Cosmetics Import & Registration in Saudi Arabia via eCosma — 2026 Guide

Author: Motaded Limited Team | Last updated: June 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Saudi Arabia's cosmetics market is among the largest in the Middle East, with annual market size exceeding USD 7 billion according to 2025 reports, and a compound annual growth rate approaching 8%. Every local or foreign company aspiring to enter this market is required to list its products in the eCosma system (currently part of the unified Ghad system) under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The major advantage many companies overlook: cosmetic product listing requires no fees from the Authority. This guide explains when registration becomes mandatory, the difference between eCosma and the Ghad system, mandatory requirements and specifications, and the most common mistakes that cause shipment rejection at customs.

Golden competitive advantage: Listing cosmetic products in SFDA's eCosma system is completely free — no fees on the factory or the product. The only costs are establishment licensing (SAR 3,000 for a warehouse and SAR 5,000 for a factory, both for 5 years).

Why is eCosma Registration Mandatory?

SFDA is the sole regulatory authority for cosmetics in Saudi Arabia, operating under the Saudi Cosmetics Products Regulation. Any cosmetic product marketed, imported, manufactured, or sold in the Kingdom (whether in physical stores or e-commerce platforms) is required to be pre-listed in the eCosma system. This includes:

• Skincare products: creams, moisturizers, serums, exfoliants, face masks.

• Makeup: foundation, lipsticks, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush.

• Hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, hair dyes, hair straighteners, styling sprays.

• Personal hygiene products: deodorants, soap, body washes, toothpaste, and mouthwashes.

• Nail care products: nail polish, polish removers, nail treatments, artificial nails.

• Perfumes: luxury fragrances, body sprays, hair perfumes, incense.

• Sun protection products and sunscreens (classified as special cosmetic products).

Listing is mandatory before the shipment arrives at the Saudi customs port. Any consignment arriving without prior listing is rejected at clearance and returned to the origin at the importer's expense, or destroyed immediately. Financial penalties can reach SAR 100,000 for non-compliant products distributed in the market.

The Difference Between eCosma and Ghad Systems

There is common confusion among new importers between the two systems. The truth is:

• eCosma System: The original system dedicated to cosmetic product listing, launched in 2017 and became the most well-known in the sector.

• Ghad System: The unified electronic system launched by SFDA in 2023, integrating services from multiple sectors (cosmetics, feed, pesticides, tobacco) under one platform.

• Current status: Importers and manufacturers are required to open commercial accounts in the Ghad system, through which they access the eCosma module for listing cosmetic products specifically. The two names are still used interchangeably.

Practical note: When registering your first account, start with the Ghad system. After creating the commercial account, the eCosma module will appear as a sub-service for listing cosmetic products.

What You Need Before Starting Product Listing

Listing in eCosma is the final step in a chain of essential requirements. Before you can upload your product to the system, you must provide:

First: Establishment Requirements

Your establishment (importer or manufacturer) must be licensed by SFDA before any listing. Each type of activity has its specific license and fees:

Second: The Appropriate Commercial Registration

Your Commercial Registration must contain a cosmetic activity acceptable by SFDA. This requires choosing a precise activity code when extracting the Commercial Registration from the Saudi Business Center. Motaded ensures that the activity matches SFDA requirements before issuing the CR to avoid future problems.

Third: For Foreign Companies

Foreign companies need an investment license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA) with an ownership percentage of up to 100% before registering with SFDA. Motaded provides an integrated package including the investment license, Commercial Registration, legal entity establishment, and SFDA licensing.

eCosma Cosmetic Product Listing Requirements

After establishment licensing, each product is listed separately in the system. Requirements include:

Manufacturer Information

• Manufacturer's full name and address.

• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certificate from an accredited body, or ISO 22716 certificate specific to cosmetics.

• Free Sale Certificate from the country of origin, attested by the Saudi embassy or apostilled.

• Authorization letter for the approved agent or distributor of the manufacturer in Saudi Arabia.

Product Information

• Complete commercial name of the product as it appears on the package.

• Complete formulation according to INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) for each component.

• Percentage of each ingredient in the final product.

• Functional category of the product: cleansing, moisturizing, protection, beautification, etc.

• Product-specific barcode (must be entered in the electronic system).

Product Label

• Compliant with the Gulf Standard Specification GSO 1943 for safety requirements for cosmetic and personal care products.

• Product function clearly written in Arabic.

• Ingredient list in descending order by percentage (INCI).

• Manufacturer name and address + importer name and address.

• Batch number and production date.

• Storage conditions.

• Warnings and precautions (for products containing active ingredients).

• Writing any reference on the label that the product is "SFDA approved" or "Authority licensed" is prohibited — this violates regulations.

Claims

Every claim on the product (such as "anti-aging," "paraben-free," "for sensitive skin") must be supported by scientific studies and compliant with the Saudi specification SFDA.CO/GSO 2528 for cosmetic and personal care product claims regulation. Medical claims such as "treats" or "cures" are completely prohibited and would shift the product from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals.

Step-by-Step Cosmetic Product Listing Process

Step 1: Create a Commercial Account in the Ghad System

Log into the Ghad system and create a commercial account using the licensed company's data. This requires a valid Commercial Registration and the 700 number for the establishment.

Step 2: Register the Manufacturer (for importers)

If you are an importer, you must first register the foreign manufacturer's information in the system, uploading the GMP certificate and Free Sale Certificate. The system accepts the manufacturer as a source once, then all its products are listed under it.

Step 3: Enter Product Information

For each product, enter: name, INCI formulation, ingredient percentages, functional category, barcode, label images and packaging photos from all sides.

Step 4: Upload Technical Documents

Product technical report, laboratory test reports if available (product stability, microbial load, heavy metals absence), GMP certificate, Free Sale Certificate.

