IBA offers Certificates of Free Sale, GMP Certificates, and Document Authentication for over 140 countries.
In 2023, over 1,750 Export Certificates were processed for IBA Member firms.
Cosmetic companies exporting products from the United States are often required by foreign governments, regulatory bodies, overseas distributors, or customers to provide certain export certificates in order to import a cosmetic or personal care product into that country.
The FDA has identified IBA as having the expertise to issue these certificates, which we initiated in 1992.
Certificate Program services are available to current IBA Members for cosmetic products manufactured in the United States
Export Certificates Offered
- A Certificate of Free Sale* states that the products to be exported from the United States are sold freely and without restriction in the US.
- A Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP Certificate states that the products are manufactured in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines issued by the FDA and that the products are not adulterated or misbranded.
- A Document Authentication certificate can be ordered for documents such as Letters of Authorization, product formulations, and Powers of Attorney that require legalization from the embassy or apostille from the Secretary of State.
Log into your Membership account to have access to these services. Not a member? Join IBA!
For further info on this program, contact IBA at info@independentbeauty.org or 800-334-2623.
*Note: The following product categories are not currently eligible for IBA export certificates – dietary supplements; ingestible or beauty-from-within products; or medical devices.
Tariff Updates
Members can access details on the recently announced tariffs as well as the countermeasures imposed by other countries. There are many potential impacts for companies in the cosmetics and personal care industry. Log into your Membership account to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is A GMP Certificate And Why Would I Need One?
GMP Certificates are an attestation that the listed products are manufactured in accordance with the cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines issued by the U.S. FDA, all applicable laws and regulations, and that the products are not adulterated or misbranded. A Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is required by many countries for import and registration purposes. Your distributor may ask for a GMP Certificate to assist with product registration in-country.
Please note, IBA does not perform GMP audits. The Member Company requesting a GMP Certificate is responsible for assuring that the GMP attestation is accurate.
- What Is A Certificate Of Free Sale?
A Certificate of Free Sale is an attestation that the products listed in the document are identical to products sold freely and without restriction in the United States. Products that are not sold in the U.S. are not able to be included in Certificates of Free Sale. A Certificate of Free Sale is required by many countries for import and registration purposes. Your distributor may ask for a Certificate of Free Sale to assist with product registration in-country.
- What Types Of Documents Can I Have Authenticated?
Some common documents that may need to be Authenticated for international registration include: BSE and TSE statements (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies), Power of Attorney, Letters of Designation, etc. Please contact the IBA Export team to discuss custom requests. If IBA can issue the document, customization is available to all Members!
- Can I Include Any Product On An IBA Export Certificate? Are Any Products Excluded?
Only cosmetic products and Over-The-Counter drugs that are regulated as cosmetics in the intended export market can be included in IBA Export Certificates.
The following product categories are currently excluded from IBA Export Certificates: CBD cosmetics, products regulated as drugs in the intended export country, medical devices, dietary supplements/beauty-from-within/ingestible products.
- Are IBA Export Certificates Included With My IBA Membership Dues?
IBA Export Certificates are only available to current IBA Member Companies. Export Certificates are subject to fees in addition to IBA Membership dues. Fees are charged for document processing at the Secretary of State, U.S. State Department and/or embassies. The fees incurred by IBA vary by country and whether expedited service has been requested.
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