The FTA provides sweeping tariff reductions and market access for businesses in both countries, offering benefits such as:

Tariff cuts on exports: 

• India will eliminate or sharply cut duties on about 90% of UK product lines. 

• This includes immediate or staged reductions on iconic UK exports (e.g. Scotch whisky duty falls from 150% to 75% at once and to 40% over a decade), as well as lower tariffs on cars, automotive parts, medical devices, electronics, cosmetics, aerospace components, and food and drink products. 

• These cuts reduce costs for UK firms and make exports more competitive in India’s market.

Duty-free access for Indian goods: 

• The UK will remove tariffs on roughly 99% of Indian goods. This opens up nearly all Indian exports – such as textiles, apparel, footwear, jewelry, processed foods, frozen shrimp, and other manufactured items – to the UK market at zero duty. 

• Cheaper import costs mean British consumers and businesses gain access to a wider range of Indian products at lower prices.

Improved market access: 

• UK companies gain easier entry into the fast-growing Indian market. Preferential tariffs help UK sectors like food and beverage (whisky, confectionery), automotive (cars and parts), electrical machinery and electronics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and textile machinery. 

• Similarly, key Indian industries (textiles, gems and jewelry, chemicals, machinery, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, etc.) get better access to Britain. Overall, about 85% of tariff lines will become duty-free within 10 years under a gradual schedule.

Trade facilitation and transparent procedures: 

• The agreement commits both countries to streamline customs and border procedures. 

• Traders will benefit from clear, predictable rules: 

  • faster customs clearance (targeting 48-hour release of shipments), 

  • simplified paperwork (e.g. electronic documentation and payment),

  • and online access to regulations. 

• This reduced red tape and enhanced transparency will make cross-border trade faster and less costly.

Business mobility and services: 

• The FTA includes provisions for movement of business professionals. 

• UK and Indian firms will be able to send employees 

  • contractual service suppliers, 

  • independent professionals, 

  • business visitors to service projects on a temporary basis. 

• UK services firms (especially financial, insurance, and professional services) gain guaranteed market entry and non-discriminatory treatment in India, and vice versa for covered Indian services in the UK. 

• This enhances cooperation in sectors like IT, finance, education, and legal/accounting advice.

Support for small businesses: 

• The deal dedicates measures to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 

• These include special contact points for information, simpler trading procedures, and help with understanding rules of origin or regulatory requirements. 

• UK export support networks and Indian trade promotion efforts will collaborate to guide SMEs in tapping new market opportunities.