Yes, a UK perfume, candle or wax melt brand can buy fragrance oils from a Dubai supplier: the oil itself is a raw material, and the UK rules mostly apply to the finished product you sell. Perfume brands need a UK Responsible Person, a safety assessment and an SCPN notification before sale, while candle and wax melt brands need to check GB CLP hazard labelling.
Below are the rules by product type, the documents to ask for, and the official UK pages. For customs, duty and VAT, see our import guide for the US, UK and Australia.
Quick specs
- MOQ: none on in stock 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 the UK. Orders of USD 300 or more ship free.
Which UK rules apply to you
| Your situation | What applies | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| You sell perfume or body mist in Great Britain | A UK Responsible Person, a safety report signed by a qualified safety assessor, a Product Information File, and an SCPN notification before sale | Submit a cosmetic product notification (OPSS) |
| You label that perfume | Ingredients in English, fragrance shown as "parfum", and certain fragrance ingredients named on their own above 0.001% in leave on products | GB cosmetics guidance |
| You make candles, wax melts or reed diffusers | GB CLP: if the finished mixture is hazardous, it needs a hazard label with the right pictograms and warnings | The GB CLP Regulation (HSE) |
| You import large volumes of a chemical | UK REACH registration covers substances, including in mixtures, imported above one tonne a year | UK REACH registration (HSE) |
| Your goods arrive in Great Britain | An EORI number starting with GB, a commodity code and an import declaration | Import goods into the UK (GOV.UK) |
Perfume brands: Responsible Person and SCPN
OPSS says the Responsible Person can be the manufacturer, the importer, a distributor who sells the product under its own brand, or a company appointed in writing. If you make and brand the perfume in the UK, that is usually you. To notify, you need the product name and category, where the file is kept, an urgent contact, an ingredient summary and a label image.
The GB guidance says companies need information from their perfume compound suppliers to check allergen levels, so ask for the IFRA certificate and allergen data before you sign off a formula. Northern Ireland uses a separate process, so check the OPSS page if you sell there.
Candle and wax melt brands: GB CLP labels
Candles are treated as mixtures under CLP, and the fragrance is usually what triggers warnings. The candle guidance from HSENI explains that a candle with a sensitising fragrance ingredient above 0.1% should say "Contains (name). May produce an allergic reaction." Work out your label from the SDS at your real dose, and see our wax melt dosage guide.
Documents to ask your Dubai supplier for
- SDS: the starting point for your CLP label and safe handling.
- IFRA certificate: the maximum use level by product type. Our guide to IFRA categories shows how to read it.
- Allergen information: for your safety assessor and perfume label.
- COA: batch test results for your product file.
- Commercial invoice and packing list: for your customs agent.
A simple order plan
- Order 10 ml samples and test them in your own base. Our guide on testing samples first shows how.
- Send the SDS, IFRA certificate and allergen data to your safety assessor or label adviser.
- Get your EORI number and ask your customs agent to confirm the commodity code.
- Place the bulk order, then notify on SCPN or finish your CLP label before you sell.
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. Comparing local options too? See our roundup of fragrance oil suppliers in the UK.
FAQ
Do I need a UK Responsible Person to sell perfume made with Dubai oil?
Yes. Every cosmetic product placed on the GB market needs a Responsible Person established in the UK, usually your business if you make and brand it.
Does the fragrance oil itself need an SCPN notification?
SCPN covers cosmetic products made available to consumers. You notify the finished perfume, not a bulk oil you blend. If you plan to resell the oil as it is, check with OPSS first.
Do candles need a CLP label in the UK?
Only if the finished candle is classified as hazardous or needs a sensitiser warning, which depends on the fragrance and dose. Use the supplier SDS and confirm with HSE or a label adviser.
Do I need UK REACH registration?
It applies to substances you import above one tonne a year, including in mixtures. Check with HSE if your volumes are near that level.
Can I test samples before a bulk order?
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.
