Xiamen FTZ streamlines imports of non-special purpose cosmetics

Xiamen Free Trade Zone in East China's Fujian province introduces preferential policies for importing non-special purpose cosmetics at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Nov 9. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Xiamen Free Trade Zone in East China's Fujian province has simplified its companies' importing of non-special purpose cosmetics, according to the explanation meeting held by the FTZ at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) Nov 9.

Starting from Nov 10, companies in 10 FTZs only need to put on record to their local FTZ management committee when importing non-special purpose cosmetics without the demand of the National Medical Products Administration's examination and approval, which reduces the approval time from three months to five working days, according to the national administration.

The 10 FTZs are in Fujian, Tianjin, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei, Guangdong, Chongqing, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces.

A spokesman for Xiamen FTZ said at the meeting that as long as the person in charge of his or her company' business in China is registered in Xiamen FTZ when the company imports non-special purpose cosmetics from the zone, the company can follow the new policy.

A facial mask supplier from Taiwan was the first to benefit from the new policy and its manager of business on the Chinese mainland, Lin Xuanting, said that the company had given up other ports due to the zone's preferential policy and Taiwan's convenient transport connections with the city.

In China, imported cosmetics are divided into cosmetics for special purpose and those for non-special purposes. Cosmetics for special purposes are those used for nurturing, dyeing, perming hair, hair removal, beautifying the breasts, bodybuilding, deodorizing, removing freckles, and sun protection. All others are non-special purpose cosmetics.

The CIIE, the first event of its kind in China, was held from Nov 5 to 10 and attracted more than 3,600 companies from 172 countries and regions.