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- Trade agreement with India
- Sector and market opportunities
- Tariff and customs for creative sector goods
- Opportunities for UK businesses
- Rules of origin
- Opportunities for digital trading
- Safer trading online for your business
- Easier business travel
- Department for Business and Trade support
- Useful resources
- Legal disclaimer
Overview
India has one of the world’s largest and fastest‑growing creative economies, with expanding demand for high‑quality content, design, digital production, branded goods and creative services. A growing middle class, rapid digitisation, and large‑scale investment in entertainment, media, fashion and design are creating major commercial opportunities for UK creative businesses.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the UK‑India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is now in force and supports UK creative‑sector exporters by reducing tariff and administrative barriers, clarifying business mobility rules, and strengthening access to India’s creative, digital and consumer markets. This helps UK companies work more confidently with Indian partners and audiences.
As of 2026:
- India’s booming media and entertainment market is projected to grow strongly, with rising consumption across film, TV, animation, gaming and digital content.
- Demand is rising for premium UK fashion, design, publishing, advertising, music, marketing and digital creative services.
- UK creatives are sought‑after partners for collaborations, co‑production, design, cultural content and brand development.
For UK exporters, this means significant opportunities across content, consumer products, creative tech, design, publishing and marketing services.
Trade agreement with India
The FTA entered into force on 15 July 2026. It strengthens the trading relationship between the two countries and provides a clearer, more predictable framework for UK companies exporting to India.
Under the agreement:
- tariffs are reduced or removed on many creative industries products
- digital trade becomes simpler and more secure
- electronic transactions are recognised in law
- temporary movement of business persons is easier and more transparent
- the intellectual property (IP) protection framework is made more transparent and predictable
For the creative industries, this supports more efficient delivery of goods and services, reduces costs, and gives UK companies improved confidence in entering India’s growing consumer and cultural markets.
Sector and market opportunities
There are significant opportunities for UK exporters across content, fashion, design, publishing, marketing, digital production and creative technology as India invests in its creative economy and expands its global cultural footprint.
The agreement’s IP chapter includes clear minimum standards for copyright and related rights for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasters, and provides civil, border and criminal enforcement tools. These horizontal commitments are particularly relevant to creative industries. Creative industries rely heavily on copyright, related rights and branding. Under the IP chapter, authors, performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organisations benefit from clear minimum standards for their exclusive rights, supported by civil, border and criminal enforcement tools. This provides a more predictable environment for licensing, content distribution and brand protection for UK firms operating in India.
Examples of key opportunities
Film, TV, animation and gaming
- content development, screenwriting and production services
- post‑production, visual effects (VFX) and animation services
- gaming design, tools and creative IP partnerships
- co‑production opportunities with Indian studios
Advertising, marketing and branding
- brand strategy and creative communications
- digital advertising and social media campaigns
- experiential, events and cultural marketing
- UK‑India brand collaboration and influencer partnerships
Music, audio and live events
- music production, licensing and performance rights
- distribution partnerships for streaming markets
- live events, festivals and touring support services
- audio technology and creative production tools
- co‑production opportunities with Indian studios
Creative technology
- Augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), immersive experiences and digital storytelling
- creative‑tech tools for production, editing and design
- software technologies supporting creative workflows
- digital‑asset creation, visualisation and interactive media
Businesses should ensure contracts clearly address copyright ownership, performers’ rights and licensing terms, as these are governed by domestic law but supported by the agreement’s transparency and enforcement commitments.
Tariffs and customs for creative sector goods
The FTA marks a major step forward in the UK’s trade relationship with India. For UK exporters, this agreement means improved access to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets. It removes or lowers tariffs on thousands of products, streamlines customs procedures, and clarifies trading rules. By reducing costs at the border and simplifying customs processes, the FTA helps UK firms compete more effectively and plan with confidence.
Opportunities for UK businesses
Before the FTA, UK exporters faced tariffs that could add significant costs to their products, making it harder for them to be competitive in India. Exporters also reported problems with customs procedures being complex and time-consuming, creating uncertainty and delays. The FTA changes this by:
- eliminating or reducing tariffs on 90% of Indian imports of UK goods
- providing clear timelines for staged tariff elimination or reductions in many sectors
- ensuring more predictable and efficient customs procedures
- encouraging digital customs systems and advance rulings for clarity
For UK exporters, this means lower costs, minimised administrative hurdles, and greater certainty and predictability when planning export strategies.
Rules of origin
To benefit from reduced or zero tariffs under the FTA, UK exporters must ensure their goods meet the agreement’s rules of origin. These rules determine whether a product is considered to originate in the UK and therefore qualifies for preferential treatment.
There are 3 main ways a good can qualify as originating under the agreement – it is:
- wholly obtained or produced in the UK or India
- made entirely from originating materials sourced from the UK or India
- produced using non-originating materials but meets specific product-level rules known as product-specific rules (PSRs)
Register with HM Revenue and Customs
Under the FTA a claim for preferential tariff treatment can be made by the importer on the basis of an origin declaration completed by a UK producer or exporter. To do so, a UK producer or exporter must be registered with HMRC prior to completing origin declarations.
