India-UK CETA goes live July 15: Scotch duty crashes 150% to 40%, textiles win UK duty-free access
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement takes effect July 15, 2026 after resolving a steel quota deadlock. Scotch whisky tariffs collapse from 150% to 40%, auto duties drop to 10%, and 99% of tariff lines go duty-free. Indian textiles, leather, footwear and gems gain UK access; bilateral trade target £25.5B with £400M first-year savings.
What happened
India-UK CETA takes effect July 15 after steel quota breakthrough. Indian textiles, leather, footwear, gems & jewellery gain UK duty-free access; Scotch whisky
Key facts
- July 15 2026
- £4.8 billion UK GDP
- £5.1 billion India GDP
- £25.5 billion bilateral trade
- 99% tariff lines duty-free
- Scotch duty 150% to 40%
- Auto tariff 100% to 10%
- £400 million first-year savings
- $900 million steel exports
Why this matters
Scout bolt-on Scotch distributors and UK-facing Indian apparel/leather brands now, as CETA reshapes landed-cost economics and invites cross-border consolidation.