Shipping cosmetics and perfumes from Guangzhou to the UAE

Cosmetics from Guangzhou can be cleared into the UAE once two approvals are in place: a MOIAT ECAS certificate of conformity, which customs asks for, and product registration in the emirate where you sell, which in Dubai means Dubai Municipality's Montaji system. Perfumes are flammable liquids and ship as Class 3 dangerous goods with an SDS and carrier approval. As of November 2026 cargo sails from Nansha to Khor Fakkan, is trucked in, and pays 5% duty plus 5% VAT.

At a glance

How it works

1. Check formula and labelCompare ingredients with GSO 1943 and Dubai Municipality limits, and fix the label before printing.
2. Get ECASThe UAE importer applies through a MOIAT-approved conformity body with test reports.
3. Register in MontajiSubmit the free sale certificate, ingredient report and lab report to Dubai Municipality before import.
4. Book DG where neededPerfumes, aerosols and nail polish are booked as dangerous goods with an SDS and carrier approval.
5. Sail and truckCargo leaves Nansha; as of November 2026 it lands at Khor Fakkan and moves to Dubai under customs seal.
6. Clear and storeOur broker clears with the ECAS certificate, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin; store goods as the label says.

Two approvals before the first shipment

UAE cosmetics control works on two levels. MOIAT checks the product against the Gulf safety standard GSO 1943, which lists prohibited and restricted substances, colourants, preservatives and UV filters, and issues an ECAS certificate through an approved conformity body. The emirate then controls its market: Dubai Municipality requires products to be registered in Montaji before import, by a Dubai company. It asks for a free sale certificate, a signed ingredient report and a lab test report, plus documents such as a halal certificate when the label shows a halal logo. Registration is valid five years. Products claiming to treat acne, eczema or hair loss fall outside cosmetics and go to EDE.

Labels and ingredient limits

Chinese retail packs are often printed only in Chinese. Dubai Municipality's guideline requires the label details in clear English and/or Arabic: brand and product name, manufacturer or UAE agent, country of origin, full ingredient list, pack size, batch number, and production and expiry dates printed or on a non-removable sticker, with warnings and directions for use. GSO 1943:2024 adds allergen labelling, required for new products placed on the market from 31 December 2026 and for all products on sale by 31 December 2028. The guideline also sets limits: hydroquinone must be absent from skin whitening products and methanol from perfumes, so check formulas before you order.

Perfumes and other dangerous goods

Perfumes with alcohol-based solvents are Class 3 flammable liquids at sea, usually under UN1266, aerosols are Class 2 gases, and nail polish is also dangerous goods. Each needs an SDS, a DG declaration signed by the shipper, a container packing certificate, UN-specification packaging and the China Customs DG packaging certificate. Every carrier approves DG separately, with an earlier cut-off and a surcharge, and several carriers suspended DG bookings to many Gulf ports in 2026, so we confirm acceptance before you fix dates. Never pack perfume inside a general cargo shipment: undeclared DG is dangerous and brings heavy fines and carrier blacklisting.

Heat, shelf life, duty and clearance

Creams, lipsticks and serums can separate or melt on a long voyage, a wait at an east-coast port and a truck leg in Gulf heat. Load full containers where possible, keep cartons off the floor and ask us about insulated or temperature-controlled options, subject to carrier acceptance. Shelf life runs from production, so agree a minimum remaining shelf life at shipment and keep batch numbers on cartons and the packing list. Cosmetics pay 5% customs duty on the CIF value and 5% VAT on CIF plus duty, which VAT-registered importers with a linked customs code can reverse-charge. Invoices of AED 10,000 or more need MOFA attestation.

Checklist before you book

• Formula checked against GSO 1943 and Dubai Municipality limits
• MOIAT ECAS certificate for each product
• Montaji registration completed before import
• Free sale certificate, signed ingredient report and lab report
• English and/or Arabic label with non-removable dates and batch number
• Allergen labelling plan for GSO 1943:2024
• SDS and DG booking for perfumes, aerosols and nail polish
• Minimum remaining shelf life agreed in the purchase order

Questions

Read next

General information checked against the sources below. Our team confirms the route, papers and timing for your shipment before booking; prices are quoted per shipment.

Sources

1. Dubai Municipality: Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic and Personal Care Products, DM-HSD-GU116-CPCP2 v2.1
2. Complife: Allergen labelling in Saudi Arabia and the UAE under GSO 1943:2024 (March 2026)
3. Intertek: Regulatory update for cosmetics, personal care and perfumery exports to the UAE (GSO 1943)
4. IMO: IMDG Code
5. Kerry Logistics: IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 mandatory from 1 January 2026
6. Gulf News: Invoice and origin certificate attestations via MOFA eDAS (August 2026)
7. Lloyd's List Intelligence: Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026