What Certifications are Needed? Importing Glass Perfume Bottles to the US

I have a client in the US who got held up by customs and fined for not having the right certifications to import glass perfume bottles to the US. Learn from their mistake so you don’t have the same problem.

When you import glass perfume bottles to the US, you have to meet all the regulatory standards. You need to have the right certifications for the CPSC, EPA, FTC, and FDA. You need to have the right materials, meet the environmental standards, and have the right labeling. If you don’t have these things, you can’t get your stuff through customs and you can’t sell it.

Stay ahead of the game by being in compliance so you can get your imports in and avoid getting your stuff held up.

Do I need an import license to import to the USA?

In general, you don’t need an import license to import glass perfume bottles to the USA, but you have to follow the rules of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You have to have your paperwork right and your product has to be right for customs to let it in.

What do I have to do to import cosmetics to the USA?

While the bottles themselves aren’t regulated as much as what goes in the bottles, you have to make sure your glass bottles meet FDA guidelines for packaging. You have to have the right labels, the right materials, and you can’t have anything dangerous in the bottles.

How much is an import license in the USA?

Most stuff, including glass perfume bottles, doesn’t require an import license, so there isn’t a cost. However, depending on what you’re importing, you might have to comply with certain regulations and register with the FDA or other agencies. There might be a cost associated with that.

How do I register my cosmetic products in the US?

The perfume inside the bottles has to comply with FDA regulations, but registering your product is more about the safety and compliance of what’s inside the bottle than the bottle itself. The FDA has something called the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP), which is a post-market reporting system for cosmetic products and ingredients.

Do I need a tax ID number to import products into the USA?

Yes, if you’re a business importing into the USA, you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You need that number to put on your customs forms and to be the importer of record. You need that number for everything you do in business and for importing.

You need to know and follow the rules to get your glass perfume bottles into the USA and sell them.