British brands – from heritage names to independent newcomers – have a strong reputation on the international stage, and the demand for British products continues to grow in Europe, North America and beyond. With the global beauty and personal care market currently valued at over $600 billion and projected to grow, British beauty brands are very well positioned to tap into export opportunities and benefit from the UK’s 40 trade deals covering over 100 countries and territories.

Whether you are a small, new brand pondering your first overseas retailer or an established business ready to scale internationally, our Trade Hub equips you with the information you need to start exporting beauty.

Finding the right markets

When looking to trade overseas, consider the following:

• Decide which markets are most suitable for your business and monitor applicable tariffs and quotas.
• Choose strategic partners who can help reduce the cost of essential functions such as storage and shipping.
• Understand currency implications such as FX rates and conversions.
• Make sure you’re protected from risk by exploring hedging strategies.

Customs, duties and declarations

Businesses that import or export goods into or from the UK must be signed up to the HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS).The service can be used to submit import or export declarations, access VAT statements, returns, or certificates, and pay Customs Duty and import VAT.

• Information about the CDS can be accessed here.
• Subscribe to the CDS here.

Exporting goods

How to move goods from the UK: step by step guide.

The Department for Business and Trade’s Export Support Directory connects businesses with export advisors across the globe, as well as legal advice, accounting, HR and more.

Check out this useful guidance on sending goods to an overseas customer using rules of origin to check the goods you export from the UK meet the relevant rules of origin and provide proof of where the goods originate from.

DHL and the Post Office both have a list of prohibited and restricted items on their websites which you can check before sending items to ensure your parcels are delivered without delay.

You’ll need to find the right commodity code for any goods you export, using the Trade Tariff tool. This will ensure you pay the right Customs Duty.

Information on moving goods from the UK to the rest of the world, including rules and restrictions, tax and duty rates and what exporting documents you need: Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods.

Scottish Enterprise have produced a really easy to follow ‘6 step guide to exporting success’ which can be applied whether your business is based in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK.

Before your drivers transport goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes, you must declare the details on an EU portal.

Importing Goods

How to move goods into the UK: step by step guide.

You will need to get UK customs clearance to import goods into the UK.

You must make customs declarations to the Customs Declaration Service for goods coming to the UK. You don’t have to deal with customs on your own. If your business doesn’t have the right resources to make customs declarations, you can hire someone to deal with this for you. Your options are:

• Make declarations yourself. You’ll need to find the right commodity code for any goods you import using the Trade Tariff tool. This will ensure you pay the right import VAT.
• Get a specialist to make declarations for you. You can view the list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can help with submitting customs declarations.
• Find a list of customs training providers which will help you submit customs declarations.
• Find a list of software developers providing customs declaration software and support.
• ChamberCustoms offer customs clearance services, customs training courses, bespoke advice and an Import Tax Calculator.

If you import goods regularly, you can apply for a duty deferment account to delay paying most customs and tax charges.

The UK Government has also introduced its Advance Valuation Ruling Service which importers can use to get legal certainty on their valuation method for imported goods for a period of three years. An Advance Valuation Ruling is not mandatory and you can still import goods into the UK without one; however, having one can help make sure you pay the correct duty on the goods you import. You can apply for an Advance Valuation Ruling here.

If you import goods from outside the UK and want to store the goods to delay duty payments, you can do this in a customs warehouse. Find out more about operating a customs warehouse here.

• All cosmetic products available to consumers must have a ‘Responsible Person’ who makes sure safety measures are followed and legal obligations met.
• Decide when you will account for import VAT and pay customs duty.
• Get an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
• Make sure the goods are correctly labelled and marked.
• If you are handling customs declarations yourself, you will need to arrange inspections for animal/plant-based products.
• Claim a VAT refund.
• Claim a refund if you think you paid the wrong amount of duty or have rejected the imported goods.

Financing your export journey

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK government’s export credit agency. They support UK exporters, international project sponsors and buyers of UK goods and services; in the year 2022-23, they provided £6.5 billion in new, direct support for UK exports by working alongside over 100 banks and lenders to provide flexible, innovative, and competitive financing solutions.

UKEF can support companies large and small across a range of sectors with their exports, from capital goods to services and intangibles such as intellectual property.

Last year, 84% of the companies we directly supported with a UKEF product were SMEs. To find out more on how UK Export Finance can support you, visit: www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk.

Finally, you can apply for UKEF export credit insurance by clicking here.

Export advice and support

Business Academy

The Department for Business and Trade runs home and overseas events designed to connect UK businesses with international trade and business opportunities, trade missions and sponsorships.

You can find the current list of events here.

Businesses can also join the Business Academy for a calendar of free live webinars on running and growing their business abroad.

Trade Advisers

The Department for Business and Trade has International Trade Advisers (ITAs) across the English regions who offer one-on-one support and provide regional and sectoral expertise about how to invest, grow and export.

To request access to an International Trade Adviser, one needs to submit a query to the export support team.

More information on these services can be found here.

British Library

The British Library’s Business and IP Centre (BIPC) offers resources and programmes to support small business owners, entrepreneurs, and others at the beginning of their business journey. The BIPC’s range of free resources, both virtual and in-person, is there to help start or develop a business.

• Expert advice, talks and masterclasses that cover useful information for beginning a business.
• The Get Ready for Business Growth scale-up programme offers one-to-one guidance from experts, online workshops and bespoke research for your business. Applications are open to UK-based businesses from all sectors, trading for at least one year and with annual turnover exceeding £80,000 (£100,000 in London).
• A national network of BIPCs across the UK that can help with business support and guidance. Find your local BIPC here
• Kickstart Your Business is a free two-day workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs and those in the early stages of business development.
• You can also get a free Reader’s Pass to access the Library’s collection, which includes premium market information and intelligence to help you start and grow your business.

Key contacts and helplines

Useful content on the HMRC YouTube channel, including these videos:

• What is customs?
• Getting someone to deal with customs for you
• How can a customs intermediary help me?
• What are controlled goods?
• What are commodity codes?

You can get in touch with HMRC by phone, webchat or contact form for any import and export queries you may have. The phone lines and webchat services are open Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm, and closed Bank holidays and weekends.

• Customs declarations, simplified customs procedures, duties and tariffs: 0300 322 9434
• Trader import and export licences and certificates of free sale: 03300 416500
• Importing and exporting of waste: 03708 506 506
• Vehicles enquiries: 0300 790 6802
• Driving licences and International driving permits: 0300 790 6802
• Operator licence and permits: 0300 790 6801
• Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC): 0300 790 6801

Economy

• Business support helpline (England): 0800 998 1098
• Find Business Support Scotland helpline: 0300 303 0660
• Business Wales helpline: 0300 060 3000
• Invest Northern Ireland helpline: 0800 181 4422
• Regulation of manufactured goods: 0121 345 1201
• CE/UKCA marking: 0121 345 1201
• Regulation of medicines and medical devices: 020 3080 6000
• Supply of medicinal products: 0800 915 9964

Energy

• EU Emissions Trading System, Allowances and Carbon Emissions, UK Energy Markets, Single Electricity Market, Civil Nuclear and Electricity Suppliers and Systems: 020 7215 5000

Data and Intellectual Property

• Intellectual Property Office: 0300 300 2000
• Information Commissioner’s Office: 0303 123 1113
• Consumer Rights: 0808 223 1133
• Consumer Rights (Welsh language option): 08082231144

Other

• Department for Education helpline: 0370 000 2288
• Home Office helpline: 0300 790 6268
• Department for International Trade Brexit Enquiry Service: 0300 123 7379