Do I need FDA approval to sell Korean-manufactured cosmetics in the US?

Cosmetics in the US do not require FDA pre-market approval, but they must comply with MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act) requirements enacted in 2022. This includes facility registration, product listing, labeling with a US Responsible Person contact, adverse event reporting, and Good Manufacturing Practice compliance. ALTA MEET guides brands through MoCRA compliance as part of our service.

What is a Responsible Person under MoCRA and do I need one?

Under MoCRA, every cosmetic product sold in the US must have a designated Responsible Person (RP), which is the manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name appears on the product label. The RP is responsible for facility registration, product listing, adverse event reporting, and ensuring GMP compliance. For Korean-manufactured products imported to the US, the US-based brand owner or importer typically serves as the Responsible Person.

Will I own the formula if I work with a Korean ODM?

Intellectual property ownership depends on your agreement with the manufacturer. With ODM (Original Design Manufacturing), the base formula is typically owned by the manufacturer, but your customized version and branding are yours. With OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), where you provide the formula, you retain full IP ownership. ALTA MEET helps negotiate clear IP terms in your manufacturing agreement before production begins.

How do US tariffs affect the cost of importing Korean skincare products?

As of 2025, Korean cosmetics imported to the US are subject to a 25% reciprocal tariff. The de minimis exemption (which previously allowed duty-free imports under $800) has also ended. These tariffs add approximately 10-25% to the landed cost of Korean-manufactured products. ALTA MEET helps brands optimize their import strategy through bulk shipping, proper tariff classification, and exploring first-sale valuation where applicable.

How do I choose the right positioning for my K-beauty brand?

Start by identifying your target customer and price point. Premium brands ($60-150) target luxury skincare enthusiasts with rare ingredients. Accessible brands ($15-40) focus on trendy ingredients and social media marketing. Clinical brands ($40-80) emphasize scientific data and dermatologist recommendations.

How can AI help market my beauty brand in 2026?

AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity now recommend products directly to consumers. To get cited, your website needs structured FAQ pages, detailed blog content that answers specific questions, and Schema markup. Traditional SEO alone is no longer enough.

What should I do before contacting a Korean manufacturer?

Define your brand identity, target customer, and product line strategy first. Know your positioning (premium, accessible, or clinical), have a realistic budget, and prepare a brief describing your desired products, ingredients, and packaging preferences.

How much should I budget for marketing a new skincare brand?

Plan to spend at least 30-40% of your total launch budget on marketing. For a $50K launch, that means $15-20K for branding, website, social media content, influencer partnerships, and initial advertising.

Can ALTA MEET help with brand strategy, not just manufacturing?

Yes. We help beauty entrepreneurs with brand positioning, product line strategy, and connecting with the right Korean ODM partner. Our goal is to be your complete K-beauty brand building partner from concept to shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions | ALTA MEET - K-Beauty Manufacturing Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

Start by identifying your target customer and price point. Premium brands ($60-150) target luxury skincare enthusiasts with rare ingredients. Accessible brands ($15-40) focus on trendy ingredients and social media marketing. Clinical brands ($40-80) emphasize scientific data and dermatologist recommendations.
AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity now recommend products directly to consumers. To get cited, your website needs structured FAQ pages, detailed blog content that answers specific questions, and Schema markup. Traditional SEO alone is no longer enough.
Define your brand identity, target customer, and product line strategy first. Know your positioning (premium, accessible, or clinical), have a realistic budget, and prepare a brief describing your desired products, ingredients, and packaging preferences.
Plan to spend at least 30-40% of your total launch budget on marketing. For a $50K launch, that means $15-20K for branding, website, social media content, influencer partnerships, and initial advertising.
Yes. We help beauty entrepreneurs with brand positioning, product line strategy, and connecting with the right Korean ODM partner. Our goal is to be your complete K-beauty brand building partner from concept to shelf.

What is ALTA MEET?

ALTA MEET is a K-beauty manufacturing partner based in New York City. We connect US and European indie beauty brands with a trusted Korean cosmetics manufacturer, handling communication, sample development, and production coordination.

What languages do you support?

We provide full support in English, Italian, and Korean.

What services does ALTA MEET offer?

We offer end-to-end support for launching your K-beauty product: product development, sample management, and production coordination.

What products can you help manufacture?

We specialize in skincare and mask products, including serums, essences, moisturizers, creams, cleansers, toners, sheet masks, and ampoules. For color cosmetics or suncare, contact us for a referral.

Does ALTA MEET charge upfront fees?

No. We work on a commission basis with our manufacturing partner. You pay only the manufacturing costs — our service is included at no extra charge to you.

How does your pricing model work?

When your product goes into production, we receive a commission from the manufacturer. This means there are no consulting fees, project management fees, or hidden markups for you.

Where is ALTA MEET located?

We are based in New York City, USA. This allows us to work on the same time zone as our US and European clients.

What costs will I pay?

You pay for samples and production costs. That's it. Our coordination and support are free.

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Our manufacturing partner offers MOQ starting from 1,000 units — much lower than the industry standard of 5,000+.

Regulatory & Import FAQs

Cosmetics in the US do not require FDA pre-market approval, but they must comply with MoCRA requirements enacted in 2022. This includes facility registration, product listing, labeling, adverse event reporting, and GMP compliance. ALTA MEET guides brands through MoCRA compliance as part of our service.
Under MoCRA, every cosmetic product sold in the US must have a designated Responsible Person (RP) — the manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name appears on the product label. The RP is responsible for facility registration, product listing, adverse event reporting, and ensuring GMP compliance. For Korean-manufactured products imported to the US, the US-based brand owner or importer typically serves as the Responsible Person.
As of 2025, Korean cosmetics imported to the US are subject to a 25% reciprocal tariff. The de minimis exemption (which previously allowed duty-free imports under $800) has also ended. These tariffs add approximately 10-25% to the landed cost of Korean-manufactured products. ALTA MEET helps brands optimize their import strategy through bulk shipping, proper tariff classification, and exploring first-sale valuation where applicable.
Intellectual property ownership depends on your agreement with the manufacturer. With ODM (Original Design Manufacturing), the base formula is typically owned by the manufacturer, but your customized version and branding are yours. With OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), where you provide the formula, you retain full IP ownership. ALTA MEET helps negotiate clear IP terms in your manufacturing agreement before production begins.