9 July 2025
China’s Role in Global Cosmetics Manufacturing: Market Trends, Trade Dynamics & Regulatory Requirements
China has long moved beyond being just a low-cost manufacturing hub. Today, it is a global leader in both the production and consumption of cosmetics. The country boasts world-class infrastructure, advanced OEM/ODM capabilities, and a fast-evolving regulatory framework. As of 2025, China is the world’s second-largest cosmetics market, and its manufacturing sector is central to the supply chain strategies of global brands.
But while its growth is undeniable, operating in and sourcing from China also means navigating complex regulatory requirements—especially in light of recent US tariffs and evolving global compliance pressures.
China’s Manufacturing & Market Strength
China’s success is built on:
- Unmatched production scale: The country supports both domestic and global cosmetic brands through its advanced OEM/ODM infrastructure.
- “Made in China 2025” strategy: A national policy to shift toward high-value manufacturing and technological self-reliance.
- Digital-first consumer base: Local brands rise quickly by leveraging social commerce, AI, and rapid product launches.
In 2025, China’s cosmetics market is expected to reach $10.84 billion, growing to $17.23 billion by 2030. Categories such as skincare, color cosmetics, and hair care dominate both domestic consumption and global exports.
Trade Trends: Exports Up, Imports Tighten
- Cosmetics exports from China exceed $4.85 billion, with top destinations including the U.S., Japan, Hong Kong, and the EU.
- Imports are plateauing due to increased local production, economic slowdown, and rising nationalism.
- Color cosmetics and packaging components remain highly export-oriented.
- China’s trade surplus in personal care highlights its manufacturing dominance, but also growing geopolitical friction.
Mastering China’s cosmetic market requires navigating not just factories and supply chains, but also NMPA filings and global trade shifts.
U.S. Tariffs and Supply Chain Shock
Since 2024, the U.S. has imposed escalating tariffs on Chinese cosmetics—up to 145% on certain skincare and haircare products. These measures aim to reduce reliance on Chinese imports, but they have disrupted the supply chains of many American and international brands relying on Chinese OEMs.
Consequences include:
- Sharp increases in landed costs for U.S. importers.
- Brands seeking alternative sourcing in Vietnam, South Korea, and Mexico.
- Pricing pressure in the mass market, especially in beauty retailers and DTC channels.
- A regulatory ripple effect, as brands must re-evaluate formulation, labeling, and product origin to remain compliant.
Regulatory Landscape for Cosmetics in China (NMPA)
Operating in China requires alignment with the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), which governs cosmetic product registration, safety, and labeling.
Key components of the Chinese regulatory framework include:
- Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR): Came into force in 2021, replacing older laws and introducing more rigorous standards.
- Ingredient safety assessments: Required for all cosmetic ingredients, particularly for high-risk substances and new ingredients.
- Animal testing: No longer required for some general-use imported cosmetics (e.g., shampoo, makeup), provided certain documentation (e.g., GMP certificates) is presented.
- Claims substantiation: Marketing claims like “anti-aging,” “whitening,” or “acne-reducing” must be supported by scientific evidence filed through the NMPA portal.
- Labeling compliance: Must be in simplified Chinese and include ingredient INCI names, responsible entity, safety warnings, and batch codes.
- Local Responsible Person: Non-Chinese brands must appoint a Chinese legal entity responsible for compliance.
This evolving framework aligns more closely with global standards—but it still requires careful local adaptation. Regulatory missteps can lead to product bans, customs blocks, or enforcement actions.
How Biorius Supports Regulatory Compliance in China and Beyond
At Biorius, we offer deep regulatory expertise to guide brands through the complexities of the Chinese market:
Our services include:
- Chinese Market Entry Strategy: We help assess whether your products fall under general or special-use cosmetics and determine the optimal route to registration or notification.
- Ingredient & Claims Review: We verify ingredient compliance with China’s Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC) and ensure claims meet NMPA substantiation standards.
- Labeling & Packaging Compliance: We ensure Chinese language labels, ingredient lists, claims, and safety statements are fully compliant.
- PIF Documentation: We assist in compiling the appropriate safety and quality files required for Chinese authorities.
As your trusted partner, we also provide multi-market compliance strategies, ensuring that formulations and claims align across the EU, US, China, Canada, and other regions—minimizing duplication of effort and market fragmentation.
Conclusion
China remains indispensable in the global cosmetics value chain, both as a manufacturing base and a fast-growing consumer market. Yet, in 2025, navigating this opportunity demands strategic foresight. Between rising U.S. tariffs and a tightening regulatory environment under NMPA, brands must align not just their supply chains—but their compliance practices—with evolving standards.
Author
Biorius
First Class specialists in cosmetic regulations in Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and in more than 60 countries
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9 July 2025
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