Yes, an Australian perfume, candle or soap brand can buy fragrance oils from a Dubai supplier, but if you import the oil yourself for commercial use, you must register your business with AICIS before the first shipment. There is no minimum quantity, so the rule applies to a small start up ordering one bottle as much as to a large manufacturer.
Below: what AICIS registration means, how perfume labelling works in Australia, and which documents to request. We link to official pages instead of quoting fees.
Quick specs
- MOQ: none on in stock library oils. Oils not in stock start at 5 kg.
- Sizes: 100 ml, 500 ml, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg.
- Samples: 10 ml at AED 45 (about USD 12).
- Documents: IFRA certificate, SDS and COA on request.
- Shipping: worldwide from the UAE, including Australia. Orders of USD 300 or more ship free.
What AICIS registration means for fragrance oil buyers
The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) regulates chemicals brought into Australia for industrial and cosmetic use. According to AICIS, registration is a legal requirement for any business, including sole traders, that imports industrial chemicals. You register your business, not each product, and you do it before you import.
A few points small brands often miss:
- No threshold. AICIS says you must register regardless of the quantity you import, even if you are a small or start up business.
- Yearly renewal. The registration year runs from 1 September to 31 August, and you renew each year you keep importing.
- Natural is not exempt. AICIS notes that essential oils and plant extracts described as natural can still be regulated as industrial chemicals.
Registration is only the first step. The AICIS flavour and fragrance page explains that you also check each chemical in the oil is listed on the AICIS Inventory. Where the identity of fragrance chemicals is a trade secret, AICIS offers a reported introduction pathway for low risk flavour or fragrance blends, which uses a nominated chemical data provider. Ask your supplier early how they can support this.
Which rules apply to your business
| Your situation | AICIS registration | Other points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Perfume brand importing fragrance oil from Dubai | Required before the first import | Inventory check for the oil's chemicals and ingredient labelling on the finished perfume |
| Candle or wax melt maker importing fragrance oil | Required before the first import | Inventory check, plus the IFRA limits for candles and melts |
| Soap maker importing fragrance oil | Required before the first import | Inventory check and ingredient labelling |
| Brand buying the same oil from an Australian distributor | Not needed for that purchase | The local supplier holds the registration |
| Any shipment arriving in Australia | Not a customs step | Customs clearance and the AUD 1,000 import declaration threshold set by the Australian Border Force |
Points above were read from the official AICIS, ACCC and ABF pages on 1 November 2026. Check the current pages before you order.
Labelling your perfume in Australia
Perfume applied to the body counts as a cosmetic under the ACCC cosmetics ingredients labelling standard, which comes from the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020. Ingredients must be listed on the container in descending order by mass or volume. Ingredients under 1% may follow in any order, with colour additives last. Free samples and testers are excluded from the standard.
Documents to request from your oil supplier
- IFRA certificate: shows the maximum use level for each product type. Our guide to IFRA categories explains how to read it.
- SDS: for safe handling and your courier.
- COA: confirms the batch you received.
- Commercial invoice: each oil by name, pack size, quantity, value and country of origin, for customs.
A simple order plan for a small Australian brand
- Register first. Complete your AICIS business registration before any oil leaves Dubai.
- Sample your shortlist. Order 10 ml samples and test them in your own base. See how we suggest you test samples before you scale.
- Plan customs. Our guide to importing perfume oils from Dubai to Australia covers the ABF thresholds and paperwork.
Ordering from Aroma Labs
We make our oils in our own factory in Sharjah, UAE, and ship worldwide. We supply fragrance oils only: 100% concentrate, no DPG and no fixatives, and they work in alcohol based perfumes.
FAQ
Do I need AICIS registration to import a small amount of fragrance oil?
Yes. AICIS states there is no threshold limit, so registration applies regardless of the quantity you import for commercial purposes.
Do I need to register if I buy fragrance oil from an Australian shop?
Not for that purchase. AICIS says the Australian supplier has already registered, so you do not need to register for that purpose.
Are essential oils and natural fragrance oils exempt?
No. AICIS notes that oils described as natural or organic can still be regulated as industrial chemicals, for example when made by steam distillation.
Does my Dubai supplier need to be registered in Australia?
No. The Australian business that imports the oil is the one that registers with AICIS. Your supplier provides the documents you need.
Can I order a sample before buying in bulk?
Yes. Our 10 ml samples are AED 45 each, and in stock oils have no minimum order. For a quote, email ankit@aromalabs.store with the oils, sizes and your city.