Register to complete origin declarations under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on GOV.UK.
If you have not registered with HMRC your origin declarations will be rejected and your importer will not be able to claim preference.
Registered UK exporters or producers must also provide a self-certificated origin declaration to Indian customs and the Indian importer before a claim for preference is made by the importer.
For detailed guidance, refer to the rules of origin guide which explains the criteria and provides sector-specific examples.
Opportunities for digital trading
Electronic contracts
The agreement ensures that electronic contracts are legally valid and cannot be considered invalid just because they are in electronic form.
However, India might impose specific criteria regarding electronic contracts, including some circumstances where they are not accepted. You should check local regulations for more information.
Electronic authentication and trust services
Electronic signatures and electronic authentication increase trust in e-commerce by helping to verify that transactions (and the people behind them) are genuine. The agreement ensures that electronic authentication and trust services, such as electronic signatures and time stamps are considered legally valid. Strengthening the legal validity of electronic trust services provides greater confidence that transactions can be concluded through electronic means.
However, India might impose specific criteria regarding electronic trust services and authentication, including some circumstances where they are not accepted. You should check local regulations for more information.
You have the freedom to determine the best way of authenticating your transaction. However, for some transaction categories, there can be specific requirements. The agreement also encourages mutual recognition of trust services, which supports smoother cross-border digital interactions in the future.
Paperless trading
Paperless trading refers to the conduct of trade activities using electronic rather than paper documents. This reduces administrative costs and improves efficiency of processes, benefiting UK businesses across all sectors.
The UK and India have committed to accept trade documents in electronic form, where possible, and to treat them as legally equivalent to paper versions. There may be some exceptions, and you should check local regulations for more information.
The UK and India have also committed, where possible, to making trade administration documents available in electronic form.
Safer trading online for your business
Online consumer protection
The agreement recognises the importance of strong and transparent consumer protection measures to guard against misleading, deceptive, fraudulent or unfair practices in digital trade.
Under the agreement, the UK and India have committed to maintaining effective consumer protection laws for online transactions, including rules that prohibit harmful commercial practices.
Protected source code
The UK and India have agreed that businesses are not required to give access to – or transfer – source code (including algorithms embedded in it), except in specific legal and regulatory circumstances.
Easier business travel
For UK exporters and service providers, the benefits of the agreement go beyond tariff reductions. The agreement creates a predictable and transparent framework for business mobility, which is critical for sectors where face-to-face engagement matters. For example:
- Creative industries businesses can attend trade fairs, meet distributors, and negotiate contracts without worrying about visa delays.
- Service providers such as content designers, advertising agencies and production studios can deliver projects onsite, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Consultancies can provide advisory services under clear rules, strengthening trust with Indian clients.
By reducing administrative barriers and clarifying eligibility, the agreement helps UK businesses compete effectively in India’s dynamic market.
Under the FTA, both governments have committed to facilitating the temporary movement of business persons. This means UK professionals can expect:
- faster and more predictable visa processing
- clear definitions of permitted activities
- longer stays for certain categories of business travellers
- legal certainty and transparency
These changes give UK companies confidence to plan visits, deploy staff, and deliver projects without unnecessary disruption.
Find out more in our guide: Travelling to India for work.
Department for Business and Trade support
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade agreements, and champions free trade. Helpful links, tools and services available from DBT and wider government include:
Export Support Service (ESS) team
Get support on how to do business abroad. Businesses in Wales can also access support from Business Wales.
Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM)
DBT's overseas in-market export support service for SMEs with high-export potential. Our International Market Advisers provide tailored support and market introduction information to new and current UK exporters looking to enter or expand into new markets. The service may be accessed globally with International Markets teams in South Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, North America and Latin America.
Sign up to access webinars on how to grow your international sales.
Information on finance and insurance for UK exports.
Trade and investment factsheets
The latest statistics on trade and investment between the UK and individual overseas partners.
Overseas business risk profiles
Information for UK businesses on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas.
Advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.
Check or report a trade barrier
If you encounter an issue when exporting to any country – report the issue and UK government officials will be able to assess the issue and consider the options we have open to addressing it as appropriate.
Search for your specific product to find applicable tariffs for each market, explore rules of origin and step-by-step help on customs procedures.
Check import duties and allows you to check the status of available tariff rate quotas.
Useful resources
Prior to export, you must be aware of local regulations and import conditions in India that apply to your goods or services. This can include tax considerations, labour laws, intellectual property rules, labelling and packaging regulations, among others.
To seek further information related to local regulations, business culture, or to find a local lawyer, translator, importer, or distributor, you can use the following contacts:
To see a range of official Indian government portals on procurement opportunities, policy insights and market access, see our guide: Government procurement opportunities in India.
Legal disclaimer
This document is provided as an information guide only and should not be relied on as a substitute for your own research or independent advice.
No investment and/or business decision should be made solely on the basis of information presented in this document. It is recommended that an independent due diligence investigation is conducted before entering into engagement with any individual, business or other organisation mentioned.
The Department for Business and Trade accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any person as result of any error, omission, inaccurate or misleading statement in this document.
The accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content of any website mentioned in this document is not guaranteed in any way, implied or explicit.
