New Delhi, July 5 (IANS). The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is going to come into force from July 15 and the Central Government has implemented the rules related to this agreement.
According to the latest notification issued by the Finance Ministry, a product will be considered manufactured in India or the UK if it is wholly manufactured in either of these countries, is made entirely from indigenous materials, or is made using outside inputs, meeting the product-specific conditions of origin set out under the agreement.
The rules issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) determine which goods are eligible for a particular tariff facility under the agreement and also lay down the rules and regulations that exporters and importers must comply with. These rules will also come into effect from July 15 with the agreement.
According to the notification, “These rules will be called the ‘Customs Tariff (Determination of Origin of Goods under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Rules, 2026’. These rules will come into force from July 15, 2026.”
This rule facilitates mixed treatment, whereby goods manufactured in one partner country can be considered to be manufactured in that country if they are used in further production in the other country.
It also states that simple repackaging, relabelling, washing, sorting, polishing, simple assembly and other minor operations will not confer ‘originating status’ on a product. Customs officials will have the right to scrutinize origin claims and deny preferential treatment to products that do not meet the prescribed conditions.
These rules also exempt importers who were not able to claim tariff benefits at the time of import.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently said that India-UK CETA will further strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and innovation, thereby contributing to the shared prosperity of both the countries.
CETA will open new avenues for professionals. In London, Goyal urged Indian companies to enhance their engagement with UK companies and convert the opportunities under CETA into sustained business growth.
Addressing the ‘India-UK: Partners in Progress Business Plenary’ in London, Goyal said that this important trade agreement provides huge opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, technology partnership, innovation and supply chain.
–IANS
abs
