DGFT Invites Applications for Import Quotas Under India-UK Trade Pact for 2027

The Commerce Ministry has invited applications from importers seeking quotas for duty concessions under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement for the calendar year 2027. The application window is open from November 6 to November 21, 2026, covering specified products such as passenger cars and transport vehicles.

The Commerce Ministry on Friday sought applications from importers seeking quotas to avail duty concessions under the India-UK trade pact for 2027 for specified products such as passenger cars.

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect on July 15, 2026.

According to a public notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), fresh applications for the allocation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under the agreement for the calendar year 2027 are invited for specified products during the period from November 6, 2026, to November 21, 2026.

The applications are for a quota of 24,500 cars with different engine capacities and 2,750 transport vehicles.

Previously, in September, the DGFT approved applications from seven companies to import 642 cars for the remainder of 2026 from Britain under the tariff rate quota provisions of the India-UK free trade agreement. In July, the Directorate had invited applications for the allocation of 2026 import quotas for fully-built passenger cars and goods vehicles under the duty concession provisions of the agreement.

Under CETA, New Delhi has allowed the import of a total of 3.78 lakh units of conventional-engine passenger cars, including those in the mass segment, from the UK at a concessional customs duty during the first 15 years of the implementation of the trade pact between the two countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, tariffs on automotive imports will fall from about 110 per cent to 10 per cent, with quotas on both sides. Eligibility to apply for the Tariff Rate Quota is restricted to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), dealers, and channel partners duly authorised by the OEMs of vehicles originating in the UK.

"The phased implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement presents a structured opportunity for authorised OEMs and channel partners in the automotive sector. With import tariffs slated to drop significantly from 110 percent to 10 percent alongside clearly defined quotas, businesses must proactively manage the TRQ application timelines to optimize supply chain planning and market entry strategies under the trade pact." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes