A cosmetic licence is the permission under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 that lets you manufacture cosmetics in India, issued by the State Licensing Authority, or import them, which requires an Import Registration Certificate from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This page explains which route applies to you, the forms and verified government fees, documents, labelling rules and the practical points that decide whether an application moves smoothly.
What is a cosmetic licence in India?
Cosmetics in India are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and since 2020 the detailed rules are in the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. The Rules separate three activities: importing cosmetics, manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution, and manufacturing under a loan licence, where one company has the product made at another company's licensed factory.
For imports, the legal document is a Registration Certificate issued by CDSCO. The importer or manufacturer's authorised agent applies in Form COS-1 on the SUGAM portal, and CDSCO issues the Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2. The application is made per category of cosmetic and lists the manufacturing sites and product variants. The foreign manufacturer authorises the Indian agent or importer through a properly authenticated authorisation letter.
For manufacturing, the State Licensing Authority grants the licence. The Delhi Drugs Control Department, for example, publishes forms and fees under which a manufacturing licence application is made in Form COS-5 and the licence is issued in Form COS-8, while a loan licence application is made in Form COS-6 and issued in Form COS-9. Other states follow the same Rules but their online portals, inspection practices and timelines differ, so confirm the local process before starting.
A cosmetic licence is different from product-specific rules on labelling and Indian Standards, from a drug licence for medicines, and from an AYUSH licence for traditional medicines. Products that make therapeutic claims can be treated as drugs, so the claim on the pack matters. Cosmetics also need to meet BIS standards where mandatory, such as the standard for hair and skin products, which is why the labelling and ingredient review is part of every application.
Who needs a cosmetic licence?
You need a licence or registration if you make or import cosmetics for sale or distribution in India. Typical applicants include:
- Manufacturers of creams, lotions, shampoos, hair oils, soaps, perfumes, lipsticks and similar products
- Brand owners who have products made by a third party and need a loan licence or a contract manufacturer with a licence
- Importers and Indian agents of foreign cosmetic brands
- Foreign manufacturers who sell to India and must appoint an authorised agent
- Start-ups and D2C brands launching private label cosmetics
- Manufacturers of herbal or natural personal care products that fall within the definition of cosmetics
Benefits of Cosmetic Licence
Lawful manufacture, import and sale
Manufacturing or importing cosmetics without the required licence or registration contravenes the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and can lead to seizure and prosecution.
Marketplace and retail acceptance
E-commerce platforms, distributors and retail chains ask for the licence number or import registration number before listing cosmetics.
Defined quality and labelling rules
The Rules require labelling, safe ingredients and good manufacturing practice, which protects the brand from complaints and enforcement.
Export readiness
A licensed, GMP-compliant unit finds it easier to satisfy overseas buyers and importing country authorities.
Trust for consumers
A visible licence number on the label signals that the product comes from a regulated source.
Eligibility & applicability
Requirements differ for manufacture and import. Check the points that apply to your route.
- Manufacturing: premises with adequate space, separate areas for manufacture, packing and storage, water supply, drainage and facilities that meet the conditions in the Rules for premises and equipment
- Manufacturing: qualified technical staff as specified in the Rules, such as a person with the required degree in pharmacy, science or equivalent, as per the current rule text
- Loan licence: the contract manufacturer must hold a valid manufacturing licence for the same category
- Import: the manufacturer, its authorised agent, an Indian importer or an Indian subsidiary authorised by the manufacturer can apply, with a duly authenticated authorisation
- Import: a manufacturing licence, registration or marketing authorisation from the country of origin, or an undertaking if none exists, and a Free Sale Certificate
- Products must meet ingredient restrictions, labelling rules and any mandatory Indian Standards, and import of cosmetics tested on animals after the cut-off date is not allowed
Documents required
Applicant and premises documents (manufacture)
- Constitution proof: incorporation certificate, partnership deed or proprietor details, and PAN
- Ownership or lease proof of premises with site plan and layout
- Details of technical staff with qualification and experience proof
- List of machinery and equipment and details of testing facility or arrangement
- Fee payment challan and application in Form COS-5 or COS-6 for loan licence
Product documents (manufacture)
- List of cosmetics by category with ingredient lists
- Master formula and manufacturing process outline
- Label samples meeting the Rules
- Undertaking on compliance with the Rules and good manufacturing practice
Import registration documents (CDSCO, Form COS-1)
- Covering letter and signed, stamped Form COS-1
- Manufacturer's authorisation to the Indian agent in the format of the First Schedule, authenticated before a First Class Magistrate, equivalent authority abroad, Indian Embassy or by Apostille
- Ingredient list with percentages, specifications and testing methods, signed and stamped
- Original labels for each product and variant
- Manufacturing licence or equivalent from country of origin, or undertaking, plus original Free Sale Certificate with product list
- Non-animal testing undertaking and heavy metal and hexachlorophene declaration, and fee receipt
Step-by-step cosmetic licence process
The steps depend on whether you manufacture or import. Both begin with classifying your products and checking labels and ingredients.
