Trade Hub
Beauty brands, product and retailers – particularly small to medium enterprises – are significant economic contributors to Britain’s GDP. We have a rich history of exporting British beauty and recognise that recent developments have made overseas trading more challenging.
The British Beauty Council can help you to navigate your way to a potentially new and exciting international customer base. So if you’re baffled by Brexit or keen to explore the burgeoning beauty scene in China, check out the information below and start your journey here.
General
Overseas opportunities and trade missions
Businesses can identify and apply to relevant overseas export opportunities here. If you are interested in global expansion, you can also create a business profile on great.gov.uk to make it easier for prospective international buyers to find them and learn more about their offer.Â
The Department for Business and Trade runs events, here and overseas, designed to connect UK businesses with international trade and business opportunities. Trade mission delegates benefit from exclusive meet-the-buyer events, peer-to-peer networking and support, educational insights from local experts and partners, enhanced press and marketing opportunities and bespoke itineraries.
Businesses can find out and apply to trade missions here.
Transition to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service
Declarants have until Tuesday 4 June 2024 to move to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for registering imports and exports in the UK. After this, HMRC will remove the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system badge permissions. This means you will not be able to submit a new export declaration through CHIEF.Â
You can watch a video on using Customs Declarations Guidance here.
Support
Trade Advisers
The Department for Business and Trade has International Trade Advisers across the English regions (the North, Midlands, and South) who offer one-on-one support and provide regional and sectoral expertise about how to invest, grow and export.
DBT also offers Digital Trade Advisers for businesses looking to trade online or improve their presence within e-ccomerce.Â
The International Trade Advisers do not operate in London; businesses in London can contact their local office for support instead.
More information on these services can be found here.Â
UK Export Finance
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:Â www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk.
UK Export Academy
The UK Export Academy (UKEA) provides a free training programme for businesses at the beginning of their journey, or for those interested in starting a business. This video explains the UKEA and the extensive resources offered.  Â
The UK Export Academy offers introductory sessions called ‘the Essentials’ and ‘Welcome Sessions’ that strategically cover key points for businesses, as well as detailed masterclass webinars.Â
Sign up for the UK Export Academy here.Â
British Library: Business and IP Centre
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.Â
- One-to-one expert advice, talks and masterclasses that cover useful information for beginning a business.Â
- The Get Ready for Business Growth scale up programme, funded by the Arts Council. Open for applications from creative businesses with £80k+ turnover.Â
- A national network of BIPCs across the UK that can help with business support and guidance. Find your local BIPC here.Â
- The two-day ‘Kick Start Your Business’ programme, open to all UK business owners across London. The free programme is in partnership with J.P Morgan, and designed to help aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs.Â
- Access to the British Library’s BIPC reading room, where you can find collections of business and intellectual property information, as well as the latest industry reports and market insights for free.Â
Goods
Exporting goods
How to move goods from the UK: Export goods from the UK: step by step.
The Government has launched a new Export Support Service and user-friendly interactive export tools to help UK businesses get answers to practical questions about exporting globally.
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
You must make customs declarations 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 a list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can help with submitting customs declarations.
- The British International Freight Association (BIFA) also has a search function to help find the appropriate customs agent.
- Find a list of customs training providers which will help you submit customs declarations.
- Find a list of software developers to get help with Customs Declaration Service and Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) declarations.
- Find out more about the Chamber Customs service, a customs brokerage service for traders. This offering includes making customs declarations for companies, providing specialist customs advisory services and training courses.
- If you import goods regularly, you can apply for a duty deferment account to delay paying most customs or tax charges.
Follow this useful step-by-step guide on how to import: Import goods into the UK: step by step guide on GOV.UK
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.
Preparing to import goods
- All cosmetic products available to consumers must have a ‘Responsible Person’ who makes sure safety measures are followed and legal obligations are met.
- Decide how you will account for import VAT and pay customs duty.
- Register for a free EORI number (GB Economic Operator Registration and Identification number). You may need a separate one if you move goods to or from Northern Ireland.
