3–5 business days
Inquiry & Consultation
Every successful Korean cosmetic ODM project starts with a thorough consultation. We review your brand vision, target consumer, product concept, and market goals before recommending the right manufacturing approach.
What Happens
- You submit an inquiry with your product concept and brand brief
- Our team reviews your requirements and assesses feasibility
- We recommend the right manufacturing partner from our network
- You receive an initial proposal covering MOQ, timeline, and estimated cost
- NDA signed to protect your concept and business information
What You Need
- Brand concept and target consumer profile
- Target market (country/region)
- Rough MOQ expectation and budget range
- Any target or benchmark products you have in mind
The more specific your brief, the faster we can match you with the right factory. Vague briefs lead to vague proposals.
5–7 business days
Target Product Analysis
This is the most critical and most misunderstood step in Korean cosmetic ODM. Texture, absorption, finish, spreadability, and skin feel cannot be described in words alone. Sending a physical benchmark product gives our R&D team a precise, shared reference point.
What Happens
- You ship your benchmark or target product(s) to our Korea office
- Our R&D team conducts a full sensory and technical analysis
- We identify key formulation characteristics: viscosity, emulsion type, active profile
- A detailed analysis report is prepared and shared with you
- Formula development brief is finalized based on the analysis
What You Need
- 1–3 benchmark products that represent your desired texture and performance
- Notes on what you love and what you want to improve
- Any specific ingredients to include or avoid
- Target price point and positioning (mass, premium, luxury)
Sending a target product reduces sample iterations from 6–8 rounds to 2–3 rounds, saving weeks of time and thousands in sampling costs.
4–6 weeks
Formula Development
Korean cosmetic R&D teams develop a custom formula based on your target product analysis and brand brief. This is where Korea's formulation expertise truly shines — access to cutting-edge ingredients, advanced delivery systems, and decades of texture engineering experience.
What Happens
- R&D team formulates a base formula matching your target profile
- Active ingredients are selected and stability-tested
- Preservative system is optimized for your target market regulations
- First lab sample is prepared and internally evaluated
- Sample is shipped to you for initial review
What You Need
- Approved formula brief from Stage 2
- Ingredient preferences or restrictions (vegan, fragrance-free, etc.)
- Target market regulatory requirements (US FDA, EU, ASEAN)
- Prompt feedback on each sample received
Be specific in your feedback. 'Too heavy' is less useful than 'absorbs too slowly and leaves a greasy residue after 30 minutes on combination skin.'
3–5 weeks
Sampling & Approval
Lab samples are shipped to you for real-world evaluation. You test texture, scent, performance, and skin feel. Feedback is communicated to the R&D team, who refine the formula accordingly. Most projects require 2–4 rounds of sampling before formula approval.
What Happens
- Lab samples shipped to your location for evaluation
- You test on real skin and gather feedback from your team
- Detailed feedback submitted to R&D team
- Formula is refined and next sample prepared
- Process repeats until formula is approved
What You Need
- Dedicated time to test samples thoroughly (at least 1–2 weeks per round)
- Structured feedback covering texture, scent, absorption, finish, and skin feel
- Clear go/no-go decision at each round
- Patience — great formulas take iteration
Test samples on your actual target consumer if possible. What feels right to you may feel different to your customer.
3–5 weeks (parallel)
Packaging & Label Finalization
While formula sampling is underway, packaging development runs in parallel. We source compatible packaging components, coordinate label design, and ensure everything meets your target market's regulatory labeling requirements.
What Happens
- Packaging options presented based on your product type and budget
- Stock vs. custom packaging decision made
- Label design brief prepared and artwork created
- Packaging compatibility with formula confirmed
- Final packaging and label approved for production
What You Need
- Brand identity assets (logo, colors, fonts)
- Label copy including ingredient list, claims, and regulatory text
- Packaging preference (airless pump, glass, tube, jar, etc.)
- Budget range for packaging per unit
Start packaging development as early as possible — custom packaging tooling can take 6–8 weeks and is often the critical path item.
4–6 weeks
Production & Quality Control
Once formula and packaging are approved, full-scale production begins. Korean cosmetic manufacturers conduct rigorous QC at every stage — raw material testing, in-process checks, and finished product batch testing. You receive a pre-production sample for final sign-off before the full run.
What Happens
- Pre-production sample prepared and sent for final approval
- Raw materials tested and approved before production
- Full-scale manufacturing begins after your sign-off
- In-process quality checks at every production stage
- Finished product batch testing: COA, stability, microbial
What You Need
- Final approval on pre-production sample
- Production deposit payment (typically 30–50%)
- Confirmed delivery address and shipping terms
- Any market-specific QC requirements
Request a factory visit or video call during production if you want real-time visibility. Most of our partners welcome this.
2–3 weeks (parallel)
Documentation & Compliance
Export documentation is prepared in parallel with production. This includes all standard export documents plus any market-specific regulatory filings. Getting documentation right is critical — missing or incorrect paperwork is the most common cause of customs delays.
What Happens
- Certificate of Origin and Free Sale Certificate obtained
- COA and MSDS prepared for each product
- Market-specific filings initiated (FDA, EU CPNP, ASEAN notification)
- Commercial invoice and packing list prepared
- Full documentation package reviewed and finalized
What You Need
- Confirmed target market(s) for regulatory filing
- EU Responsible Person details (for EU market)
- Importer of record information
- Any market-specific labeling or registration requirements
For EU market entry, appoint your Responsible Person before production starts — CPNP notification can take 4–6 weeks.
1–3 weeks (transit)
Export & Delivery
Your finished products are packed, inspected, and shipped to your destination. We coordinate with freight forwarders, prepare all shipping documentation, and provide real-time tracking. Your first shipment from Korea marks the beginning of your brand's journey.
What Happens
- Final pre-shipment inspection completed
- Products packed and palletized to your specifications
- Freight forwarder coordinated (sea or air freight)
- All shipping documents prepared and verified
- Shipment dispatched with tracking information provided
What You Need
- Confirmed delivery address and contact
- Preferred shipping method (sea freight or air freight)
- Import customs broker in your country
- Balance payment before shipment
Sea freight from Korea to most destinations takes 2–4 weeks. Plan your inventory accordingly — reorder before you run out.
Complete ODM Timeline
A typical Korean cosmetic ODM project from first inquiry to delivery in your warehouse.
Inquiry & Consultation
3–5 business days
Target Product Analysis
5–7 business days
Formula Development
4–6 weeks
Sampling & Approval
3–5 weeks
Packaging & Label Finalization
3–5 weeks (parallel)
Production & Quality Control
4–6 weeks
Documentation & Compliance
2–3 weeks (parallel)
Export & Delivery
1–3 weeks (transit)
Total Timeline
4–6 months (standard) · 6–8 months (complex)
ODM Process FAQ
Everything international buyers ask before starting their Korean cosmetic ODM project.
Related Guides
Ready to Begin Your
Korean ODM Journey?
Our team guides you through every stage — from your first inquiry to your first shipment. Tell us about your product concept and we'll map out a realistic plan.