The Australian beauty brands making it big in India: Go Aussie

While Asia Pacific’s recent influence on the global beauty industry is often attributed to South Korea (K-beauty) or Japan (J-beauty), Australia is quickly becoming a rising star thanks to its indigenous plant-based ingredients. To avoid simply becoming a replacement for more common ingredients, showcasing their potency in more involved routines could elevate Australian beauty’s status to be a leader in skincare.

In India, Australian beauty brands are seeing increased interest among consumers. While growth has been comparatively slow over recent years, ‘A-beauty’ seems to be catching up with K-beauty, with an increasing number of Australian brands being sold online.

Let’s check out some of the Australian brands available online

Tariffs, regulations and customs

All cosmetics products imported to India will have to be registered with the office of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in the office of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). The DCGI’s office administers the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, which governs the manufacture, sale, import, export and clinical research of drugs and cosmetics in India.

The fee for registration is US$ 2000 per brand of cosmetics applied for, which may include any number of variants, colour, shades or pack sizes. The duration of a registration certificate is for a period of three years from the date of its issue unless it is suspended or cancelled sooner for any reason.

India has imposed a ban on the animal testing of cosmetics, and the same provisions are also relevant for all cosmetics products imported into India.

Trends and opportunities

• A significant proportion of India’s population are young, part of the rapidly growing middle class, and fashion savvy. Cosmetics are no longer a niche segment;
• The synergy between health and beauty is partly driving a trend towards organic products in personal care: organics accounts for close to one-third of the personal care category;
• Male grooming is amongst the fastest growing categories with an explosion in product range targeted towards men in the middle and upper income groups
• Evolution of Omni-channel retail in India.
• Social media a driving sales tool for beauty brands in India.

Austrade’s view of the market is that with the rise in disposable income and growing aspirations to look good, consumer demand for more brands and categories is at an all-time high. Consumers are also looking for innovative new cosmetics brands that demonstrates a strong concept and unique ingredients and consumers are influenced by the whole product (functionality, packaging, and appeal).

The image of Australia’s ‘clean and green’ production and supply environment will help in the promotion of Australian beauty and wellness product exports to India.

We at Austrade are keen to work with you and get you to this exciting and rewarding market.

For more info, please reach out to me at [email protected]