Why Guangzhou Is the Ultimate Choice for Cosmetics OEM/ODM?
I. Preface: Why Guangzhou Stands Out as the Top Cosmetics OEM Destination?
In 2023, Guangzhou surpassed Shanghai by an overwhelming margin to become China’s No.1 cosmetics export city. Industrial clusters such as Baiyun Beauty Bay and Huadu Cosmetics Valley contribute over 30% of the national cosmetics production capacity. Home to 1,000+ certified factories, Guangzhou boasts a complete industrial chain covering raw material procurement, R&D, production, packaging, and filing—from Class 100,000 cleanrooms and EU-certified production lines to 48-hour rapid sampling and a library of 5,000+ mature formulas.
But for brands and entrepreneurs, how to select compliant partners amid a mixed bag of factories? How to control OEM costs and avoid pitfalls? How to meet safety assessment requirements under the 2024 new regulations? Combining practical cases from 12 leading factories and the latest policies from the Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, this article breaks down the entire process from qualification verification to mass production delivery. It provides a rare on-site inspection checklist and cost calculation formula to help you accurately match cost-effective factories.

II. Core Competitiveness of Guangzhou Cosmetics Factory: 3 Industrial Advantages
1. National Leading Industrial Cluster Density
- Geographic Distribution: 60% of factories (e.g., Hengfang Biotechnology, Kaimei Cosmetics) are concentrated in Baiyun District (Shenshan Town, Jianggao Town), focusing on mid-to-high-end OEM/ODM; Huadu District specializes in color cosmetics OEM; Huangpu District emphasizes functional product R&D.
- Supply Chain Support: Within 3 kilometers of Baiyun International Convention Center, you can complete raw material procurement (e.g., authorized suppliers of Clariant, DSM), packaging customization (minimum order quantity of 3,000 for glass bottles/tubes), and testing/filing (99.9% pass rate).
- Production Capacity: Leading factories can achieve an annual output of 10 million units (e.g., Hengfang Biotechnology’s 25,000㎡ intelligent factory) and complete restocking within 72 hours during sudden order surges.
2. Leading Compliance Qualifications & International Certifications
- Mandatory Qualifications: All legitimate factories must hold the “Cosmetics Production License” (cosmetics registration number), GMPC + ISO22716 dual certifications; special-purpose cosmetics require an additional “National Special Cosmetics Certificate”.
- Adaptation to 2024 New Regulations: Took the lead in implementing the new cosmetics safety assessment regulations—most factories can provide full-version safety assessment reports and enjoy green channels from Guangzhou regulatory authorities (priority publicity for filings).
- Export Advantages: 80% of leading factories have import-export rights, with products certified by FDA and EU ECOCERT, suitable for cross-border e-commerce channels in Southeast Asia, Europe, and America.

