💄 Fashion, beauty and toys
HS Code for Lipstick in India: Import Duty, CDSCO and Labelling
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for lipstick (import)
3304 10 00
Lip make-up preparations. Lipstick, liquid lipstick, lip gloss and lip liner all sit in this one line.
Lipstick is one of the easiest products to classify and one of the hardest to clear. The HS code takes a minute. The paperwork behind it, mainly the CDSCO import registration, is what catches new beauty brands off guard.
I've seen many first-time importers, often Amazon and Nykaa sellers starting a private label, get the code right and still have the shipment held because the brand wasn't registered. So let's cover both.
The usual HS code: 3304 10 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 33 | Essential oils, perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations |
| Heading | 3304 | Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin |
| Subheading | 3304 10 | Lip make-up preparations |
| Tariff item | 3304 10 00 | Lip make-up preparations |
The tariff has a dedicated line for anything you put on the lips for colour or finish. Bullet lipstick, liquid lipstick, lip gloss, lip tint, lip liner pencils: they all land in 3304 10 00. The form (stick, liquid, crayon) doesn't change the code.
Why not 3304 99 or 3004?
The most common slip I see is suppliers putting 3304 99 ("other" beauty preparations) on the invoice because it's the catch-all they use for everything in their range. Lip products have their own subheading, so the specific line wins over the general one.
The other one is lip balm. A plain or tinted lip balm sold as a cosmetic usually still stays in heading 3304. But if it's sold as medicated (treating cracked or infected lips, with a therapeutic claim on the pack), it can be pushed towards chapter 30 as a medicament, and that brings drug rules into play. The claim on the label matters as much as the formula.
What decides the final classification
- Use on the lips: colour, gloss or liner for lips points to 3304 10 00.
- Medicinal claims: "heals", "treats" or an active drug ingredient can move a lip balm out of cosmetics.
- Kits and sets: a gift set with lipstick, eyeliner and a compact is classified as a set, usually by the item that gives it its essential character. Check before you assume.
- Lip-and-cheek multi-use sticks: often still treated as lip make-up, but customs can question it.
Not sure which line your lipstick falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my lipstick →How import duty is worked out
Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees): Basic Customs Duty, then the Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, then IGST on the total. Cosmetics rates have been revised in past Budgets, so don't rely on last year's number. Check the current rate for 3304 10 00 on the day you file.
The quickest way is to run your exact lipstick through a lookup, or put your numbers in the import duty calculator. If you're pricing for a marketplace, the landed cost calculator adds freight and clearing charges too.
Compliance checklist for lipstick
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| CDSCO import registration | 🔴 Mandatory | Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 imported cosmetics need a Registration Certificate (Form COS-2), applied for in Form COS-1 on the SUGAM portal. It covers the brand, manufacturer and the products listed. No certificate, no clearance. |
| Cosmetic labelling | 🔴 Mandatory | Ingredients, batch number, manufacturing and expiry details, manufacturer and importer details and the import registration number on the label. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity and customer care details on the pack. |
| No animal testing | 🔴 Mandatory | India does not allow import of cosmetics tested on animals. Keep the manufacturer's declaration ready. |
| Heavy metals and colours | 🟠 Check | Colours and heavy metal limits must meet Indian standards. Ask your supplier for a test report before ordering. |
| Plastic packaging EPR | 🟠 Check | Importers of products in plastic packaging may need EPR registration under the Plastic Waste Management Rules. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Shipping before the COS-2 is in hand. Registration takes months, and goods sitting at the port pay demurrage while you wait.
- Adding new shades that aren't on the registration. Each product needs to be covered.
- Labels printed only in the supplier's format, missing Indian importer details.
- Calling a lip balm "medicated" in the listing without checking what that does to the classification.
My advice
For lipstick, the code is settled; the registration is the real project. Start the CDSCO process before you finalise the purchase order, and plan your shade range so it's covered from day one. If your product is a multi-use stick or a gift kit, check it before the order is placed.
Get the exact code and duty for your lipstick
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my lipstick free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for lipstick in India?
Lipstick is classified under 3304 10 00, lip make-up preparations. The same line covers lip gloss, liquid lipstick and lip liner.
▸Do I need a CDSCO licence to import lipstick?
Yes. Imported cosmetics need an import Registration Certificate (Form COS-2) from CDSCO under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, applied for in Form COS-1.
▸Is lip balm classified the same as lipstick?
A cosmetic lip balm usually stays in heading 3304. A lip balm sold with medicinal claims can be treated as a medicament, so check the label claims.
▸Can I import lipstick that was tested on animals?
No. India does not allow the import of cosmetics tested on animals. Keep a declaration from the manufacturer with your documents.
Related HS codes
🧭 Full guide: How to Find the Correct HS Code for Your Product in India →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.