Scotch Whisky body presses for swift India FTA rollout as 150% tariff set to halve

The Scotch Whisky Association is urging quick implementation of the India-UK CETA, which would immediately cut import duties from 150% to 75% and to 40% over a decade. The deal could unlock significant shelf expansion across India's liquor retail channel, with the UK industry citing 2.2 billion pounds in trade and 6,900 jobs at stake.

— Source publishedTue, 19 May, 2026, 23:36 IST·First seen Tue, 19 May, 2026, 23:47 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

UK's Scotch Whisky Association urges swift implementation of India-UK CETA, which will halve import tariffs from 150% to 75% immediately and to 40% over 10

Key facts

  • 150%
  • 75%
  • 40%
  • 10 years
  • 2.2 billion pounds
  • 6,900 jobs

Why this matters

Scout Indian distribution partners, bottling JVs, and regional brand acquisitions ahead of CETA implementation to lock in channel access before competitors crowd in.