Export of consumer products
For the export of consumer products such as cosmetics, you need an official export certificate or an attestation for registration, depending on the country of destination. The cantonal authorities issue the necessary documents and confirm their validity.
Export certificate
Consumer products such as cosmetics may only be exported with the necessary export papers.
The responsible cantonal food inspection authority issues the certificates for export. The certificate must accompany the goods. The Swiss Association of Cantonal Chemists provides a standardised export certificate in consultation with the FSVO.
Guidance and forms:
Attestation for registration
Requirements and issue of the attestation for registration
Certain countries require cosmetics or other consumer products to be registered before the first import and accompanied by a document such as a ‘Free sale certificate’. Such certificates are only to be issued if required by the inspection authorities in the country of destination and only if the products have been manufactured or packaged in Switzerland.
The exporting company completes the certificate, and the cantonal food regulation implementing authority stamps and signs it. The Swiss Association of Cantonal Chemists provides a standardised certificate in consultation with the FSVO. Authorities of certain recipient countries such as China, India, Indonesia and Dubai require the certificate to be issued on official paper. A template is provided for this.
Guidance and forms:
Special case: China
For the ‘Free sale certificate’ for cosmetics, the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) requires that the product has actually been sold in the country of origin (Switzerland). It is sufficient if the product is only sold in a single shop. An invoice, for example, is acceptable as proof.
Manufacturing certificate for China
Due to Chinese legal requirements, the ‘manufacturing certificate’ was introduced in 2021. It confirms that cosmetics have been manufactured according to an international GMP standard. It only applies to general cosmetics, not special ones. The cantonal implementing authority can sign this certificate under certain conditions.
Information letter and form: