Authorization to export cosmetic products to the USA

In America, the use of certain ingredients in cosmetic products is prohibited. It is necessary to conduct an eligibility analysis of these ingredients before importing the cosmetics into the United States to make sure the cosmetics are in compliance with FDA rules.

Before exporting cosmetics to the United States, it is essential to ensure that all ingredients comply with FDA regulations

Pre-approval from the FDA is not required for cosmetic ingredients, except for certain specific color additives. However, there are ingredients whose use in cosmetics is prohibited or restricted by current regulations. If a cosmetic contains any of the banned ingredients listed below, the FDA will reject its import and sale in the United States.

Prohibited Ingredients

The presence of one or more of the following ingredients in a cosmetic product will result in the goods being blocked at customs and prohibited from sale in the United States:

• Bithionol
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants
• Chloroform
• Halogenated salicylanilides
• Methylene chloride

Prohibited Ingredients in Inhalable Cosmetic Products:

• Vinyl Chloride
• Compounds Containing Zirconium
• Prohibited Bovine Materials

Ingredients Permitted in Specific Cases

Some ingredients can only be used in cosmetics under specific conditions and in amounts regulated by the FDA:

• Hexachlorophene
  Its use is permitted only when no other preservative proves equally effective. Hexachlorophene cannot be used in cosmetics intended for mucous membranes, such as lip products, and the maximum allowable concentration is 0.1%.
• Mercury-based compounds are permitted only as preservatives or skin-whitening agents when no alternatives are available. Their use is restricted to eye cosmetics, with a maximum mercury concentration, measured as metal, of 0.0065%.
• Sunscreens in cosmetics
  In the United States, sunscreens are classified as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs rather than cosmetics, as they are in the European Union. Therefore, cosmetics that contain sunscreens must comply with the FDA's guidelines for OTC products.

In some cases, sunscreens can be used for non-therapeutic purposes, such as protecting or coloring the product. In such cases, the cosmetic label must specify the reason, for instance, with the phrase "contains a sunscreen to protect product color."