FDA U.S. Agent for cosmetic facilitys in India
A cosmetic facility in India that exports to the United States must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent located in the U.S. (FD&C Act §607 (MoCRA)). In the 12 months from 2025-10 to 2026-09, FDA refused 5,683 import lines from India, and 58 FDA import alerts list firms from India.
FDA data for India
Figures from FDA public data, retrieved 2026-10-21. Recall counts are by the recalling firm's country.
Import refusals, 2025-10 to 2026-09
| Refused import lines | 5,683 |
| Refusals citing registration or listing problems | NOT LISTED-118 · 907 |
Most common refusal charges
| Code | Count |
|---|---|
| UNAPPROVED-75 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to be a new drug within the meaning of Section 201(p) without an approved New Drug Application (NDA). | 3260 |
| NOT LISTED-118 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act in that it appears to be misbranded as defined in section 502(o) of the FD&C Act. Based on the information… | 907 |
| FILTHY-249 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that the article appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or be otherwise un… | 563 |
| MFR INJ-3821 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) in that such article appears to have been prepared, packed, or held … | 549 |
| MFR INSAN-308 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(1) in that the article appears to have been manufactured, processed, or packed under insanitary conditions. | 518 |
Import alerts listing India firms
Import alerts that list at least one firm in India: 58. Recently updated:
- Import Alert 16-129: Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans
- Import Alert 45-02: Detention Without Physical Examination and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors.
- Import Alert 99-05: Detention Without Physical Examination Of Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides
- Import Alert 99-08: Detention without Physical Examination of Processed Human and Animal Foods for Pesticides
- Import Alert 99-19: Detention Without Physical Examination of Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
- Import Alert 99-42: DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF FOODS DUE TO HEAVY METAL (TOXIC ELEMENT) CONTAMINATION
What the rule requires
Under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), foreign facilities that manufacture or process cosmetic products for U.S. distribution must register with FDA and include the name and contact details of a U.S. Agent. Registrations are renewed every two years, and product listings are updated every year.
- Foreign facilities that manufacture or process cosmetic products distributed in the U.S.
- Small businesses as defined in FD&C Act §612 may be exempt; check before assuming
Deadlines
- Register new facilities within 60 days of starting to manufacture or process cosmetics for the U.S.
- Renew every 2 years
- Update product listings annually
Steps
- Get a FEI number for the facility if you don't have one
- Prepare facility, responsible person and product category data
- Submit through FDA's Cosmetics Direct portal (or SPL)
- Name the U.S. Agent with their contact details
- Keep your facility registration number for product listings
Common mistakes
- Confusing the "responsible person" (on the label) with the U.S. Agent
- Missing the biennial renewal
- Selling or buying "MoCRA certificates": FDA does not issue them
How US Agent Desk helps
We serve as your U.S. Agent, prepare the registration data in your language for your company's officer to submit, confirm the designation when FDA asks, and check FDA's public records for your company every morning. Prices start at $990 per year.
Check if you need a U.S. Agent See prices
Independent private service. Not affiliated with the U.S. FDA. Not legal advice.