Exporting Cosmetics to Australia: AICIS, Labels, Sunscreens and NZ

AICIS: the importer registers every year

AICIS regulates the chemicals in cosmetics; it does not approve products. A business that imports a cosmetic is introducing the industrial chemicals in it, so it must register with AICIS before the first import, whatever the quantity: there is no threshold. The registration year runs from 1 September to 31 August, and registration must be renewed by 31 August each year.

If you sell through an Australian importer or distributor, that company is the introducer and registers. A foreign company that sells directly to Australian customers may itself be the introducer; it needs an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN) before registering. Foreign suppliers can give confidential formula details straight to AICIS as chemical data providers, so the distributor does not see them.

The cost depends on the value of industrial chemicals introduced in the year, in eight levels. For 2025–26 it ranged from A$80 (under A$50,000) to A$35,080 (A$15 million or more). AICIS announced new amounts for 2026–27, from 1 September 2026, lower for most levels; check its fees page when you register. Introducers also file an annual declaration by 30 November for the previous registration year and keep records for 5 years.

Checking ingredients: Inventory, categories and animal test data

Each ingredient is checked against the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals by CAS number or name. If it is listed and the importer can meet any terms of listing (a defined scope, conditions of use or specific information requirements), it is a listed introduction and needs no further categorisation.

An ingredient that is not listed must be categorised by its risk to human health and the environment: exempted (very low risk; keep records, and some need a one-off declaration), reported (low risk; a pre-introduction report before importing) or assessed (medium to high risk; an assessment certificate before importing).

Since 1 July 2020, animal test data from tests done on or after that date cannot be used to categorise an unlisted chemical with an end use in cosmetics, or in an assessment certificate application, except in narrow cases. From 27 June 2026, retinal (retinaldehyde, CAS 116-31-4) for consumer use, including cosmetics, can no longer be an exempted or reported introduction and needs an assessment certificate. Retinol and retinol esters on the Inventory are not affected by this change.

Cosmetic or medicine? Sunscreens and therapeutic claims

The TGA regulates products whose primary use, ingredients or claims make them therapeutic goods: for example, products claiming to prevent or treat a disease or to affect body functions, and skin-whitening products that inhibit melanin production, such as those with hydroquinone. Anti-dandruff products and lip products with SPF stay cosmetics if they meet the Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Determination 2018.

Primary sunscreens, whose main purpose is UV protection, are medicines. An Australian sponsor must list them in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), the label carries an AUST L number, and each overseas manufacturer needs TGA GMP clearance.

Secondary sunscreens stay cosmetics only within set limits: lip products and tinted bases or foundations with SPF 4 or more, and moisturisers or sunbathing products with SPF 4 to 15 in packs of 300 mL or 300 g or less that are not water resistant and make no therapeutic claims. They must meet the AS/NZS 2604 sunscreen standard, including its broad-spectrum performance requirements, and contain no Schedule 2, 3, 4 or 8 substances of the Poisons Standard. The TGA consulted on changes to sunscreen regulation in March 2026; check for any outcome.

Labels: ingredient list, poisons rules, quantity and origin

The Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020, enforced by the ACCC, requires an ingredient list on cosmetics supplied to consumers; it does not apply to therapeutic goods, free samples or testers. The list must be prominent and clearly legible on the container. If the container's size, shape or nature makes that impossible, it must be shown another way, such as on a display, so consumers can be informed.

• Names: English names or INCI names; a list in another language may be added.
• Order: all ingredients in descending order by mass or volume, or those at 1% or more in descending order, then those under 1% in any order, then colour additives in any order.
• Confidential ingredients may appear as "other ingredients" only with approval, where naming them would prejudice a trade secret and they are unlikely to harm consumers.
• Poisons Standard (SUSMP): if an ingredient is scheduled, the product must meet that entry's labelling and packaging rules. States and territories give it legal effect, and it is updated several times a year.
• Net quantity in metric units on the main display panel, under trade measurement law.
• Country of origin is not required for non-food products under the Australian Consumer Law, but any "Made in" claim must be true.

Customs clearance, duty and GST

The Australian Border Force (ABF) clears imports. For consignments over A$1,000, the importer, usually through a licensed customs broker, lodges an import declaration and pays duty, 10% GST and an import processing charge. Most goods of A$1,000 or less clear on a self-assessed clearance with no duty or taxes at the border; instead, overseas sellers whose Australian sales reach A$75,000 in 12 months must register for GST and charge 10% on those consumer sales.

Perfumes (3303), make-up and skin care (3304), hair products (3305) and most of heading 3307 have a 5% general duty rate (Triplicate's HS code lookup is a quick first check). Goods from free trade agreement partners may get lower or zero rates with valid proof of origin. Products with animal- or plant-derived ingredients may also have biosecurity import conditions, listed in the BICON database.

New Zealand: EPA group standard, no registration

New Zealand regulates cosmetics under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act through the Environmental Protection Authority's Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020. There is no pre-market approval or product registration; the importer or manufacturer must make sure each product complies and keep a record of its group standard assignment. Amendments in force since 1 January 2026 extend the standard to non-hazardous cosmetics that contain a hazardous ingredient, align its ingredient schedules (Schedules 4 to 8) with the EU Cosmetics Regulation, and update label and nanomaterial rules, including the contact details of the New Zealand importer or manufacturer.

Products that did not meet the amended rules could be imported until 31 December 2025 and supplied until 31 December 2026. PFAS are now prohibited: no import or manufacture after 31 December 2026, supply until 31 December 2027 and disposal by 30 June 2028. Sunscreens are not medicines in New Zealand, but sunscreens and skin care with SPF above 15 must meet the AS/NZS sunscreen standard. Customs collects 15% GST and any duty on consignments over NZ$1,000; overseas suppliers may charge GST on items of NZ$1,000 or less.

Rules in both countries change often. This is practical guidance, not legal advice; confirm with AICIS, the TGA, the ACCC, the EPA or a licensed customs broker or consultant.