Cosmetics manufacturing and sales business, manufacturing business license, manufacturing and sales notification
What is the shipping eligibility and shipping judgment for cosmetics?
Updated: July 2026, 8
Hello.
This time, we will talk about the "shipment eligibility decision" that companies with cosmetics manufacturing and sales licenses make when distributing products.
Cosmetics manufacturers and distributors have distribution responsibility for the cosmetics they distribute, and must make the final decision on whether a finished cosmetic product is suitable for distribution to society (OK product) or not (NG product).
This judgment is called "Judgment on shipping availability"
Cosmetics include not only makeup products, but also soaps, shampoos, bath salts, and toothpaste.
The manufacturing and sales of cosmetics are subject to regulations based on the GQP Ministerial Ordinance.
Cosmetics shipping judgment isManufacturer release judgmentwithMarket Release JudgmentThis is carried out in two stages.
First,Manufacturer release judgmentWe then check that the manufacturer follows the work instructions and ensures safety. next,Market Release JudgmentThe manufacturer then makes the final decision on whether or not to release the product to the market based on the manufacturing plant's release judgment records.
In addition, imported cosmetics must be temporarily stored and inspected at a domestic factory. Regarding the manufacture and sale of cosmetics, the Ministerial Ordinance on Standards for Quality Control of Drugs, Quasi-drugs, Cosmetics, and Regenerative Medicine Products (GQP Ministerial Ordinance) regulations governing manufacturing and quality control have been established. Therefore, manufacturers and distributorsQuality control proceduresis required to be created.
Key points for deciding whether or not a product can be shipped
The act of "storing" products "before a decision on whether or not they can be shipped" falls under the category of cosmetics manufacturing. Therefore, if you only have a cosmetics manufacturing and sales license, you cannot directly visually inspect the finished cosmetics to determine whether they can be shipped or not.
So how do you determine whether or not an item can be shipped? We enter into an agreement with the cosmetics manufacturer in advance and work together to make a "shipment eligibility decision." Specifically, communication such as "information on finished products" and "shipping instructions" is done in writing.
It is important to entrust your work to a trusted cosmetics manufacturer
Since the final judgment is made without visual inspection, it is important to choose a trustworthy licensed cosmetics manufacturer.
In addition, once your company has obtained the cosmetics manufacturing industry (packaging, etc.) certification, you will be able to make consistent judgments in-house, which will reduce risk and workload.
When outsourcing the decision on whether or not a product can be shipped, the manufacturer must clearly define the division of roles and scope of responsibilities. Since the manufacturer will still bear the final responsibility for quality assurance even after the outsourcing, the manufacturer must regularly supervise the manufacturer's production management and quality control. When manufacturers make a "shipment eligibility decision," they are required to properly systematize it and assign personnel who meet the requirements for a shipping decision maker.
Please contact us for permission applications and preparation of procedure manuals based on GQP ordinances.
We support the creation of license applications and procedure manuals for cosmetics manufacturing and cosmetics manufacturing/sales businesses, taking into account the practical flow of operations after license is granted. Cosmetics approval applications may require the use of special software and the establishment of procedure manuals, and specialized consultants will accompany you during the application process to provide support.
Our support details
New application : Prepare all necessary documents and submit the registration application to the relevant government office on your behalf
Change application : If there are any changes to the registered information, we will register the necessary changes on your behalf
Product Notification : Notification for each product before importing and selling
License renewal application: Prepare the necessary documents to meet the 5-year expiration date and apply for renewal on your behalf
