A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS), also known as a Certificate of Export (COE), certifies that products being exported are freely sold in the country of origin or country of export and consumed by local consumers. It assures the government of the importing country that the imported products comply with their safety and regulatory standards, hence can be consumed by local consumers.

• Certificate of Free Sale (CFS): Confirms to foreign governments that the products shipped are being sold to consumers in the country of export.
• Certificate of Export (COE): Informs the importing country that the products are not sold in the country of export.

The CFS provides foreign governments with assurance that the products being shipped are consumed in the exporting country, ensuring safety for their consumers. The certificate is mainly used to register products with foreign regulatory authorities so that the goods can be imported into a new market. Companies planning to export products need to obtain a CFS to ensure smooth customs clearance and regulatory compliance in the importing country.

The certificate is a regulatory requirement by the importing country. Depending on the country, different authorities require this certificate. Below are some of the importing countries’ authorities that request this certificate.

A new CFS is needed whenever you are planning to register a new product or when the registration license for that country is about to expire.

Yes, the product names intended for export must be listed in the certificate. It is best to list the product names exactly as on the product label, including specifications like ounces (e.g., 1 OZ, 2 OZ).

You can add as many products as needed to the certificate.

Yes, Swiftdox platform issues multi-language certificates, such as English-Spanish and English-Arabic.

A current bill of sale (less than a year old) showing the products sold to a US buyer (consumer or wholesale). The bill of sale should itemize the product names.

Yes, a CFS is issued for a specific country and must mention the country explicitly, for example, “This certificate is for China or Saudi Arabia.”

The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, so it is best to plan accordingly when applying for it.

US Manufacturers, brand owners, or authorized company representatives such as freight forwarders, logistics companies, or regulatory companies can apply for the certificate.

Products such as food, vitamins, supplements, juices, beverages, seafood, exempt medical devices, dietary supplements, soft drinks, CBD products, cosmetics, beauty and wellness products, gummies, and general manufactured goods require a CFS. Essentially, if the product is consumed on the body or in the body, you need a certificate of free sale to meet foreign government regulation requirements.

Asia:

• China: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) often requires a CFS for food products, cosmetics, and medical devices.
• India: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) requires a CFS for various consumables.
• Malaysia: National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) requires a CFS for cosmetics and health supplements.
• Thailand: Thai FDA requires a CFS for cosmetics and dietary supplements.

Africa:

• South Africa: South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) requires a CFS for cosmetics and health products.
• Nigeria: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) requires a CFS for imported food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Kenya: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) require a CFS for cosmetics and health products.

Americas:

• Mexico: The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) requires a CFS for cosmetics and health products.
• Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) requires a CFS for various health-related products.
• Chile: Institute of Public Health of Chile requires a CFS for cosmetics and health products.
• Panama: Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud, MINSA).
• Ecuador: Ministry of Public Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública, MSP).
• Venezuela: Ministry of Popular Power for Health (Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud, MPPS).
• Peru: Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud, MINSA).
• Colombia: Ministry of Health and Social Protection (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, MinSalud).

Middle East:

• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) requires a CFS for various products including cosmetics and food items.
• United Arab Emirates: Ministry of Health and Prevention requires a CFS for products like cosmetics, dietary supplements, vitamins, gummies, beauty, and wellness products.
• Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman: Ministry of Health (MOH) requires a CFS for similar categories of products.
• Egypt: Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of Egypt.