3. Industry Benchmark in R&D & Service Efficiency
- Formula Reserve: Leading factories have 3,000-5,000+ mature formulas (e.g., Kaimei with 5,000+, Bawei with 6,000+), covering popular tracks such as anti-aging, soothing, and whitening. They support 48-hour sampling and 7-day sample confirmation.
- Full-Link Services: Provide one-stop ODM solutions from trademark registration (starting at 2,000 RMB), packaging design, testing/filing (1,200-1,800 RMB per SKU) to logistics and distribution.
- Digital Empowerment: Some factories have introduced AI large models to optimize production processes (e.g., Bawei Co., Ltd.), enabling real-time capacity tracking and order progress visualization.
III. Must-Know for Compliant OEM: Qualification Verification & Policy Interpretation (2025 Update)
1. 3 Authoritative Qualification Inquiry Methods
- NMPA Official Website: Enter “Cosmetics Production Enterprise License Inquiry”, input factory name/license number to verify the validity of the cosmetics registration number and scope of special certificates.
- Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration Platform: Check if the factory is included in the “Guangzhou Cosmetics Safety Assessment Pilot Enterprise” list—these enterprises have a 100% filing pass rate.
- Third-Party Tools: Verify consistency between product filing information and factory qualifications via the “Meili Xiuxing” APP to avoid the risk of “affiliated factories”.
2. Key Points of 2024 Safety Assessment New Regulations
- Transition Period Extension: Before May 1, 2025, registered products can still use simplified safety assessment reports; no need to replace them with full versions for changes.
- Fee Standards: Testing fee: 1,200-1,800 RMB per SKU; filing fee: 800-1,200 RMB per SKU. Legitimate factories do not charge extra (e.g., Kangrong Group).
- Risk Points: Avoid factories unable to provide archived safety assessment reports—strict inspections of “unassessed filed products” will be conducted after May 2025.
IV. Full Breakdown of OEM Costs: Detailed Fees from 0 to 1 (2025 Update)
| Cost Item | Fee Range | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company + Trademark Registration | 2,000-5,000 RMB | Domestic company: 2,000 RMB (5-8 days); Hong Kong company: 5,000 RMB |
| Packaging Cost | 0.5-5 RMB/piece | MOQ: 3,000 for glass bottles (45-day lead time); 5,000 for tubes |
| Raw Material Cost | 25-500 RMB/kg | Basic facial mask: 25 RMB/kg; special-certified anti-aging products: 500 RMB/kg |
| Processing Fee | 0.5-1.5 RMB/piece | Includes filling, labeling, and shrink-wrapping; negotiable for orders over 100,000 pieces |
| Testing + Filing | 2,000-3,000 RMB/SKU | More cost-effective when handled by the factory (99.9% pass rate) |
| Service Fee | 1,000-5,000 RMB/brand | Covers formula customization and packaging coordination; better services from large factories |
Example: Total cost for 100,000 basic facial masks = (25 RMB/kg × 100 kg) + (1 RMB/piece × 100,000) + (0.8 RMB/piece × 100,000) + 3,000 RMB (testing + filing) = 23,800 RMB, unit price: 0.24 RMB/piece.
V. 10-Item On-Site Inspection Checklist for Selecting Reliable Factories (Rare Insights)
- Workshop Standards: Verify Class 100,000 cleanrooms (temperature and humidity controlled at 22±2℃) and fully automatic emulsification equipment (e.g., vacuum homogenizing emulsifiers).
- Original Qualifications: Request original GMPC and ISO22716 certificates, plus product test reports from the past 6 months.
- R&D Team: At least 3 engineers with 10+ years of experience; update ≥20 new formulas monthly (e.g., Boke Factory).
- Capacity Testing: Inquire about “daily single-shift capacity” to avoid delays from small factories taking large orders (leading factories produce 500,000 units/day).
- Sample Quality: Obtain 3 samples of the same type and test stability (no stratification after 48-hour storage at room temperature and low temperature).
- Cooperation Cases: Request 2-3 cooperative brands in the same channel (e.g., e-commerce bestsellers, professional salon products) and verify cooperation authenticity.
- After-Sales Policy: Clarify the rework period for quality issues (legitimate factories promise rework within 7 days) and response speed for filing changes.
- Packaging Resources: Check for fixed packaging suppliers and availability of 3+ alternatives (reduce supply disruption risks).
- Payment Terms: Reject “prepayment of over 50%”; reasonable ratio: 30% prepayment + 50% on mass production + 20% after acceptance.
- Digitalization Level: Availability of production traceability systems for real-time order tracking (e.g., Hengfang Biotechnology’s intelligent factory).
VI. Recommended Leading Guangzhou Cosmetics Factory (Authoritative Reference)
- Kaimei Cosmetics: Mid-to-high-end benchmark with a 20,000㎡ base, 5,000+ formulas, EU certification—suitable for anti-aging/children’s cosmetics tracks.
- Hengfang Biotechnology: Intelligent factory in Baiyun District with 100 million RMB investment, 3,000+ patented formulas—expert in e-commerce bestseller OEM.
- Bawei Co., Ltd.: “First stock of beauty manufacturing” on the Beijing Stock Exchange, 36 quality inspections, 100% pass rate for special-certified product filings.
- Boke Factory: 30 years of industry experience, 30 new formulas monthly, 80%+ repurchase rate for professional salon product OEM.
- Yuerui Biotechnology: 50,000+ formula library, cooperation with international laboratories, full coverage of color cosmetics and skincare products.
VII. FAQ: 6 Most Concerned Questions for Entrepreneurs
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 10,000 units for basic skincare, 30,000 units for color cosmetics. Leading factories support small-batch trial production (e.g., Yisijia’s 72-hour sampling).
- OEM Cycle: After formula confirmation: 45 days (packaging) + 15 days (production) + 7 days (filing) = 67 days; can be shortened to 45 days for expedited service.
- Difference Between OEM and Customization: OEM uses the factory’s mature formulas (lower cost); customization requires new formula R&D (additional 5,000-10,000 RMB R&D fee).
- Export Qualifications: Select factories with import-export rights—they can assist in applying for CE/FDA certifications (3,000-5,000 RMB extra).
- Quality Compensation: Legitimate factories promise “1:1 replacement for damaged packaging, full refund + rework for raw material quality issues”.
- Policy Subsidies: Guangzhou provides Google promotion subsidies for “export-oriented factories”—inquire with factories to apply (e.g., Adolph received 40% inquiry subsidy).

Conclusion: Core Value of Guangzhou Cosmetics Factory
As China’s No.1 cosmetics export city, Guangzhou’s factories excel not only in a complete industrial chain and controllable costs but also in rapid adaptation to compliance policies and R&D innovation capabilities. When selecting a partner, focus on three core factors: “compliant qualifications, matched production capacity, and after-sales guarantee”, with dual checks through on-site inspections and qualification verification. If you need a list of factories for specific tracks (e.g., color cosmetics OEM, cross-border e-commerce dedicated) or customized cost calculations, leave a comment below to receive a free precise matching plan.
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