By inquiring the information on the approval documents for cosmetics published on the website of CFDA, the number of approval documents, country of origin, ultraviolet defense ability, dosage form, and sunscreen agents for the import of sunscreen cosmetics in China from 2017 to 2021 were summarized and analyzed. The results showed that 3 057 approval documents for imported sunscreen cosmetics were issued in China during the past five years from 2017 to 2021, and South Korea was the largest country of origin of imported sunscreen cosmetics; in terms of ultraviolet defense ability, SPF value did not significantly increase, and the proportion of products with high PFA values was significantly increased; the main dosage form of imported sunscreen cosmetics was cream, while spray had a gradually increasing trend; the sunscreen agent with the highest frequency of use in the product formulas was ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate with a relatively high safety. Based on the analysis results above, further analysis was made combined with literature reports, regulatory supervision and social hotspots, which was helpful to fully understand the situation of imported sunscreen cosmetics in China and provide useful references for the market supervision of cosmetics in China and the research and development of cosmetics for domestic enterprises.