DGFT opens first-round applications for 9,316-unit UK car import quota under India-UK CETA
Under the India-UK trade pact, DGFT has invited OEMs and authorised dealers to apply for a 2026 quota of 9,316 cars at reduced customs duty, split across engine-capacity slabs (2,329/4,658/1,164 units) with duty cuts ranging from 30% to 110% versus standard rates.
What happened
DGFT invites applications for first-round car import quotas under India-UK CETA, allowing 9,316 units in 2026 at reduced customs duties for OEMs and authorised
Key facts
- 20,000 cars
- 9,316 units
- 2,329 units
- 4,658 units
- 1,164 units
- 50%
- 30%
- 37%
- 66%
- 110%
- 44%
Why this matters
This quota structure offers a template for negotiating engine-slab-based duty concessions in future trade pacts, worth monitoring for cross-border M&A or distribution partnerships tied to preferential import access.
What to watch
- Full subscription vs under-subscription of quota by application deadline
- DGFT amendment or clarification circular on quota mechanics
- Announced ex-showroom price cuts for JLR or other UK-brand models
- EU or Japan trade negotiators referencing this quota structure
- Dispute or litigation from dealers over allocation methodology
- Track which OEMs/dealers file applications and for which engine-capacity slab within the application window
- Monitor JLR, Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce India distributor statements on quota utilization plans
- Watch for DGFT clarifications on slab-specific eligibility, carry-forward rules, and unused-quota reallocation
- Check domestic luxury dealer (BMW, Mercedes, Audi India) commentary on competitive impact
- Assess pricing announcements for UK-imported models to gauge actual duty pass-through to consumers