Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with NAFDAC. This is general information, not legal advice — register and verify products only through official NAFDAC channels (nafdac.gov.ng and the NAPAMS portal). Fees, timelines and requirements vary by product category and change — confirm the current tariff on the official portal, and beware agents charging inflated fees.
What counts as a cosmetic
Skincare, haircare, soaps, creams, make-up, fragrances and similar personal-care products need NAFDAC registration before sale.
What you need
A registered company, compliant labels, a GMP facility, samples, and — specific to cosmetics — an ingredient list detailing concentrations and a safety assessment.
Fee
The official cosmetics registration fee is around ₦50,000 per product, plus lab, inspection and documentation costs.
The process
- Apply on NAPAMS with the cosmetic details, ingredient list and safety assessment.
- Pay and submit.
- Facility inspection and lab testing.
- Review, then NAFDAC number & certificate.
Tips
- Ensure ingredients are permitted (avoid banned substances).
- Prepare a proper safety assessment.
- Get labelling compliant.
What NAFDAC checks for cosmetics
Cosmetics registration focuses on ingredient safety and honest labelling. NAFDAC scrutinises the ingredient list for prohibited or restricted substances — a particular issue for skin-lightening products, where actives like mercury are banned and others such as hydroquinone are restricted to permitted limits. Your product must be safe for its intended use, and its label must accurately declare ingredients and directions. Products making exaggerated or medicinal claims will face problems, since those stray into drug territory.
The cosmetics registration process
The pathway follows the standard NAPAMS route: register your business with CAC, create an account, apply per product with your label, formulation and supporting documents, pay the fee, and go through document verification, facility/GMP considerations, sampling and laboratory analysis before approval. Getting your label and ingredient declaration right up front is the biggest time-saver, since label and formulation issues are the usual cause of back-and-forth.
Imported cosmetics
Many cosmetics on the Nigerian market are imported, and they still must be NAFDAC-registered to be sold legally — being popular abroad is not a substitute. Importers typically provide manufacturer documentation and evidence of the product's safety and standards, alongside the usual application. Unregistered imported cosmetics are a common enforcement target, so registration protects both your business and your customers. Consumers can confirm any cosmetic via the Greenbook.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a cosmetic with NAFDAC?
Apply on NAPAMS with a CAC-registered company, an ingredient list with concentrations and a safety assessment, compliant labels and samples; pay (~₦50,000), pass inspection and testing, and get your NAFDAC number.
How much is cosmetics registration?
Around ₦50,000 per product officially, plus lab, inspection and documentation costs.
What is special about cosmetics registration?
Cosmetics require an ingredient list detailing concentrations and a safety assessment, and ingredients must be permitted (no banned substances).
Do cosmetics get lab-tested?
Yes — NAFDAC inspects the facility and tests samples before approval.
What cosmetics need registration?
Skincare, haircare, soaps, creams, make-up, fragrances and similar personal-care products sold in Nigeria.
How do I register cosmetics with NAFDAC?
Register your business with CAC, create a NAPAMS account, then apply per product with your label, ingredient formulation and supporting documents. Pay the fee and go through document verification, sampling and laboratory analysis. On approval NAFDAC issues your registration number and certificate.
Are skin-lightening ingredients allowed in registered cosmetics?
Some are banned and others restricted. Mercury is prohibited in cosmetics, and hydroquinone is restricted to permitted limits. NAFDAC scrutinises ingredient lists for prohibited or restricted substances, so products must stay within the allowed limits to be registered.
How long does cosmetics registration take?
Allow a similar order of time to other food/cosmetic categories — an official target of roughly 90 working days from a complete application, but realistically several months once inspection, sampling and lab analysis are counted. Label and formulation issues are the usual cause of delay.
Do imported cosmetics need NAFDAC registration?
Yes. Imported cosmetics must be NAFDAC-registered to be sold legally in Nigeria, regardless of how established the brand is abroad. Importers provide manufacturer documentation and safety evidence alongside the standard application.
What must a cosmetics label show?
An accurate ingredient declaration and directions for use, manufacturer details, and — after approval — the NAFDAC number. Avoid exaggerated or medicinal claims, which stray into drug territory and cause registration problems.