## Policy Summary: Requirement of IEC/GSTN Code for Cosmetics Import into India
This notice, issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, pertains to the import of cosmetics into India. It serves as a reminder and reiteration of previous notices dated 29.01.2019 and 08.08.2019, regarding the mandatory provision of Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTN) details for all stakeholders involved in the import of cosmetics. These stakeholders include importers, exporters, and Customs House Brokers.
The CDSCO has been identified as a Participating Government Agency (PGA) for implementation of e-SANCHIT, with the objective of uploading Licenses/Permits/Certificates/Others Authorizations (LPCOs) for cosmetic imports. This initiative aims to reduce physical interaction between regulatory agencies, customs, and the trade, thereby expediting the clearance process for both imports and exports. Registration on ICEGATE is a prerequisite for beneficiaries, allowing PGAs to link LPCOs to their registered IEC/GSTN and email ID.
Upon registration, a unique Image Reference Number (IRN) for the LPCO uploaded by the PGA will be communicated to the beneficiary. This IRN will be used to link the LPCO with the Bill of Entry/Shipping Bill for customs clearance. Following the full implementation of e-SANCHIT, beneficiaries will no longer be permitted to manually upload LPCOs.
Therefore, all stakeholders transacting with Customs for cosmetics are required to furnish their IEC/GSTN code, the email ID registered with the ICEGATE portal, and the contact details of the concerned person to the CDSCO at cosmeticscdsco.nic.in. This information should also be included in the covering letter when applying for an Import Registration Certificate for Cosmetics on the Sugam Portal.
The notice is addressed to all relevant stakeholders, including importers, exporters, Customs House Brokers, and the Indian Beauty and Hygiene Association (IBHA).
Key Entities Referenced
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO): A Participating Government Agency (PGA) responsible for uploading Licenses, Permits, Certificates, and Other Authorizations (LPCOs) for the import of Cosmetics into India.
ICEGATE: The Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, used for registration of beneficiaries and linking LPCOs with ECGSTN and email ID.
eSANCHIT: An initiative to reduce physical interface between Customs/Regulatory agencies and trade, and to increase the speed of clearance in both Import and Exports.
IECGSTN code: Import Export Code and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number, required from all beneficiaries importing cosmetics into India.
Customs House Brokers: An entity that acts as an intermediary between importers/exporters and customs authorities.
Drugs Controller General: The title held by Dr. V.G. Somani, who signed the notice.
Ministry of Health Family Welfare, Government of India: A government ministry to which the notice was copied to, specifically addressed to the Joint Secretary R.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Government of India: A government entity to which the notice was copied to, specifically addressed to The Commissioner, Single Window Project.
F. No.COS/MISC-77/19
Government of India
Directorate General of Health Services
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
(Cosmetic Division)
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road
New Delhi-110002
Notice MMS. SEP Zujg
Subject: Details of IEC/GSTN code is required from all the beneficiaries (Stakeholders/
Importers/Exporters, Customs House Brokers) in case of Import of
Cosmetics into India-Reg
Kind attention of all the beneficiaries i.e. Stakeholders/importers/Exporters,
Customs
House Brokers, reference is invited to the Notice on Implementation of PGA e-SANCHIT,
dated 29.01.2019 and to the subsequent notice dated 08.08.2019 on requirement of details of
IEC/GSTN code of all the beneficiaries in case of Import of Cosmetics. The said notice dated
29.01.2019 had outlined the procedure for registration of beneficiaries on ICEGATE and
uploading of Licenses/permits/Certificates/Others
Authorizations (LPCOs) by Participating
Government Agencies (PGA) on e-SANCHIT
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has been identified as
one of the PGAs for implementation of e-SANCHIT to upload LPCOs for import of Cosmetics
with the objective of further reducing physical interface between Customs/Regulatory
agencies and the trade and to increase the speed of clearance in both Import and Exports.
The registration of the beneficiaries on ICEGATE is a pre requisite condition so that
PGAs could link the LPCOs to the registered beneficiaries |EC/GSTN and e-mail id. It may be
noted that after the beneficiary is registered on ICEGATE. the unique image Reference
Number (IRN) for the LPCO uploaded by PGA would be communicated to the beneficiary.
This IRN would then be used by the beneficiary to link the LPCO with the bill of Entry
/Shipping bill for Customs clearance. On implementation of e-Sanchit the beneficiaries would
not be allowed to upload the above mentioned LPCO.
Therefore, all beneficiaries i.e. Stakeholders/Importers/Exporters,
Customs House
Brokers transacting with Customs for Cosmetics are requested to furnish details of
IEC/GSTN code along with email id registered with ICEGATE portal and contact details of
concerned person to this office at the email id cosmetics@cdsco.nic.in
The beneficiaries are also required to mention the above stated details in the covering
letter while applying for grant of Import Registration Certificate for Cosmetics on Sugam
Portal
\We
eee
(Dr. V.G. Somani)
Drugs Controller General (I)
To
1. All the beneficiaries i.e. Stakeholders/Imports/Exporters, Customs House Brokers
2. iBiAdindian Beauty and Hygiene Association)
Copy to:
1. Joint Secretary (R), Ministry of Health Family Welfare, Government of India ;
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
2. The Commissioner, Single Window Project, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Government of India
3. CDSCO Website.