Selling Products from Your Salon — Allegro, Etsy and Your Own Online Shop [2026]

Selling cosmetic products alongside salon services is an increasingly popular way to generate additional income. Nail polishes, oils, files, bases and top coats -- clients want to use the same products at home. But before you list your first product on Allegro, Etsy or your own online shop, you need to understand the legal obligations that apply to you. These differ significantly depending on whether you are a reseller or a creator of your own products.

Reseller or Manufacturer -- the Key Distinction

EU cosmetics law (Regulation 1223/2009) divides businesses into two categories, and the consequences of this distinction are significant.

You are a reseller if you purchase ready-made, legally marketed products from a wholesaler or distributor and sell them on in their original packaging without any modifications. This is the simpler case: the manufacturer or the "responsible person" named on the packaging is liable for the product's compliance with the regulation. Your obligations are primarily: selling only products within their expiry dates, complete labels in Polish, correct storage conditions, and a fiscal till or electronic receipt if you sell to consumers.

You are a manufacturer if you create your own blends, apply your own labels to base products (private label), or repackage bulk products into smaller containers. In this case you must fulfil the full obligations under Regulation 1223/2009: designate a responsible person in the EU, have a safety assessment carried out by a qualified expert, notify the European Commission via the CPNP portal (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal), maintain a Product Information File (PIF), and ensure correct labelling.

Violating these rules is not just a Sanepid inspection risk -- civil and criminal liability for a non-compliant product can be very serious.

Sales Platforms -- Allegro, Etsy and Your Own Shop

Allegro requires sellers to have an active NIP tax number and an entry in CEIDG or KRS. Selling on a private account is possible occasionally, but regular commercial activity without business registration violates the platform's terms of service and tax law. Allegro charges commission (3-12% depending on category) and reports sellers' revenues to the tax authority. The "Beauty" category on Allegro requires cosmetic products to have Polish-language labelling.

Etsy is popular among salon owners selling accessories or handmade products. One important rule: if you sell products to customers in other EU countries (e.g. Czech Republic or Germany), you may be required to register for the VAT OSS (One Stop Shop) scheme. The revenue threshold above which VAT OSS becomes mandatory is 10,000 euros per year from cross-border sales. Etsy as a platform automatically collects VAT from buyers in some countries, but your tax obligations in Poland remain unchanged.

Your own online shop (WooCommerce, Shopify, PrestaShop) gives you the most control, but requires additional formalities: shop terms and conditions, privacy policy (GDPR), returns policy (14-day right of withdrawal for consumers), and seller information. Remember the information obligation under distance selling rules (Consumer Rights Act).

Labelling and Fiscal Till Requirements

Every cosmetic product sold in the EU must have a label containing: the name and address of the responsible person, nominal content, minimum durability date or PAO (Period After Opening -- the open jar symbol with a number of months), special precautions, batch number (lot number), intended use (if not clear from packaging), and the full list of ingredients in INCI format. The label must be in Polish if the product is sold in Poland.

If you sell products to consumers (not businesses), you most likely need to use a fiscal till or qualify for an exemption. The exemption from fiscal till applies to revenues up to 20,000 PLN per year from sales to natural persons -- but only if every transaction is paid in full online or by bank transfer. Cash on delivery or cash payments require a till from the very first transaction.

What you absolutely cannot sell: products past their expiry date, repackaged products without correct labelling, products with removed or covered original labels, and products for which there is no CPNP notification if you are the responsible person.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to register every product I sell with CPNP?

No, if you are a reseller. CPNP notification is the obligation of the manufacturer or responsible person, not the retail seller. However, if you create your own products or repackage ready-made ones -- yes, CPNP registration is mandatory before placing the product on the market.

I sell products that I use in my salon. Does that make me a manufacturer?

No, if you buy them from an authorised distributor in original packaging and sell them without modification. However, if you apply your own label to a bottle, mix ingredients, or transfer them into different containers -- yes, you become a manufacturer with full obligations.

Does the 14-day right of return apply to cosmetic products?

Yes, for distance sales (internet, phone) the consumer has the right to return without giving a reason within 14 days. The exception is sealed products that have been opened after delivery and cannot be returned for hygiene reasons -- but this exception must be explicitly stated in your terms and conditions and only applies to opened packaging.

Do I need to issue invoices for product sales?

You issue an invoice on the client's request -- you do not have to issue one on your own initiative when selling to consumers. For businesses (B2B), an invoice is standard. If you use a fiscal till, the receipt replaces an invoice for consumers.

Does selling through Allegro require a separate business registration?

Regular commercial sales require business registration (CEIDG or a company). Occasional sales of your own items (e.g. used equipment) may be exempt, but regular sales of new cosmetic products as a business require registration. Operating without registration when selling regularly is a tax enforcement risk.