The UK-India Free Trade Agreement Explained

The UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into force on 15 July 2026. It is designed to expand bilateral trade by improving market access, reducing tariffs and creating clearer rules for businesses trading between the UK and India.
 

Overview
 

Signed on 24 July 2025, CETA is a landmark free trade agreement intended to deepen economic ties between the UK and India. The agreement creates a broader framework for trade in goods and long-term economic collaboration.

Key features of the agreement include:

· Tariff-free access for a wide range of Indian exports to the UK.

· Reduced tariffs on selected UK goods entering India.

· Opportunities to increase bilateral trade, support economic growth and create employment in both countries.

Why Rules of Origin Matter

To benefit from preferential rates of duty under CETA, goods must meet the agreement’s Rules of Origin. These rules determine whether a product qualifies as originating in the UK or India and is therefore eligible for reduced or zero-duty treatment.

This course explains what companies need to do to assess eligibility, prepare the right documentation and make practical use of preferential duty rates. By applying the rules correctly, businesses can improve competitiveness and develop trade with the region more confidently.
 

Course Content
 

· An overview of the UK–India Trade Agreement and its commercial impact.

· How to register to complete origin declarations.

· Import valuation and landed cost analysis for goods entering India.

· How to interpret the Rules of Origin.

· How to assess whether your goods meet the origin requirements.

· How to identify preferential rates of import duty into India.

· How to import goods into the UK under the agreement.

· How the UK–India Trade Agreement interacts with the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
 

Who Should Attend
 

This course is designed for UK companies that currently trade with India or are considering India as a potential new market. It is suitable for both new and experienced staff working in areas such as imports, exports, order processing, sales development, accounts and shipping.

Delegates will receive a copy of the presentation and a web-links document referencing up-to-date sources of information to support the course content.