Classify the product and route
Decide whether the product is a cosmetic or a drug, based on its composition and claims. Then choose the route: own manufacture, loan licence, or import registration. A therapeutic claim can bring the product under drug rules.
Check ingredients and standards
Review ingredients against the restrictions in the Rules and applicable Indian Standards, and confirm that heavy metal and prohibited substance limits are met. Complete this before preparing documents.
Prepare premises or authorisations
For manufacture, set up the premises, equipment and technical staff. For import, obtain the manufacturer's authorisation, Free Sale Certificate and country-of-origin documents, correctly authenticated.
Pay the government fee
For import, pay through Bharatkosh and keep the acknowledgement for upload. For manufacture, pay as per the State Licensing Authority's process, for example the fee schedule published by the Delhi Drugs Control Department.
File the application
Manufacture: file Form COS-5, or COS-6 for a loan licence, with the State Licensing Authority. Import: file Form COS-1 online on the SUGAM portal with all documents and the fee receipt.
Inspection (manufacture) or scrutiny (import)
The State drugs inspector visits the premises to verify conditions and staff. CDSCO scrutinises import documents and may raise deficiencies, many of which are common and listed in its published non-compliance guidance.
Respond to queries
Answer each query completely with signed and stamped documents, and ensure that all names, addresses and product lists match across forms, labels and authorisations.
Grant
The State Licensing Authority issues the manufacturing licence in Form COS-8, or loan licence in Form COS-9. CDSCO issues the Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2.
Label and launch
Print labels with the licence or registration number and mandatory information before releasing products, and set up batch records and retention of samples.
Government fees for a cosmetic licence
Fees depend on the route. The figures below come from the Delhi Drugs Control Department's fee schedule for manufacturing licences and from the CDSCO guidance document on import registration, which refers to the Third Schedule of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Other states may differ.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing licence (Delhi): per category, up to 10 items | ₹10,000 | Delhi Drugs Control Department fee schedule |
| Manufacturing licence (Delhi): each additional item beyond 10 | ₹500 per item | Delhi Drugs Control Department fee schedule |
| Import registration: grant or retention, per category | USD 1,000 | CDSCO guidance; paid through Bharatkosh |
| Import registration: each additional category | USD 1,000 | CDSCO guidance |
| Import registration: per manufacturing site | USD 500 | CDSCO guidance |
| Import registration: per variant | USD 50 | CDSCO guidance |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority. Late retention carries additional charges under the Delhi schedule, and fees in other states may differ, so confirm them before paying.
How long does a cosmetic licence take?
The time depends on completeness of documents, inspection scheduling and the number of queries. Manufacturing licences depend on the State Licensing Authority's inspection calendar. Import registrations are decided by CDSCO within the period set by the Rules, and authentication of foreign documents usually takes the longest on the applicant's side. We do not promise a fixed period because it is controlled by the authority.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Product classification and ingredient review | 1–2 weeks |
| Premises set-up or document authentication abroad | 2–6 weeks, depending on readiness |
| Application scrutiny and inspection or CDSCO review | Depends on the authority and queries; check rule periods at filing |
| Grant and label finalisation | 1–2 weeks after grant |
Validity & renewal
Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 licences and registrations are linked to payment of a retention fee at the prescribed intervals rather than the earlier fixed renewal cycles. Secondary sources describe import registrations as continuing with retention fees every five years, and the Delhi fee schedule shows additional charges for late retention, but we have not confirmed the exact retention period for manufacturing licences from the Rules text. Check the rule and your grant for the retention due date and pay it before it lapses, as delayed retention attracts additional fees.
Compliance after the licence
- Print the manufacturing licence or import registration number on labels as the Rules require
- Show on labels: product name, manufacturer details, batch number, manufacturing and expiry date or period after opening, net contents, directions for use, warnings and ingredient list as required
- Follow good manufacturing practice and maintain batch records, testing records and sample retention
- Pay retention fees before the due date
- Intimate changes in premises, constitution, technical staff or products and obtain approval where needed
- For new or changed products, apply for additions through the proper form before marketing
- Maintain traceability and complaint handling and cooperate with drug inspectors and CDSCO
Manufacturing licence vs loan licence vs import registration
| Point | Manufacturing licence | Loan licence | Import registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | State Licensing Authority | State Licensing Authority | CDSCO |
| Application form | Form COS-5 | Form COS-6 | Form COS-1 on SUGAM |
| Document issued | Form COS-8 | Form COS-9 | Form COS-2 (Import Registration Certificate) |
| Who applies | Manufacturer with own premises | Brand owner using another licensed manufacturer's facility | Manufacturer, authorised agent or importer |
| Fee basis | Per category and number of items (Delhi example) | Per the State schedule | USD per category, site and variant |
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Mismatched names and addresses
Differences between Form COS-1, the authorisation and the second schedule data on manufacturer name, site or product list are a frequent reason for deficiency letters.
Improperly authenticated authorisation
The manufacturer's authorisation must be signed on every page by both parties and authenticated by the prescribed route, such as Apostille. Photocopies and unsigned pages are rejected.