Step 5: SFDA Technical Review

The review is conducted electronically, and SFDA may request clarifications or additional tests in accredited laboratories (for products suspected of violations). All correspondence happens through the system with complete documentation. To track requests and inquiries, use the FASAH platform and Nnjzha platform.

Step 6: Receive the Notification Number

After approval, SFDA issues a product-specific Notification Number. This is the number you use during customs clearance in every future shipment to import the product.

Step 7: Customs Clearance for Shipments

When the shipment arrives at the port, the Notification Number is entered in the FASAH platform along with: importer's Commercial Registration, commercial invoice, packing list, FASAH request number, manufacturer certificate, and GMP certificate.

Common Mistakes That Cause Listing or Clearance Rejection

• Medical claims on the label: "treats wrinkles," "cures acne," "removes baldness" — these shift from cosmetics to drugs and are immediately rejected.

• Using prohibited ingredients per Annex II of the Gulf specification, or exceeding permitted percentages in Annex III for restricted ingredients.

• Lack of correct Arabic translation for the product function on the label.

• Expired GMP certificate or improperly attested.

• Free Sale Certificate not attested by the Saudi embassy in the country of origin.

• Choosing a Commercial Registration with an activity that does not include cosmetics, resulting in rejection of opening an eCosma account.

• Believing that "listing" the product means "approval" — SFDA does not verify product quality at listing; it relies on the company's declaration. Violations are discovered later at clearance or market withdrawal.

• Importing a trial shipment before completing listing (common among influencers trying to test the market).

Special Cases Requiring Additional Procedures

Sun Protection Products and Sunscreens

SFDA classifies these as "special cosmetic products" and they require mandatory laboratory testing to verify the effectiveness of UV filters and confirm the declared SPF value. Test reports must come from laboratories accredited by ILAC organizations.

Anti-Dandruff and Hair Treatment Products

Require careful review of active ingredients (such as Ketoconazole, Zinc Pyrithione) and safety studies, because they are on the borderline between cosmetics and drugs.

Halal Cosmetics

Cosmetics bearing the halal logo need an additional halal certificate from the Saudi Halal Center (halal.gov.sa). This certificate does not replace eCosma listing — it is added to it as a competitive advantage in Islamic markets. Motaded provides a combined eCosma listing and Halal certificate service.

Post-Listing Obligations

• Report any modification to the formulation or label immediately through the system.

• Maintain production and distribution records for at least 5 years.

• Immediate response to any SFDA report regarding adverse events or consumer complaints.

• Cooperate with SFDA in case of market withdrawal (Recall) of any product violating specifications.

• Renew product listing if its validity expires or if the manufacturer changes.

How Motaded Helps with eCosma Listing

Cosmetic product listing may seem easy (no fees!), but technical and administrative obstacles are many, especially for new importers and foreign companies. We have assisted 281 establishments in listing and compliance with SFDA, and our cosmetics sector specialists manage the entire process: company establishment, extracting the Commercial Registration with the correct activity, licensing the warehouse or factory, opening the Ghad system account, registering the foreign manufacturer, listing each product with the correct specifications, official label translation, coordination with certifying authorities for certificates, and follow-up with SFDA until receiving the Notification Number. Discover the complete package on the SFDA platform page or book a meeting with a Motaded expert now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is it really true that there are no fees for listing a cosmetic product in eCosma?

Answer: Yes, this is officially confirmed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority: there are no fees for listing cosmetics factories and products in the eCosma system. The only costs are establishment licensing (SAR 3,000 for a warehouse, SAR 5,000 for a factory, both for 5 years), in addition to the costs of attesting foreign certificates and translating labels.

Question 2: How long does cosmetic product listing in eCosma take?

Answer: In the ideal case with a complete file, listing takes 15 to 30 business days. However, in reality, more than 60% of new requests face clarification requests or additional documents that extend the period to 60-90 days. Motaded delivers a complete file on the first attempt to shorten the period to the minimum.

Question 3: Should each product be listed separately, or can a product line be listed in one request?

Answer: Each product (even from the same line) must be listed separately in the system, because each product has independent formulation, label, and barcode. A product line containing 20 products requires 20 listing requests, but the parent manufacturer request is made only once.

Question 4: Can a cosmetic product be imported before completing its eCosma listing?

Answer: No, any shipment arriving before the Notification Number is issued by SFDA is rejected at clearance and not allowed entry. There is no exception for "trial shipments" or "market test samples." The product is either listed or not — and in case of non-listing, the shipment is returned to the source at the importer's expense.

Question 5: What is the difference between regular and special cosmetic products in SFDA classification?

Answer: Special cosmetic products (such as sunscreens, hair treatments, skin whitening products, antiperspirant deodorants) require mandatory laboratory testing to prove effectiveness and safety. Regular products (moisturizers, regular shampoos, perfumes) enter through standard listing without mandatory tests, with SFDA reserving the right to request them later.

Question 6: Can a foreign manufacturer without a Saudi distributor list products in eCosma?

Answer: No, listing requires a Saudi legal entity (importer company, distributor company, or branch of the foreign manufacturer) licensed by SFDA as a cosmetics warehouse. Motaded provides a complete Saudi entity establishment service for foreign companies wishing to enter the market.

Conclusion

Entering the Saudi cosmetics market is a remarkable opportunity with a unique advantage: product listing is completely free in the eCosma system. But the financial simplicity does not mean procedural ease — compliance with Gulf specifications, accurate label translation, GMP certificate attestation, and permitted claims are all traps that cost companies time and rejected products at the port. Motaded Limited provides an integrated listing service from company establishment to receiving the Notification Number. Book your meeting with an eCosma expert now to evaluate your products and determine requirements and expected timeline.