The French beauty industry is calling for the removal of 15% tariffs on exports to the US, warning that the new duties are causing a sharp decline in sales and significant financial losses. For overseas buyers and distributors, this signals potential price adjustments and supply chain shifts in the European cosmetics market.
Tariff escalation and market impact
Concluded between the European Union and the United States, the Turnberry Agreement has been approved by the European Parliament, clearing the way for 15% tariffs on European cosmetics at the US border. Until 2024, the sector benefited from a full exemption from customs duties on entry into the United States. The situation deteriorated in summer 2025 amid the trade war initiated by Donald Trump, with an initial 15% levy, followed by a temporary easing to 10% in February 2026.
Industry alarm and call for action
In response to this new tariff ceiling, the French Federation of Beauty Companies (FEBEA) is sounding the alarm and urging French and European authorities to negotiate a return to the historic 0% rate. "FEBEA understands the importance of placing the trade relationship between the European Union and the United States within a stable contractual framework," says Emmanuel Guichard, FEBEA's executive director. "But that stability cannot translate into a lasting rise in tariffs for a sector as exposed as French cosmetics."
Export decline and financial losses
Although the United States remains the leading export market for French cosmetics, with sales reaching 2.35 billion euros in 2025, the decline is estimated at 19% year on year, according to FEBEA. The recessionary trend was confirmed in the first quarter of 2026, with a further sector-wide fall of nearly 20% compared with the first quarter of the previous year. Cumulative financial losses are now estimated at nearly 800 million euros in lost exports, including a shortfall of 541 million euros for 2025 and an estimated 250 million euros in losses for the first half of 2026 alone.
What buyers should watch
For importers and distributors sourcing French cosmetics, the tariff situation may lead to higher landed costs or pricing adjustments from European suppliers. The US market slowdown could also prompt French manufacturers to redirect exports to other regions, potentially affecting availability and pricing in non-US markets. Buyers should monitor FEBEA's negotiations and consider diversifying sourcing strategies to mitigate tariff-related risks.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 16, 2026