Missing Free Sale Certificate details
The original Free Sale Certificate with a signed product list and a correlation chart linking products to the application serials is required for import.
Wrong classification
A product with therapeutic claims, such as treating acne or hair loss, can be treated as a drug. Label claims must match the licence you hold.
Unsuitable premises or staff
Inspectors check separation of areas, hygiene, equipment and the qualification of technical staff. Weak premises delay grant.
Label deficiencies
Missing batch number, expiry, ingredient order, net content or the licence or registration number on labels is a standard finding.
Penalties for non-compliance
Manufacturing, importing or selling cosmetics in contravention of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 can lead to seizure, suspension or cancellation of the licence and prosecution under Chapter IV of the Act. The penalty depends on the nature of the offence, such as import without registration, sale of spurious or misbranded cosmetics or manufacture without a licence. We have not verified the current penalty amounts after recent amendments, so we do not quote figures here. Please check the Act's current penal provisions for the offence concerned.
Practitioner tips
- Prepare the manufacturer's authorisation first for imports and have it authenticated early. It is the slowest document and errors force a restart.
- Create one master product sheet with exact product names, variants, shades, pack sizes and manufacturing sites, and use it across Form COS-1, labels, the Free Sale Certificate correlation chart and fee calculation. Fees are charged per variant and per site, so accuracy matters.
- For manufacture, ask the State Drugs Control Department for its inspection checklist and fix the premises before the visit. Many states look at floor finish, water quality, separate areas and staff qualification.
- Keep claims cosmetic. Phrases that promise to treat or cure a condition can move the product into the drug category and require a drug licence.
- Check the CDSCO published list of common non-compliances before submitting an import application and tick each point off against your file.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Classification and route advice
We review products, claims and labels to confirm whether they are cosmetics and whether you need a manufacturing licence, loan licence or import registration.
Application preparation
We prepare Form COS-5 or COS-6, or Form COS-1 for import, with product lists, ingredient sheets and declarations that match each other.
Authorisation and document checklist
We provide a checklist for authentication of foreign documents, Free Sale Certificates and non-animal testing undertakings.
Portal filing and tracking
We file on the relevant portal, pay fees correctly and track queries until the authority responds.
Inspection readiness
We prepare a premises and documentation checklist before the drug inspector's visit.
Connected registrations
We support trade licence, GST registration, IEC and factory licence needs that sit alongside the cosmetic licence.
Cosmetic Licence: frequently asked questions
Is a licence required to manufacture cosmetics in India?
Yes. Manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution requires a licence from the State Licensing Authority under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. The application is made in Form COS-5 and the licence is granted in Form COS-8, as reflected in state schedules such as Delhi's.
What is the import registration for cosmetics?
Cosmetics can be imported only with an Import Registration Certificate from CDSCO. The application is made online on the SUGAM portal in Form COS-1, and the certificate is issued in Form COS-2. Registration is by category of cosmetic, with sites and variants listed.
What is the fee for cosmetic import registration?
According to the CDSCO guidance, the fee is USD 1,000 per category, USD 1,000 for each additional category, USD 500 per manufacturing site and USD 50 per variant, payable in USD or its INR equivalent through Bharatkosh. Confirm against the Third Schedule before payment.
What is the fee for a cosmetic manufacturing licence?
In Delhi, the Drugs Control Department's schedule lists ₹10,000 per category of up to 10 items and ₹500 for each extra item. Fees can differ by state, so check your State Licensing Authority's current schedule before applying.
What is a loan licence for cosmetics?
A loan licence lets a brand owner who has no factory of its own manufacture cosmetics at another licensed manufacturer's premises. The Rules provide Form COS-6 for the application and Form COS-9 for the licence. The contract manufacturer must hold a valid manufacturing licence.
Can a foreign brand import cosmetics without an Indian agent?
The application can be filed by the manufacturer, its authorised agent, an importer in India or an Indian subsidiary authorised by the manufacturer. In practice an Indian entity is needed to hold responsibility, and the authorisation must be properly authenticated and signed by both parties.
What must be on a cosmetic label in India?
Labels must show product name, manufacturer and address, batch number, expiry or period after opening, net contents, directions and warnings where needed, ingredient list and the manufacturing licence or import registration number, along with BIS-prescribed labelling where applicable. Small-pack exemptions exist under the Rules.
Can I import cosmetics tested on animals?
Import of cosmetics tested on animals after 12 November 2014 is not permitted, and import applications require a non-animal testing undertaking. Check this carefully with your overseas manufacturer, because the declaration is a mandatory document in the application.
How long is a cosmetic licence valid?
Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 the licence and registration depend on retention fee payments rather than a short fixed validity. Exact retention intervals should be checked in the Rules and on your grant, because late payment attracts additional charges, as the Delhi schedule shows.
When does a cosmetic become a drug under Indian law?
A product that claims to diagnose, treat, mitigate or prevent a disease or affect body functions can be treated as a drug rather than a cosmetic. Products such as anti-dandruff or acne treatments may need careful claim review, and may require a drug licence instead.
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.