- Obtain the necessary licenses for the imported goods.
- Ensure the goods are correctly labelled/ marked.
- At the port, make the necessary declarations. If you are handling customs declarations yourself, you will need to arrange inspections for animal/plant-based products.
VAT
- Claim a VAT refund.
- Claim a refund if you think you paid the wrong amount of duty or have rejected the imported goods.
Resources
HMRC Videos
Useful content on the HMRC YouTube channel, including these videos:
- What is customs?
- Getting someone to deal with customs for you – how freight forwarders can help
- How can a customs intermediary help me?
- What do you need to know to bring goods into the UK?
- What do you need to know to send goods out of the UK?
- What are controlled goods?
- What are commodity codes?
Helplines
Borders (Importing and Exporting)
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.
UK businesses can contact the Export Support Service by using the new online service or by phoning the helpline to speak to their dedicated export support team.
- 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
Funding opportunities
Access the Department for International Trade’s Internationalisation Fund for eligible businesses in England. The fund can be used to support areas such as market research, intellectual property advice, translation services and other international commercial service.
UK Export Finance is the UK’s export credit agency where businesses can get finance and insurance from the UK government. In the last five years they have provided £14 billion of support for exports and international trade.
Scottish Enterprise fund a free international market research service to help businesses in Scotland get vital insight on global market trends, customer behaviour and competitor activity.
EU
Importing Goods
Preparing to import goods
- Ensure EU suppliers can establish the origins of goods (Rules of Origin) and make an exporter’s declaration so your goods can enter the UK tariff-free.
Importing Goods
- Find out more about how to meet customs requirements fast and efficiently now that the UK has left the EU through customs declaration training offered through your local Chamber of Commerce.
- Find out more about customs declaration completion requirements when using the CHIEF and Customs Declaration Service (CDS) trade tariffs to import and export goods to and from Great Britain after the transition period.
- Goods imported into the EU must adhere to  EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), there is more information about this in the ‘Exporting Goods’ section, and here.Â
Trading with Northern Ireland
The Windsor Framework is an arrangement between the UK and the EU which is designed to remove any sense of border in the Irish sea – fundamentally overturning aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
In May 2023, the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulation was amended to include reference to the new trade agreement.
The Prime Minister’s Office breaks down the Windsor Framework into three points. The legislation:
- Fundamentally rewrites the Treaty with a new ‘Stormont Brake’ which means the UK can veto new EU goods laws if they are not supported by both communities in Northern Ireland
- Creates a new green lane which removes any sense of a border in the Irish Sea
- Means Northern Ireland can benefit from the same VAT, food and drink and medicines as the rest of the UK
You can find out more about the Windsor Frame work here.Â
Brexit
From 1 January 2022 the rules changed for any businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Europe. These rules apply to all European trade, whether you buy or sell goods once a year or every day, and no matter what type, volume or value:
Read the UK Transition Trader Checklist
There were also changes to international trademark registrations from 1 January 2022 to be aware of:
Read the Changes to international trade mark registrations
The best place for businesses to get support and information post-Brexit
The devolved administrations have also published guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
We also recommend the Brexit Checker tool, which gives businesses personalised results about the actions they need to take.
The Border Operating Model is a useful guide to how the border with the EU works.
Sign up to receive the latest Government news on Brexit.
It’s vital for businesses to ensure they are up to date with changing rules and regulations surrounding their business operations. Scottish Enterprise produces a comprehensive list of key dates for companies to note in 2022.
Exporting Goods
Exporting goods
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.
Additional national registration for exporting to Spain
For cosmetics, Spain requires an additional national registration after the European notification has been completed. This is because cosmetics imports in Spain are subject to pharmaceutical inspection and must comply with the specific legislation.
