related Adullam platform
BIS, CDSCO and FSSAI certification in detail at Adullam Certification
Adullam Certification ↗Recent cases
According to MFDS statistics, Korea's cosmetics exports reached US$11.4 billion in 2025, second in the world, and KITA named India, alongside Türkiye, Mexico and Thailand, as a new promising market, recommending online marketing centred on skincare basics.
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