In a press release issued on 24 March 2026, the FEBEA welcomed the free trade agreement that has just been concluded between the European Union and Australia. For the French Federation of Beauty Companies, this marks a major operational step forward for European businesses.
As the FEBEA points out, French cosmetics exports fell in 2025 due to US tariffs and stagnation in the Chinese market.
At the start of 2026, the war in Iran poses a risk to exports to the Middle East, which had been an area of diversification for French exports (€1.5 billion in 2025, up 5.6%).
For French cosmetics manufacturers, Australia is already a strategic market, accounting for nearly €250 million in exports.
For FEBEA, this agreement should reinforce this momentum “by creating a clearer, more competitive and more secure framework for trade”:
• on the one hand, it provides for the complete removal of customs duties on European exports of cosmetic products, which will fall from an average of 5% to 0%;
• on the other hand, the announcement of a technical annex specifically dedicated to cosmetics sends a strong and encouraging signal to the sector.
“French manufacturers’ expectations include the simplification of customs procedures and enhanced regulatory cooperation, whilst ensuring that high standards of consumer protection are maintained. In practical terms, this paves the way for the export of innovative products, such as sunscreens, to Australia, illustrating the potential for growth and innovation made possible by …