Below are the extra requirements:Â
- Company must have a Responsible Declaration (replaces the import license). In order to import cosmetics, perfumes and personal care products to Spain, it is necessary to submit to AEMPS -Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency- a request for a Responsible Declaration in which the company’s data is reflected, as well as the warehouses used for the import and the technician who is responsible for the whole process. The Responsible Declaration replaces (in the case of cosmetics, perfumes and personal care products) the health import licence.
- Once the Responsible Declaration has been submitted, and before importing, it is necessary to register the product in the European Notification Portal –CPNP-.
- The exporter must also provide before shipment: a COAS (certificate of analysis) and a GMP (certificate of good manufacturing practices).
Otherwise, the EU cosmetic regulations will all continue to apply.
EU Deforestation Directive
As of 29 June 2023, the EU Timber Regulation calls for businesses to conduct due diligence and provide evidence that ‘forest risk’ commodities imported into, exported from, and made available on, the EU market are legal and deforestation-free.  The legislation expands on the EU Timber Regulation and increases the scope of regulation to seven commodities: wood, soy, cocoa, coffee, cattle derived products (including leather), rubber and palm oil, and listed derived products. Â
Brands must demonstrate no deforestation or forest degradation from a cut-off date of 31 December 2020; and provision of geolocation data for where the commodity was produced to be included in the due diligence statement.Â
Find out more here.Â
Services
Businesses with staff working between the UK and EU
See the latest advice for travelling for work, including this useful one-pager.
If you travel to the EU for work purposes, you may need a visa or work permit. Learn about extra business travel requirements.
Businesses that deliver services between the UK and EU
Ensure your staff are able to continue to practise and provide services to clients in the UK by ensuring their professional qualification(s) are recognised by their professional body in the UK:
Get your EU professional qualification recognised in the UK
Selling services to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
Businesses that hire staff from the EU
Points-based immigration system
Free movement has ended and the UK works with a new points-based immigration system. If you want to hire anyone from outside the UK, you must be a Home Office licenced sponsor. This includes recruiting people from the EU.
Anyone coming to the UK to work will need a job offer from a licenced sponsor in advance, and will need to meet certain skills and salary criteria. Find out more about the UK Government’s points-based immigration system here.
ETA Scheme
The Home Office is also introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation for non-visa nationals (NVN) for EU visitors who stay for 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study, come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession, or transit through the UK. This will be rolled out throughout 2024.
Once people have signed up for the scheme, their ETA will last for 2 years and can use it to make multiple visits to the UK.
ETAs will be mandatory for people who do not currently require a visa or hold any UK immigration status who want to enter the UK for visits of up to six months. This will eventually include all non-visa nationalities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the EU.
Continue living and working in the EU
Living and working in the EU, EEA EFTA, Switzerland and Ireland depends on the rules in that country.
You may need to take action such as:
- register or apply for residency
- check that you are covered for healthcare
- exchange your UK driving licence for a licence issued by the EU country where you live.
The Government has prepared living in country guides for UK nationals living abroad, including residency, health and benefits, and specific advice for people following the UK’s departure from the EU.
Travel declarations
There have been challenges for professionals within the hair and beauty sector who need to travel for the purposes of work and the products and kit that they must declare in order to do so.
We highlighted these issues to the Department for Business and Department for International Trade in an attempt to find solutions and will publish their advice shortly.
Resources
EU-based businesses trading in the UK
Transferring data between the UK and EU
If you receive personal data from the EU for business use, you should check the current guidance on using personal data in your business or organisation. Find out more at Using personal data in your business or other organisation
China
Goods
Animal testing
Imported general cosmetics* are no longer required to undergo mandatory pre-market animal testing in China for both standard trade and cross-border e-commerce so long as these steps are followed.
The manufacturer must obtain a Good Manufacturing Practice standards (GMPC) certificate from the relevant government department of their country of origin. In the UK, this is the Import Licensing Branch (ILB) in the Department for International Trade.
This flowchart outlines the application process, together with some useful FAQs and a pre-recorded webinar.
If you have problems with the authorities not accepting your GMPC, download a copy of the OPSS letter to NMPA.
