Exporting from the UK to India

Should you use sea freight or air freight to India?

Sea freight suits bulk and palletised cargo including whisky and machinery; air freight is the realistic option for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and time-critical shipments.

With CETA reducing the duty cost of sea-freighted bulk goods like whisky, the economics increasingly favour sea freight for categories that previously needed air freight to justify the duty hit.

What import duty will your customer pay in India?

The UK-India CETA, in force since 15 July 2026, phases in duty-free or reduced tariffs on 90% of UK tariff lines. Scotch whisky — previously taxed up to 150% — is the highest-profile beneficiary; machinery and automotive parts also see meaningful reductions on an agreed schedule.

CETA's tariff reductions are phased in over a schedule agreed between the two governments, not applied to every line on day one — some goods reach 0% immediately, others step down over several years. Where a specific tariff line has not yet reached its final rate, or the goods do not meet the CETA rules of origin, India's standard MFN tariff continues to apply, which for some categories remains high. Indian GST is also charged on the customs value, separately from any import duty.

The exact phase-in schedule varies by tariff line — check your specific HS code against the CETA schedule before quoting a landed cost, rather than assuming the headline 90% figure applies immediately to your product.

How do you export from the UK to India?

Exporting to India takes six steps: confirm CETA eligibility and phase-in status for your tariff line, file the UK export declaration, arrange any Indian regulatory registration, book sea or air freight, clear Indian customs, then deliver.

How Gxpresss manages your export from the UK to India.

Get an instant freight estimate

Freight cost only — a starting point before your itemised quote.

What does it cost to export a shipment from the UK to India?

A real shipment structure — Scotch whisky, LCL sea freight, Glasgow to Mumbai, claiming CETA preference.

Indian duty on whisky is falling substantially under CETA's phase-in schedule but has not gone directly to 0% on day one, so the buyer's exact landed cost depends on which point in the schedule applies to your shipment date. Ask your buyer's customs broker to confirm the current rate for your specific HS code before finalising a quote.

Which Incoterm should you use exporting to India?

Indian buyers commonly request FOB or CIF for sea freight — the choice decides who controls the shipping line and who carries risk during transit.

Whichever term you agree, the certificate of origin is what secures the CETA preference — Gxpresss verifies CETA eligibility before the container is booked.

What can't you export from the UK to India?

Five categories need extra clearance or fail entry into India: dual-use and defence goods needing a UK export licence, unregistered pharmaceuticals and medical devices, unregistered food products, sanctioned end-users, and cultural goods needing a UK export licence.

• Dual-use and defence-related goods — need a UK export licence from the ECJU before departure.
• Unregistered pharmaceuticals and medical devices — need CDSCO registration before they can be imported into India, regardless of CETA duty treatment.
• Unregistered food products — need FSSAI registration and compliant labelling before sale in India.
• Sanctioned end-users — screen every Indian buyer against UK and international sanctions lists before shipment.
• Cultural goods and antiques — items of UK heritage significance need a UK export licence from Arts Council England.

Unsure whether your product needs Indian regulatory registration or a licence before it ships? Get a free pre-shipment compliance check before you commit to a delivery date.