Chinese cosmetics shipments to Russia rise 74% to more than $152 million

Shipments exceed $152 million

Chinese shipments of cosmetics and perfumery to Russia increased 74% year on year in January-May 2026 and exceeded $152 million, Kommersant reported, citing data from China’s General Administration of Customs. The advance reflects the expanding role of Chinese suppliers in a Russian beauty market that has substantially redirected its sourcing toward Asia over the past four years.

Skin and facial care products recorded the strongest increase among the main categories, climbing 95%, according to Tochka Bank data cited in a separate report. These goods accounted for almost one-third of the covered imports. Shipments of color cosmetics grew 54%, although the performance within that category was uneven: powders and lip products expanded, while mascara and eye shadow remained at approximately their previous levels.

Hair-product imports rose almost 2.8 times. Oral hygiene products, shaving preparations and deodorants increased 38%, while perfumery registered a more moderate gain of 10%. The figures indicate that growth is spreading across both everyday personal-care products and discretionary beauty categories, rather than being concentrated in a single product group.

Russian industry turns toward Asian supply

The shift encompasses ingredients as well as finished goods. Tatiana Lebedeva, director of the ONE association of organic, natural and eco-cosmetics producers, told Kommersant that a market formerly reliant mainly on European raw materials had moved significantly toward China during the past four years, initially because of logistics. She also pointed to advances in Chinese green chemistry, including the development of plant-derived panthenol suitable for certified natural cosmetics.

Quality remains a concern for some Russian manufacturers. Sergei Andreev, executive director of 1753 cosmetics, told Kommersant that Chinese production costs are substantially lower, but questioned the consistency of certain components. His company continues to use German-made BASF filters after its laboratory rejected Korean SPF filters tested in 2022. Andreev also said European and US fragrances offer greater predictability in meeting Russian standards, while noting that Russia produces a large range of high-quality oils.

South Korea is also strengthening its position. Russian imports from the country reached nearly $49 million in June 2026, 73% more than in June 2025, according to Kommersant. Over the first six months of 2026, Russia ranked seventh among importers of South Korean cosmetics, behind the United States, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Poland and Vietnam.

Competition intensifies in a growing market

Russia’s perfume and cosmetics sales increased by more than 8% in 2025, taking the market to RUB 1.43 trillion, according to RBC Market Research data cited by Kommersant. Analysts expect growth of about 5.5% in 2026, which would lift turnover above RUB 1.5 trillion.

That expansion is attracting new brands, including businesses that outsource production to Chinese factories. Lebedeva warned, however, that the private-label cosmetics segment has become highly crowded. Bloggers and influencers have entered the industry as a way to monetize their audiences, making a market that appeared relatively open five years ago considerably more competitive.

For Russian producers and distributors, the import surge creates a broader choice of finished products and ingredients at potentially lower cost. It also raises the importance of supplier testing, standards compliance and product differentiation. Chinese suppliers are gaining scale rapidly, but price alone may not determine which brands and components secure lasting positions in Russia.