*General cosmetics are classed as anything that does not include whitening and/or freckle-removing, sun-screening, anti-hair loss, or any product claiming new efficacies.
ECommerce opportunities
China’s e-commerce market has grown significantly. The rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce in the Chinese market is creating opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to participate.
According to Zmuni, the nine biggest e-commerce platforms in China are: Tmall, JD, Pingduoduo, Xiaohongshu, Taobao, Kaola, VIP, Douyu, and Mogu Jie.
Compliance: Packaging and ingredients
Labelling requirements for products exporting to China:
General cosmetics
- Product’s Chinese name
- Name and address of the filing person entity
- Name and address of the responsible person entity in China
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- Product implementation standard number
- Ingredients
- Net content
- Use period/expiry date
- Usage instructions
- Safety warnings
- Other content as required by relevant laws, administrative regulations, and national standards
Special cosmetics
- Product’s Chinese name
- Special cosmetics registration certificate number
- Name and address of the registrant person entity
- Name and address of the responsible person entity in China
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- Product implementation standard number
- Ingredients
- Net content
- Use period/expiry date
- Usage instructions
- Safety warnings
- Other content as required by relevant laws, administrative regulations, and national standards
Trade barriers
Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting to China.
Services
Businesses with staff working between the UK and China
If you travel to China for work purposes, you may need a visa or work permit. Read the entry requirements.
Businesses that hire staff from China
Free movement has ended and the UK is introducing a new points-based immigration system.
If you want to hire anyone from outside the UK, you must be a Home Office licenced sponsor. This includes recruiting people from China.
Anyone coming to the UK to work will need a job offer from a licenced sponsor in advance, and will need to meet certain skills and salary criteria.
Find out more: The UK’s points-based immigration system: an introduction for employers (accessible version)
Continue living and working in China
Living and working abroad depends on the rules in that country. You may need to:
â–ª register or apply for residency;
â–ª check that you are covered for healthcare;
â–ª exchange your UK driving licence for a licence issued by the country where you will live.
Find out more: Living in China guidance
Resources
China-based businesses trading in the UK
- An investment atlas for overseas business looking to trade in the UK: Invest in the UK
- A useful factsheet that helps Chinese companies establish and manage an international IP portfolio
- A tool that provides businesses exporting goods into the UK with detailed and up-to-date information such as tariffs, taxes and rules
Transferring data between the UK and China
Data security laws in China have changed in recent years, impacting how data can be collected, used, stored and protected. Review these changes to ensure you are remaining compliant.
Trade advisors
The Department for International Trade (DIT) offers a personalised service with information and guidance on how to access the China beauty market.
Email Doris Zhou from the DIT China Team (Shanghai).
Your local international trade adviser can also offer free export-related advice to help your business trade internationally. Get in touch with your local international trade adviser.
Webinars
- Seven targeted sessions from the Department for International Trade on the regulations, landscape and ecommerce of China’s cosmetics marketÂ
- An SME’s guide to exporting to China from the Department for International Trade
- Doing Business in China from the Department for International Trade covering beauty trends in China and regulations
- Useful advice for brands looking to trade in China from the British Beauty Council and Azoya Group
Publications and articles
- There is lots of useful insight on trading and trends in China via the regular Azoya Group blog.
- Zmuni, the Chinese Cosmetic Regulation Compliance Centre, also produce a useful blog.
USA
Goods
Exporting goods
Before you can begin trading in the US, you will need to familiarise yourself with the duties, rules, restrictions and documents you need for your products. See current duties and customs procedures for the USA.
Trade barriers
Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting to the US.
You can also report any trade barriers that are affecting your business to the Department for International Trade.
Standards and technical regulations
You must check your goods meets all legal requirements in the US and you have all the required licences before trading in the market.
In December 2022, President Biden passed the Modernisation of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).
The FDA’s website is a good place to start when it comes to anticipating any new changes. And, BeautyMatter offers a series of useful resources and articles on this topic, including a helpful webinar.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology also has more information on legal standards.
