Import Licensing

Import Licensing Services

COS-1 and COS-2 registration under Cosmetics Rules 2020, Rule 13 — from SUGAM portal submission to license issuance.

Rule 12(1)Cosmetics Rules 2020Form COS-1Only application form acceptedPerpetual validityFee payable every 5 years180 daysCDSCO's targeted processing time

No cosmetic can be imported into India unless it is registered under Rule 12(1) of the Cosmetics Rules 2020. Every application is filed in Form COS-1 through the CDSCO SUGAM portal at cdscoonline.gov.in — there is no offline route. The Central Licensing Authority issues the Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2 under Rule 13 once the application is complete and approved. Registration is granted in perpetuity, subject to a retention fee payable every five years. Cosmetics Consultants India manages the complete process: eligibility assessment, document preparation, SUGAM portal filing, query response, and COS-2 receipt.

What is the CDSCO SUGAM Portal?

What SUGAM is

The SUGAM portal is the Central Government's mandatory online platform, operated by CDSCO under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Every cosmetics import registration application under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 — from the initial Form COS-1 filing through to Form COS-2 issuance — is processed exclusively through this portal.

The Process

How Import Registration works — Step by Step

STEP 1
Eligibility Check
STEP 2
Document Preparation
STEP 3
SUGAM Portal Filing
STEP 4
Query Response
STEP 5
COS-2 Issuance

STEP 1

Eligibility Check

1STEP 1

Eligibility Check

Confirm product classification under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and determine the correct application track. Identify all categories, manufacturing sites, and variants — fees are assessed per category ($1,000 USD), per manufacturing site ($500 USD), and per variant ($50 USD).

Determines your total fee liability

2STEP 2

Document Preparation

Assemble the complete COS-1 submission set: covering letter, Form COS-1, Part-I of the Second Schedule, Letter of Authorisation (apostilled or embassy-authenticated), Free Sale Certificate, manufacturing license, product composition data in INCI nomenclature, finished product test reports including heavy metals, labels, and all mandatory undertakings (non-animal testing; heavy metals and hexachlorophene compliance).

Most rejections originate here

3STEP 3

SUGAM Portal Filing

Submit the Form COS-1 application through the correct module on the CDSCO SUGAM portal at sugam.gov.in. All documents must be coloured scanned copies. Every form must carry the original signature, stamp, name, and designation of the signatory. Filing under the wrong module or from an unregistered account results in rejection at intake.

Electronic only — sugam.gov.in

4STEP 4

Query Response

CDSCO raises queries when documents are inconsistent, signatures are missing, labels carry drug claims, or test reports are non-compliant. There is no legally prescribed deadline for the applicant to respond, but the rules require the response to be "reasonable and justifiable." Delays extend your timeline directly. Cosmetics Consultants India prepares and submits query responses on your behalf.

Every day of delay is your delay

5STEP 5

COS-2 Issuance

The Central Licensing Authority grants Form COS-2 under Rule 13 once the application is complete in all respects. The legal maximum is 6 months from application date; CDSCO’s internal target is 90 days. COS-2 is valid in perpetuity — a retention fee is due every five years.

Valid permanently — fee due every 5 years

Import Licensing services

Services under this pillar

Authorised Agent Registration

Rule 3(d) of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 requires every COS-1 applicant to appoint an Authorised Agent — a person in India fully responsible for the manufacturer's regulatory compliance. We act as Authorised Agent for foreign manufacturers across all product categories.

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CDSCO Cosmetics Import License: Fees and Timeline

Complete fee schedule and processing timeline for COS-1 and COS-2 import registration under the Cosmetics Rules 2020. Covers category, site, and variant fees; Rule 14 retention obligations; Rule 15 amendment fees; and statutory timeline mechanics.

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COS-1 Import Registration Certificate

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COS-2 Import Registration Certificate

COS-2 is the import registration certificate issued to the foreign manufacturer under Rule 13 of the Cosmetics Rules 2020. Valid in perpetuity subject to 5-yearly retention fees under Rule 14. Distinct from the Indian importer's COS-1 license — both are required for lawful import.

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Endorsement & Amendment of Cosmetics Registrations

Rule 15 of the Cosmetics Rules 2020 governs all post-approval changes to COS-1 and COS-2. Three distinct tracks apply: endorsement of additional products, amendment of name or address, and change in constitution requiring fresh registration.

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Import Licensing Overview

Rule 12(1) of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 prohibits import of any cosmetic without a valid Registration Certificate. This page covers the complete framework: COS-1 application, COS-2 grant, COS-4 secondary import, renewal under Rule 14, and the four compliance pillars every importer must satisfy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I want to import cosmetics into India. Do I need to register each product separately, or can I register my entire brand at once?+

You cannot register a brand — you register specific products from a specific manufacturer. A single Form COS-1 application and a single Form COS-2 certificate can cover multiple products, provided they are manufactured at the same factory or factories functioning conjointly. Products are assessed and charged by category ($1,000 USD per category), manufacturing site ($500 USD per site), and variant ($50 USD per variant). Different pack sizes of the same product are not counted as variants — they are listed alongside the product on the certificate at no additional fee.

My cosmetics are already registered in Europe and the US. Do I still need a separate registration to sell in India?+

Yes. Registration in other jurisdictions does not exempt you from Indian requirements. Under Rule 12(1) of the Cosmetics Rules 2020, no cosmetic can be imported unless it is specifically registered with India’s Central Licensing Authority via Form COS-1. Your existing foreign registrations are not wasted — you must submit a list of countries where marketing authorisation has already been granted, along with copies of those authorisations. You will also need a Free Sale Certificate from the national regulatory authority of your country of origin as part of the COS-1 submission set.

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