UK Trade Deals: Strategic Shifts for Fashion, Beauty, and Global Supply Chains

In the space of just two weeks, the UK has concluded new trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, and India.

While these are designed to ease trade frictions and promote growth across many sectors, they also carry particular relevance for the fashion and beauty industries, sectors where global sourcing, consumer demand, and tariff sensitivity intersect more acutely than most.

EU: Food First, but Questions Remain
The UK-EU agreement, signed on 19 May, brings welcome relief for the food and agriculture sectors, notably by removing most routine checks on animal and plant products moving between the two markets. However, the implications for other goods, including textiles and fashion items, remain unclear at this stage.

While the agreement signals a warmer phase in UK-EU relations, the absence of detailed provisions on clothing and footwear means that retailers and manufacturers trading across the Channel are still operating without full certainty. Compliance processes, country-of-origin criteria, and product-specific treatments are key areas to watch as the full details emerge.

US: Trade Wins for Industry
The 8 May UK-US trade announcement offers immediate benefits in select categories, notably cars, steel, and aluminium and promises further detail on other tariffs in the coming weeks. For now, a general 10% tariff remains in place for most UK goods, leaving the fashion and beauty sectors in a holding pattern.

In parallel, a separate de-escalation in US-China tariffs, agreed on 12 May, may also influence fashion supply chains indirectly. The temporary reduction of tariffs on Chinese-made goods could restore some price stability in the short term, but uncertainty remains high.

UK brands eyeing the US market, either for direct sales or wholesale expansion, are rightly cautious, as order volumes and pricing decisions remain clouded by political volatility and shifting tariff schedules.

India: A Pivotal Sourcing and Sales Market
The UK-India trade agreement, finalised on 6 May after three years of negotiations, is a potentially transformative development for the fashion and footwear sectors. With tariff reductions on Indian clothing and footwear exports to the UK, the deal positions India as a more cost-effective sourcing alternative to East Asia, especially relevant for brands facing margin pressures and seeking greater supply chain diversification.

At the same time, India’s growing middle class presents a valuable export opportunity, and particularly for UK fashion and footwear brands. Lower duties on British apparel, luxury goods, and consumer products such as cosmetics and accessories could allow brands to price more competitively and grow their market presence in one of the world’s most rapidly expanding economies.

Still, clarity is required on many critical elements such as rules of origin, customs procedures, and documentation requirements, details that will determine how easily businesses can leverage the deal.

Looking Ahead
Beyond the EU, US, and India, the UK government has signalled its intention to pursue new trade deals with Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. These agreements may offer future growth avenues for British fashion and beauty brands — both in terms of exports and strategic regional hubs for distribution and eCommerce fulfilment.

Navigating What’s Next with Noatum
The UK’s recent trade agreements signal a reset in global trade relations — opening new doors, but also introducing greater complexity. For fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands facing pressure to manage costs, navigate international uncertainty, and meet shifting consumer expectations, the need for strategic logistics support has never been more critical.

With expertise and operational presence across the UK, US, India and the Middle East, Noatum Logistics is ideally positioned to help you respond to these changes. Whether you’re exploring new sourcing options, entering high-growth markets, or rethinking how goods move across borders, our team is here to support your next move.

Working together, we can deliver seamless, end-to-end supply chain solutions that not only reduce risk but unlock commercial opportunity across these newly redefined trade lanes.

Sourcing & Market Entry – Connecting you with customers and suppliers in key regions
Company Set-Up Support – Helping establish a local presence for long-term growth
Integrated Supply Chain Solutions – Freight and logistics tailored to your strategy
Warehousing & Fulfilment – Local infrastructure to meet customer expectations
Customs & Compliance Expertise – Ensuring confidence, continuity, and peace of mind

Talk to us today about how we can help you turn new trade policy into real-world commercial advantage.