Japanese cosmetics imports to China fall sharply, returns on the rise

(ECNS) -- Japanese cosmetics brands have adopted an  emergency response to product safety after Tokyo Electric Power Company started to release nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.

SK-II, CPB, Shiseido, Shu uemura, Kao, Muji, KOSE, and other Japanese cosmetics brands told China News Service on Friday that all products sold in the Chinese market are in line with relevant local standards.

Among these brands, KAO stressed that all products imported from Japan to China via official channels will be tested for radioactive substances to ensure their safety.

Some consumers have returned goods bought online from these Japanese brands, even though they have repeatedly declared their products are safe. A consumer returned all Japanese products that were bought from an offshore duty-free shop in Sanya, Hainan Province, the customer said.

Previously, a goods return wave swept Japanese brands when Tokyo Electric Power Company began trialing the equipment to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific in June.

Data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GAC) shows that China is an important importer of Japanese cosmetics.

Since May 2023, cosmetics imported from Japan began to decline sharply. The import value in June decreased by 8.4 percent year on year and in July, dropped by 30 percent year on year, data from GMC showed.

In June, Shanghai Customs replied to questions related to Japan-imported cosmetics safety. It said that nuclear radiation monitoring will be carried out on imported goods, luggage and postal articles in accordance with the requirements of the GAC.

In addition, it will conduct targeted risk analysis and inspection and laboratory testing according to the attributes and sources of goods to prohibit the entry of goods and articles exposed to excessive nuclear radiation.