The United Kingdom & the European Union
From Chapter 8: The United Kingdom & the European Union
Britain and the European Union are the best-paying buyers an Indian exporter will meet, and among the slowest to say yes. Both write contracts down and keep them, but they differ in manner and, since 2020, in rules. Two trade agreements are now moving at different speeds, one already in force and one still waiting. That timing favours those who start now: a supplier who is cleared and listed before the new tariffs apply is hard to displace later. Standards, carbon rules and retail supplier programmes are the real entrance fee. This hub shows the agreement position and the main gateway for the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France.
Key facts
- UK agreement
- CETA signed 24 Jul 2025; in force 15 Jul 2026; 99% of lines duty-free
- EU agreement
- FTA concluded 27 Jan 2026; expected in effect early 2027 (trade at MFN until then)
- EU carbon rules
- CBAM definitive regime from 1 Jan 2026; India received no exemption
- Payment
- open account 30-60 days the working norm; excellent payment discipline
- Netherlands exports
- $22.76B FY25 (the Rotterdam effect: EU gateway, not Dutch demand)
As of October 2026
Dashboard
Useful links
- EU Access2Markets (external link)
EU tariffs & rules
- EU CBAM (external link)
carbon border mechanism
- UK gov trade (external link)
tariffs, CETA texts, DCTS