India–EU FTA: Advantages for the EU in Importing Indian Goods

Overall Import Advantage for the EU from India-EU FTA

• Preferential access to Indian goods across 97 percent of tariff lines, covering 99.5 percent of India’s export value to the EU.

• Large share of Indian exports enters the EU at zero duty from day one, lowering landed costs and improving price competitiveness for EU buyers.

• Stable, rules-based framework under the India-EU FTA ensures predictable supply chains and reduced trade uncertainty.

  
  

Zero-Duty Access at Entry into Force (Major Categories)

• Textiles & Apparel

  • Zero duty across all tariff lines.

  • Tariffs reduced from up to 12 percent to zero.

  • Covers yarns, fabrics, ready-made garments, home textiles, and apparel.

• Leather & Footwear

  • All tariff lines move from duties of up to 17 percent to zero.

  • Improves EU access to competitively priced footwear, leather goods, and accessories.

• Gems & Jewellery

  • Preferential access across 100 percent of trade value.

  • Earlier duties of up to 4 percent eliminated, reducing costs for EU jewellery markets.

• Marine Products

  • Tariffs of up to 26 percent reduced to zero for most products.

  • Includes shrimp, frozen fish, and value-added seafood.

  • Ensures steady supply for EU food processors and retailers.

• Chemicals

  • 97.5 percent of India’s chemical exports enter the EU at zero duty.

  • Covers inorganic, organic, and agrochemicals with duties earlier up to 12.8 percent.

• Plastics & Rubber Products

  • Preferential access into a large EU import market.

  • Improves sourcing competitiveness for industrial and consumer applications.

• Medical Instruments & Devices

  • Zero duty on 99.1 percent of tariff lines.

  • Tariffs up to 6.7 percent eliminated on lenses, spectacles, medical devices, measuring and testing instruments.

• Mines & Minerals

  • 100 percent of tariff lines at zero duty.

  • Ensures cost-effective access to value-added minerals for EU steel, electronics, automotive, and renewable energy sectors.

• Engineering Goods

  • Preferential access on products earlier facing tariffs up to 22 percent.

  • Supports EU sourcing of competitively priced machinery, components, and industrial goods.

• Home Décor, Wooden Crafts & Furniture

  • Duties reduced by up to 10.5 percent.

  • Enhances EU access to design-led, handcrafted, and sustainable furniture and décor products.

• Reduced or Phased Duties (Selected Products)

  • Certain processed foods, preserved vegetables, bakery products, and poultry items receive tariff reductions or phased elimination.

  • Tariff-rate quotas apply to a limited set of sensitive items, balancing access with market stability.

    
    

Regulatory and Operational Advantages for EU Importers

• Simplified rules of origin aligned with global supply chains reduce compliance burden.

• Self-certification (Statement of Origin) lowers transaction costs and speeds up customs clearance.

• Enhanced cooperation on SPS and TBT standards improves regulatory predictability and safety assurance.

  
  

Strategic Benefit for the EU

• Access to a large, diversified, cost-competitive manufacturing base.

• Strong alignment with EU demand for sustainable, labour-intensive, and MSME-driven products.

• Reduced dependency on limited sourcing geographies, improving supply chain resilience.