Service 10
Japanese cosmetics and household goods, exported to importers across Asia
Shops and distributors that sell Japanese goods rarely sell only one category: the same customer who wants Japanese snacks also wants Japanese skincare, detergents and baby wipes. We buy everyday Japanese cosmetics and household goods in Japan, in Japanese, and ship them to your company — on their own, or consolidated with Japanese food in one shipment.
- Skincare, sunscreen, hair care
- Household and baby products
- Mixed with Japanese food
- Information for your notification
Cosmetics are where the paperwork matters most. In most Asian markets the importer notifies or registers each cosmetic product before it is sold, and that notification depends on information only the Japanese side can supply: the full ingredient list, the manufacturer’s details and, in many markets, a letter of authorisation from the manufacturer or brand owner, sometimes with a certificate of free sale. Whether a letter of authorisation can be obtained depends on the manufacturer, so we tell you for which products it can be obtained before you order.
Japan distinguishes cosmetics from quasi-drugs (medicated cosmetics), and some sunscreens and skincare products are quasi-drugs in Japan. Your market applies its own classification, which may differ. We tell you how each product is classified in Japan, so your import side can confirm how it is treated where you sell it.
Household goods bring a different check: some are regulated in the importing country (insecticides, disinfectants, products that touch food), and some are dangerous goods in transport — aerosols, products with a high alcohol content, flammable liquids. We check the safety data sheet of each product before it is packed, so dangerous goods are declared and packed correctly rather than discovered at the port.
The import side remains the importer’s: product notification or registration, labels in the local language and inspection on arrival. What we do is buy, check, consolidate and export, with the information your import side depends on.
What this includes
Cosmetics and personal care
Skincare, sunscreen, hair care, body care and make-up from the range Japanese drugstores carry.
Household and baby products
Detergents, kitchen goods, hygiene products, nappies, wipes and baby care products.
One shipment with Japanese food
Cosmetics, household goods and food consolidated into one shipment, with the documents kept separate by category.
Information for your notification
Full ingredient lists, the manufacturer’s details and the Japanese classification, and a clear answer up front on which products a letter of authorisation can be obtained for.
Dangerous goods checked
Safety data sheets checked before packing, so aerosols and flammable products are declared and packed correctly.
How it works
- 01 Your product list The products or categories you want, your market and the quantities you have in mind.
- 02 Availability and information Which products can be sourced and exported, how each is classified in Japan, and the information each comes with.
- 03 Quotation A quotation on the agreed Incoterm, with products, quantities, packing and any dangerous goods noted.
- 04 Buying and consolidation Orders placed in Japan, goods checked on receipt and consolidated, with food if you ordered it.
- 05 Export and arrival Export customs, shipping documents, the certificate of origin where it applies, and follow-up to arrival.
What we do — and the promises we keep
We put both in writing, so you know exactly what to expect from us.
We do
- Source Japanese cosmetics and household goods in Japan, in Japanese
- Consolidate them with Japanese food in one shipment
- Collect the ingredient lists and product information your notification needs
- Check safety data sheets and declare dangerous goods correctly
- Handle export customs, shipping documents and the certificate of origin
What we will not do
- We do not act as the importer in your country, or file its notifications on your behalf
- We do not quote a price, a minimum order or a lead time before we know the products
- We do not make efficacy claims for any product
- We do not represent ourselves as any manufacturer’s official distributor
Before you write to us
You do not need all of this to start a conversation — but the more of it you have, the faster we can give you a real answer instead of a range.
- The products or categories you want — a list, photos or links
- The country the goods are going to, and your company’s import licence there
- Quantity per product, and whether to ship with Japanese food
- Any products that are aerosols, flammable or need special handling
- The Incoterm you want to buy on, and your forwarder if you have one
Frequently asked questions
Which Japanese cosmetics and household goods can you supply?
The range Japanese drugstores carry: skincare, sunscreen, hair care, body care and make-up; detergents, kitchen goods and hygiene products; nappies, wipes and baby care products. Send us your list and we tell you what can be sourced and exported.
Can cosmetics and food go in the same shipment?
Yes. We consolidate them and keep the documents separate by category, because the importing country often checks food and cosmetics through different authorities.
Who files the cosmetic notification in our country?
The importer, because the law makes it responsible. Many markets also ask for a letter of authorisation from the manufacturer or brand owner; we tell you before you order for which products it can be obtained, and supply the full ingredient list and the manufacturer’s details.
Can you ship aerosols and sprays?
Many can be shipped, but as dangerous goods, declared and packed under the transport rules. We check each product’s safety data sheet before packing and tell you which items need dangerous-goods handling.
Are you an official distributor for Japanese brands?
No. We are a trading company that buys from suppliers in Japan and exports. We do not represent ourselves as any manufacturer’s official distributor.
Import rules for cosmetics and household goods differ by country and by product, and change over time. The importer in the destination country is responsible for them. Nothing on this page is a claim about the effect of any product, and this page is not legal advice.
Guides for this service
Practical, step-by-step notes written from Ho Chi Minh City, with sources and the date we checked them.
Contact
Tell us what you want to buy or sell — in Vietnam or Japan
Selling into Vietnam or Japan, sourcing from either, or a product made under your own brand. One Japanese-managed team in Ho Chi Minh City, working in English, Japanese and Vietnamese.