DGFT notifies tariff-rate-quota for cheaper UK car imports under India-UK CETA
India has notified the procedure allowing concessional-duty imports of UK passenger cars under CETA (effective July 15), slashing duties from 110% to 10% over phased years. The quota permits 20,000 units in year one, rising to 37,000 by year five, totalling 3.78 lakh cars over 15 years across £40,000-£80,000 price bands.
What happened
DGFT · India notifies tariff-rate-quota procedure under India-UK CETA (effective July 15) allowing concessional-duty imports of UK passenger cars, cutting
Key facts
- 110% to 10% duty reduction
- 3.78 lakh cars over 15 years
- 20,000 units first year
- 37,000 units fifth year
- 137,500 cleaner vehicles cumulative
- £40,000-£80,000 price bands
Why this matters
Secure UK-brand distribution rights and quota allocations now to capture concessional-duty positioning before the phased volume ramp intensifies competition.
What to watch
- TRQ allocation notifications and first-quota uptake data post July 15
- Revised MRP announcements from UK-origin luxury brands
- Domestic OEM or SIAM statements on reciprocal safeguards
- EU/other FTA negotiators demanding parity on auto tariffs
- Rules-of-origin enforcement to block non-UK transshipment
- Luxury OEMs (JLR, BMW-Mini, Bentley) announce revised India price lists and import allocations against the TRQ
- Domestic manufacturers (Tata, Mahindra) seek EV incentive and local-content protections
- Dealers reposition inventory and marketing toward newly affordable UK models
- Customs/DGFT issue rules-of-origin and TRQ allocation mechanics to importers