Compliance: Packaging and ingredients
Keeping up with different market requirements can be a regulatory headache when selling cosmetic products worldwide.
Companies often struggle with labelling, which is an important part of a cosmetic product’s packaging, both from a regulatory and marketing standpoint.
The ingredient list is one of the most informative parts of the label. It describes the product’s composition, so it is important to write it correctly.
Cosmetics sold in the US must comply with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). Both acts should be considered when creating the ingredient list.
To have a compliant ingredient list, you must ensure your product formula is compliant. This means thoroughly check that your formula does not include any prohibited ingredients, and if it includes a restricted ingredient, it complies with the restrictions.
Labelling
There are specific labelling requirements for food, drugs, cosmetics and medical equipment in the US which are enforced by the FDA.
You may also want to check local labelling regulations with the relevant state business bureau.
Export licensing and restrictions
You’ll need a license to export certain goods and services to the US because the import of some items is restricted or prohibited.
Check the US Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP) list of prohibited and restricted items.
MOCRA
Important details to note:
- When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) define ‘Responsible Person’, it is different from EU regulations. A US ‘Responsible Person’ does not need to be based in the US, they are the organisation responsible for reporting serious adverse events. The ‘Responsible Person’ is the brand. Often brands have misconceptions about this.
- For product listing, even if manufactured outside of the US, the facility still needs to be registered with the FDA.
- Brands must have a US agent who can be a conduit of information for the FDA, and this person must have a US number and address.Â
- Small businesses are exempt from some policies, but not all. They still must complete adverse event tracking, safety substantiations and labelling requirements.Â
UpdatesÂ
There is a delay in some changes related to MoCRA coming into effect, however others will be introduced at the end of December 2023.Â
MoCRA requirements relate to :
- Product listing and cosmetics facility registration (pushed to July 2024)Â
- Adverse event tracking
- Safety substantiationÂ
- Labelling regulations
More guidance can be found:Â
Services
Working and living in the USA
You can visit the United States for business for up to 90 days through the US Visa Waiver Program. This is usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.Â
If you plan to work in the US, you’ll need a non-immigrant visa. The US Embassy can help with specific visa information.
Intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial and rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. You should consider getting IP protection abroad if you want to trade overseas or sell to overseas customers via the internet.
The Intellectual Property Office provides practical information to help you protect, manage and enforce your IP abroad. Further support for British businesses can be found through a network of IP attachés, based in key UK export markets.
Resources
Legal guidance
If you need legal advice abroad regarding business, it is possible to find lawyers through the UK government.
Trade advisors
Get in touch with a local Department for International Trade advisor:Â Find your local trade office.
Useful links
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/trade-update-uk-gulf-cooperation-council-fta–2
https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/united-arab-emirates/
https://theredtree.co.uk/articles/an-introduction-to-regulation-in-the-middle-east/
https://www.check-international-trade-barriers.service.gov.uk/active/
https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements
Middle East
Goods
Exporting goods
Countries in the GCC (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait) may follow slightly different export and import processes, so it’s important to check the specific country regulations.Â
Preparing to export goods
Countries within the Middle East and GCC differ regarding what is necessary for exporting goods.Â
For the UAE, it is necessary to pay 5% VAT and import duties, as well as provide customs documents such as invoices, a certificate of origin, and bills of lading or airway bill.Â
Other GCC countries vary, but it is always necessary to gain pre-market approval and product registration prior to any cosmetics being imported, distributed or sold.Â
Further requirements may involve:Â
- Proof of GMP compliant manufacturing processes
- Full ingredient listsÂ
- Product safety data
- Certificates of Free Sale for each country.Â
More information on differing policies in the GCC can be found here.
