The deal will directly benefit UK cosmetics and toiletries exporters. According to HM Government, through “this deal, tariffs on soaps, shaving cream, face cream and nail polish will either be removed on day one or removed after staging over 10 years. In addition, perfumes and eau de cologne will see tariffs of 22% halved after staging, increasing the opportunity for exporters and reducing costs.”

Cosmetics regulations and requirements

• Before being exported to India, certain imported products must meet Indian quality standards and must be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Product labels must include English.
• All imported goods, alongside transport documents, must display standard units of measurement and weight. These measures are necessary for the consignment to be accepted by customs in India.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

• All cosmetics must obtain an import registration certificate before they can be imported, sold or distributed.
• Applications are submitted through the SUGAM online portal, where you send off your COS-1 application form.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) then reviews your application and issues you a COS-2 registration certificate, valid for 5 years.

Animal testing

• India has banned imported cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

Trade barriers

• You can check for current trade barriers in India through the UK government website here. 
• If you encounter issues with trade in India, please report this through the UK government’s portal.

Taxation

• The UK and India have signed a double taxation agreement, which ensures that the same income is not taxed twice.
• The central government and the state governments in India are responsible for taxes in India. The national Goods and Services Tax (GST) unifies the country’s economy into a common market, since GST replaces many indirect taxes.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial and rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. If considering trade in  India, it is necessary to know how to manage your IP as private property rights.

British businesses looking for access to IP advice and support should contact the government’s India attaché, based in the British High Commission in New Delhi.

Travel and immigration

The Mobility and Migration Partnership allows one to seek a 2-year visa to work in India. The Young Professional Scheme does not require a job offer or sponsorship. This route is limited to 3,000 places per year.

The Employment Visa, on the other hand, requires sponsorship by an employer (or financial sponsorship).

Resources

If you need legal advice abroad regarding business, it is possible to find lawyers through the UK government.

Department for Business and Trade guidance.