India-UK trade: Duty cuts on imported Scotch whisky, gin, chocolates, biscuits, cosmetics

The IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA will come into force on Wednesday paving the way for cheaper British goods in India while granting Indian exporters neartotal dutyfree access to the UK marketUnder the pact tariffs on a wide range of British products including Scotch whisky gin chocolates biscuits and cosmetics will begin declining from July 15 However duty reductions for several items will be phased in over the coming yearsMeanwhile Indian exporters will receive zeroduty access on around 99 per cent of tariff lines covering almost the entire value of the countrys exports to the UKLabourintensive sectors such as textiles leather footwear marine products gems and jewellery sports goods and toys are expected to be among the biggest beneficiariesSimilarly engineering goods auto components and organic chemicals are also set to gain from improved market accessThe rules were issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs CBIC laying down the framework for determining whether goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the pact and specifying compliance requirements for exporters and importersUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier said the CETA would deepen collaboration between the two countries across trade investment and innovation while creating new opportunities for businesses and professionalsHe urged Indian companies to strengthen engagement with their UK counterparts and translate the agreement into sustained business growthEarlier in June the minister stated that the landmark agreement will help Indian farmers fishermen artisans and small businesses prosper globally and accelerate job creation while enabling the common man to access highquality goods at competitive pricesHe noted that by unlocking the premium UK market it creates attractive global opportunities for women entrepreneurs youth startups and MSMEs while empowering the underprivileged without compromising Indias core interestsSigned on July 24 2025 after 14 rounds of negotiations the CETA comprises 30 chapters covering goods services digital trade financial services intellectual property innovation sustainability and government procurementAdditionally India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 90 per cent of tariff lines with 85 per cent becoming fully dutyfree over the next decadeTariffs on British Scotch whisky will be cut from 150 per cent to 75 per cent initially before declining to 40 per cent over 10 years while duties on British automobiles will be reduced gradually under a quotabased mechanismThe pact also provides relief for eligible Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK through the Double Contributions Convention allowing them to avoid paying social security contributions in both countries for a specified periodThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever