Implementation of “India- United Kingdom’s Free Trade Agreement” from 15 July 2026

Ludhiana, July 15, 2026: India’s landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom came into effect from 15th July 2026, with this a new chapter in bilateral economic relation between India & UK has started. The trade agreement gives nearly 99 per cent of Indian exports preferential access to the UK market.  India- UK bilateral trade has already reached USD 56 billion with the implementation of this FTA, the trade between both the countries is likely to go past multiple folds in the times to come. To celebrate this historical moment “Flag Off Ceremonies” were organized various locations across the country.
The office of Additional Directorate General of Foreign Trade (Regional Authority) Ludhiana in association with Customs Commissionerate, Ludhiana & FIEO Punjab Chapter organized “India-UK CETA Flag Off Ceremony” at GRFL, ICD Sahnewal, Ludhiana.   On this occasion, the first export consignment under the “India–UK CETA” was formally flagged off from ICD Ludhiana in presence of Utpal Kumar Acharya, Joint DGFT (RA) Ludhiana; Varinder Kaur, Commissioner of Customs, Ludhiana; Suman Yadav, IRS, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Ludhiana; Ayush Mittal, Joint Commissioner of Customs, Ludhiana; Parveen Pant, Assistant Terminal Head, Gateway Distriparks, ICD Sahnewal, Ludhiana, Vinay Sharma, FIEO Punjab and other senior Customs officials.
While sharing his views Utpal Kumar Acharya, Jt DGFT(RA) Ludhiana said that, “The India- UK Trade Agreement is the one of its kind of agreement to granting a “0%” duty access to Indian exporters on around 995 products lines exported to UK. Sectors like textiles, apparel, gems & jewelry, agriculture, marine products and pharmaceuticals will be benefitted, along with enhanced market access for IT and service professionals in the UK. In return, UK exporters will also gain from reduced Indian tariffs on goods such as Whisky, automobiles, machinery, and consumer products.  This will also spur large-scale employment generation, empowering artisans, women-led enterprises, and MSMEs. The agreement includes a wide-ranging package covering Information Technology /IT enabled services, financial and professional services, business consulting, education, telecom, architecture, and engineering that will unlock high-value opportunities”.
He also added that, “The projected trade growth between both nations, is expected to double by 2030, as this agreement will provide India with a competitive edge over countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam and other competitors in the UK market”.
Speaking on this occasion Varinder Kaur, Commissioner of Customs, Customs Commissionerate, Ludhiana said that, “The Government of India is actively undertaking Policy Reforms to increase the percentage share of Indian products in Global Supply Chain, making it a key player and as a part of it, India & UK Trade Agreements have been implemented from 15th July 2026 onwards, that too after three to five years of negotiations. This marks a major achievement in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. This agreement opens great opportunities across various key sectors, not only tariffs are reduced, this will also ease or lower the regulatory barriers for services and investments. Ludhiana Customs Commissionerate has always been proactive in its approach in promoting ease of trade operations for our regional exporters, all trade related issues are addressed on top priority by all officers working under Ludhiana Customs and will continue to do the same”.
Utpal Kumar Acharya, JT DGFT (RA) Ludhiana also flagged off the first ever consignment of ‘Wool & Worsted Yarn’ for M/s Ganga Acrowools Limited, Ludhiana under the new “India- UK FTA”. The ceremony was organized at their Doraha based plant, which was also attended by senior level officials from the company.
The O/o DGFT(RA) Ludhiana organized similar Flag Off Ceremonies at Amritsar, at district Solan in Himachal Pradesh & at District Jammu in J&K with an objective to sensitize exporters from the Region to explore numerous opportunities via India- UK Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreements (CEPA).