India to European Union Trade Guide

Trade Relationship Overview

India and the EU do not currently have a comprehensive free trade agreement (negotiations have been ongoing intermittently since 2007), but India benefits from the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) — wait, India was actually removed from the standard GSP scheme in 2014 once it reached upper-middle-income status thresholds for certain product categories, though some product-specific concessions and the standard MFN framework still apply.

In practice, most Indian exports to the EU move under standard MFN tariff treatment. The EU-India Trade and Technology Council and ongoing FTA negotiations may eventually create more preferential pathways, but as of today, exporters should plan around MFN rates.

Tariff Rates by Product Category

Category	HS Chapter	EU MFN Rate	Notes
Textiles & Apparel	61–62	8–12%	One of India's largest export categories to EU
Leather Goods & Footwear	42, 64	3–17%	Varies significantly by sub-category
Pharmaceuticals	30	0%	India is a major generic drug exporter to EU
Gems & Jewelry	71	0–2.5%	Diamond processing hub advantage
Chemicals	28–38	5.5–6.5%	Standard MFN industrial chemical rates
Auto Parts	87	3–4.5%	Growing export category

Required Documents

Commercial Invoice

Detailed product description, HS code, and value declaration.

Packing List

Carton breakdown matching invoice line items.

Bill of Lading

From the ocean carrier for FCL/LCL shipments.

Certificate of Origin

Non-preferential, confirming Indian manufacture.

EORI Number (importer side)

EU importer must have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number to clear customs.

Product-Specific Certificates

CE marking for applicable goods, REACH compliance for chemicals, phytosanitary certificates for agricultural products.

Key Sourcing Hubs in India

Tirupur / Coimbatore — major knitwear and textile export hub
Mumbai / Surat — gems, jewelry, and diamond processing
Delhi NCR / Noida — leather goods, footwear, handicrafts
Chennai / Pune — automotive components and machinery

💡 Watch for Future FTA Developments

The EU and India have periodically restarted free trade negotiations. If a comprehensive EU-India FTA concludes, tariff rates on many categories — especially textiles and leather goods — could drop significantly. Monitor official negotiation updates if you're planning long-term sourcing strategy around this route.

Common HS Codes for This Route

6109.10 Cotton T-Shirts 12%

3004.90 Pharmaceuticals 0%

7113.19 Gold Jewelry 2.5%

4202.12 Leather Bags 3.7%

6403.91 Leather Footwear 8%

For a complete classification lookup, use our HS Code Lookup tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does India have GSP benefits with the EU?

India was removed from the EU's standard GSP scheme for many product categories after reaching upper-middle-income thresholds. Most trade now moves under standard MFN rates, though some product-specific provisions may still apply — verify your HS code's current status.

Is there an EU-India free trade agreement?

Not currently. Negotiations have been ongoing intermittently for years without a concluded comprehensive agreement. Monitor official sources for updates if your sourcing strategy depends on future preferential access.

What EU compliance certificates does my product need?

Depends on category: CE marking for electronics and machinery, REACH registration for chemicals, and phytosanitary certificates for plant-based products. Verify requirements for your specific HS code before shipping.

Calculate your exact costs for this route

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