Trade barriers
Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when trading with countries within the Middle East/GCC. Live updates can be found on the UK government website.Â
Regulation
Additional regulations can occur. In GCC countries these may include:Â
- Additional testing on products for heavy metalsÂ
- Samples of products to be sent for laboratory testingÂ
- Halaal certification is not required for product registrations but may be helpful given a significant Muslim population in the countriesÂ
- Different countries within the GCC also ban and restrict various goods. More information here.
Labelling and packaging
The Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) provides a framework for packaging and labelling products.Â
The labels must also be translated into Arabic, or local language, which can often be done through a local partner.
Services
Living and working in the Middle East
UAE
Short-term, it is possible to apply for a 3-month probationary work permit whilst on a visit visa. Working without a permit is at the risk of being fined, jailed or deported.Â
Long-term residence visas have additional requirements, such as a blood test.Â
If leaving the UAE permanently, it is important to cancel your work visa. It is possible to seek advice from local lawyers when leaving to ensure everything is correct.Â
Saudi Arabia
It is possible to obtain an Electronic Visa Waiver for business for up to six months. Beyond this, it is necessary to go through the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.
British residents in Saudi Arabia also require a valid exit or re-entry permit from the Saudi Ministry of Interior to leave the country.
Other GCC countriesÂ
The UK Government website can provide useful information on other countries and their requirements.
Intellectual property
IP legislation is relatively new in some GCC countries. Some, like the UAE, follow international IP regulations, however others have individual programmes. For example, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait are not in the Madrid Protocol, meaning it is necessary to go through their national applications.Â
Tailored Government advice to UK stakeholders regarding intellectual property in the GCC can be found here.Â
Resources
Legal guidance
If you need legal advice abroad regarding business, it is possible to find lawyers through the UK government.
Trade advisors
Get in touch with a local Department for International Trade advisor:Â Find your local trade office.
Useful links
Exporting guide to United Arab Emirates – Great.gov.uk
6 Things to Know About Intellectual Property Protection in the Middle East – Morgan Lewis
India
Goods
Exporting goods
Tax
The UK and India have signed a double taxation agreement, which ensures that the same income is not taxed twice.Â
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.
Payment
Open account transactions are not allowed in India. Terms of payment must be secured through a letter of credit or documentary collection through your bank. Otherwise, it is possible to do payment or partial payment in advance.Â
It is advised that your contract should always clearly state the terms and outline for delivery and payment of goods and services. Indian law does not regulate late payments, and going through the courts for settlement action can be expensive and time consuming.Â
Any concerns or enquiries about being paid for your export can be followed up with UK Export Finance.Â
Standards and Regulations
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 can be in either English or Hindi. 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.Â
Trade barriers
Export opportunities
Current recognised sectors of opportunity for exporting in India are Technology, Fintech, and Automotive. Artificial Intelligence is also considered to be particularly flourishing as a market in India, predicted to be worth $17 billion by 2027.Â
Services
Living and working in India
Young British professionals aged 18-30 can obtain a two-year visa to work in India, as part of the UK government’s Migration and Mobility Partnership with India.
You will need an Employment Visa (E) and work permit to work in India. You can apply for these independently if you are a qualified professional, but your future employer will typically arrange the appropriate documentation on your behalf. If you apply yourself, you will need a letter from your employer and/or financial sponsor.
To find out more about what is needed, visit the High Commission of India’s website.
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.Â
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.
Resources
Legal guidance
If you need legal advice abroad regarding business, it is possible to find lawyers through the UK government.
Trade advisors
If you need guidance on how to navigate trade in India, get in touch with one of the Department of Business and Trade’s regional ‘Trade Advisors.’
Webinars
The Institute of Export and International Trade hosted a webinar on Making the most of UK India trade opportunities. Â The recorded webinar covers:Â
- Possible benefits a UK-India trade deal could secure for businesses
- How rules of origin and preferential tariffs usually work in free trade agreements
- General challenges for trade between the UK and India
- Skills and expertise needed to trade successfully between the UK and India
Useful links
Gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade-india
UK India Business Council – https://www.ukibc.com/india-guide/how-india/exporting-to-india/