In the beauty and personal care industry, speed to market is paramount. Whether it's launching new products, restocking best-sellers, or time-sensitive promotions, the delays of sea freight are unacceptable. Air freight's precision and speed are exactly what you need.
When time is of the essence, air freight to the United States ensures products arrive at the destination quickly, maintaining freshness and quality. Senghor Logistics offers air freight services specifically tailored for the cosmetics industry, ensuring your products receive the most meticulous and professional handling.
1. Speed: Air freight is currently the fastest mode of transport, making it ideal for cosmetics with short shelf lives or high short-term demand.
2. Reliability: With guaranteed cargo space and weekly charter flights, you can rest assured that your products will arrive on time.
3. Safety: Cosmetics are often sensitive to temperature and handling methods. Our professional services ensure your products are shipped under optimal conditions.
Cosmetics are classified as "sensitive cargo" for several critical reasons:
1. Regulatory hurdles: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) governs the import of cosmetics. While pre-approval isn't required like for drugs, your products and their ingredients must be safe for consumer use and properly labeled. The FDA can detain shipments at the border if they suspect non-compliance.
2. Customs clearance intricacies: Accurate HS codes and a detailed commercial invoice are non-negotiable. Misclassification can lead to incorrect duty payments and lengthy customs examinations.
3. Safety and Compliance: Many cosmetic products contain flammable, pressurized, or otherwise restricted materials (e.g., setting spray, nail polishes). These are classified as "Dangerous Goods" (DG) and require special documentation, packaging, and handling under IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations.
4. Preservation of Product integrity: Cosmetics are vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, humidity, and physical damage.
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Choosing Senghor Logistics as your logistics partner means you can expect the following services:
1. Contracts signed with airlines
Senghor Logistics has contracts with several major airlines, such as CA, EK, CZ, MU, to ensure your cargo has ample cargo space. This means you don't need to worry about delays or cancellations that might occur with other shipping method.
2. Weekly charter flights
Our weekly charter flights ensure your cosmetics are delivered regularly and efficiently. Our extensive route network includes major U.S. airports such as Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Chicago (ORD), and Dallas (DFW). This consistency is crucial for businesses that rely on timely delivery to meet customer demands.
3. Transparent pricing
We are committed to providing our clients with reasonable prices, with no hidden fees. Furthermore, we have contracted rates with airlines, giving us first-hand air freight rates. Our pricing structure is simple and clear, allowing you to effectively plan your shipping budget. According to our calculations, our long-term clients can save 3% to 5% on logistics costs annually. Furthermore, we regularly update our information to keep you informed of the latest air freight rates, allowing you to plan your cargo preparation accordingly.
4. Professional knowledge in cosmetics transportation
With over a decade of experience in the cosmetics industry, we have a dedicated team handling the transportation of these products. We have handled the shipment of beauty products such as lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeshadows, mascaras, eyeliners, and nail polish from China, and we understand the relevant shipping requirements and regulations, making communication with us easier for you. We are also a logistics partner for many beauty companies and have established relationships with several high-quality cosmetics and packaging suppliers in China, possessing ample experience and resources.
1. Pre-shipment consultation & Regulatory guidance
Our experts will be involved before your goods leave the factory. We will review your products, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and packaging to identify potential regulatory or hazardous materials issues in advance. This requires cooperation from you and your suppliers to correctly complete and submit cargo information and related documents.
You can refer to our story of reviewing air freight documents and ensuring successful transportation for a client.
2. Pick up goods in China
We have an extensive network covering major hubs across China, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and inland cities. We can send cars to pick up goods from your suppliers and consolidate them into a single cost-effective air shipment.
3. Air cargo booking & Real-time feedback
We have long-standing relationships with major airlines, securing reliable space and competitive rates. Our operations and customer service teams will track your air freight shipment and provide timely feedback, ensuring you are always informed of its status.
4. FDA prior notice and Customs clearance in the USA
This is our core expertise. Our US-based team handles all customs clearance procedures. We submit the necessary FDA prior notice electronically (required for all food, drugs, and cosmetics) and handle customs clearance with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Combined with Senghor Logistics' in-depth research on US import tariff rates, this ensures your goods arrive smoothly from the airport to our warehouse.
5. Door-to-Door Service (If required)
If you need door-to-door delivery, once customs are cleared, we will arrange for your cosmetics to be delivered to the designated warehouse, distributor, or fulfillment center anywhere in the USA to complete the shipping process.
Q1: Which types of cosmetics can be transported by air?
A: We can ship various cosmetics, including eyeshadow, mascara, blush, lipstick, and nail polish. However, some ingredients may be restricted, so please consult our team before shipping.
Q2: What documentation is required to ship cosmetics from China to the USA?
A: You will typically need:
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Air Waybill (AWB)
Certificate of Origin (if required for duty purposes)
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all products
FDA Prior Notice (filed by us upon arrival)
Dangerous Goods Declaration (if applicable, prepared by us)
Q3: How long does it take to ship from China to the United States?
A: Generally, air freight takes 1 to 4 days from China to the west coast airports of the United States, and 1 to 5 days to the east coast airports, depending on the route and customs processing time.
Q4: How does the FDA process work, and how do you help?
A: The FDA does not "pre-approve" cosmetics, but they monitor imports at the border. We submit a "Prior Notice" to the FDA before your shipment arrives. Our expertise ensures this filing is accurate and complete, minimizing the risk of examination and detention. We also pre-vet your product labeling and ingredient lists against FDA requirements.
Q5: How much is air shipping from China to the US?
A: Cost depends on factors like volume, weight, DG classification, and specific origin/destination. We provide all-inclusive, no-obligation quotes.
Q6: Who is responsible for paying import duties and taxes?
A: As the importer of record, you are responsible. However, we can calculate the estimated duties for you in advance and handle the payment on your behalf as part of our customs brokerage service, simplifying the process.