# Sourcing from India and China for UK brands > UK duty on goods from India, China and Vietnam as of September 2026, including India–UK CETA, plus UKCA, GPSR, PPE, packaging EPR and shipping lanes. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-kingdom/ Market guide · United Kingdom # Sourcing from India and China for UK brands. For UK brands, India became the zero-duty lane on 15 July 2026, when the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force. Chinese goods still pay the UK Global Tariff, and Vietnam has its own preferences through the UK–Vietnam FTA and CPTPP. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-uk) See the duty picture 15 Jul 2026 India–UK CETA in force ~99% of tariff lines at zero for Indian goods 12% top UK clothing duty removed for India Duty snapshot · checked 28 September 2026 **Goods into United Kingdom** * _IN_ India **0% on ~99% of lines (CETA)** In force * _CN_ China **UK Global Tariff (MFN)** No agreement * _VN_ Vietnam **UKVFTA and CPTPP rates** In force Full duty picture and sources ↓ 1. Duty 2. Compliance 3. Shipping 4. India or China 5. How we help 6. Sources 7. FAQ The short answer ## What UK buyers need to know. As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources. 1. 01 **India–UK CETA** entered into force on **15 July 2026**. The Government of India reports zero UK duty on about 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly all of India’s exports by value, including clothing (up to 12% before), footwear and leather (up to 16%) and engineering goods. 2. 02 To claim it, your Indian supplier provides an **origin declaration** or **certificate of origin** , and the goods must meet CETA product-specific rules of origin. 3. 03 **Chinese goods** pay the UK Global Tariff: there is no FTA, and China is not a DCTS beneficiary. **Vietnam** uses the UK–Vietnam FTA or CPTPP, which the UK joined on 15 December 2024. 1 · Duty picture ## What you pay at the border. As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order. ### How duty works in United Kingdom * UK duty follows the UK Global Tariff for the commodity code, charged on a CIF-type customs value (freight and insurance to the UK count), then 20% import VAT on the duty-inclusive value for standard-rated goods. * Proof of origin is what unlocks a preference. Without it, the full UK Global Tariff rate applies even to Indian or Vietnamese goods. * Some Chinese product lines carry UK trade-remedy duties, and steel faces quota arrangements. Check the commodity code on the UK Integrated Online Tariff before quoting. In flux · watch this * CETA is new: HMRC guidance, exporter registration and rules-of-origin practice are still settling. Check that your Indian supplier’s origin declaration matches the product-specific rule for your commodity code. * The UK consulted in 2026 on reforming the general product safety framework under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. Online marketplace and importer duties may change; nothing has replaced the 2005 Regulations yet. IN From India ### 0% on ~99% of lines * In force India–UK CETA in force since 15 July 2026. UK tariffs removed on textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, engineering goods and auto components, chemicals, marine and processed food products (Government of India summary). * In force Claim with an origin declaration or a certificate of origin; the importer’s-knowledge route has limited use. Product-specific rules of origin apply. * In force India remains in the UK DCTS Standard Preferences tier, which still matters for any line where CETA staging has not reached zero. CN From China ### UK Global Tariff * No agreement No UK–China free trade agreement and no DCTS eligibility, so MFN rates apply. * In force Trade-remedy duties apply to specific Chinese products; check the tariff by commodity code. VN From Vietnam ### UKVFTA and CPTPP * In force The UK–Vietnam FTA has applied since 1 January 2021, and Vietnam left the DCTS in January 2023. * In force CPTPP has applied to the UK since 15 December 2024. Importers can use whichever agreement gives the better rate and whose origin rules the goods meet. ### Agreements and measures that apply * **India–UK CETA** UK and India In forceSince 15 Jul 2026 Zero duty on about 99% of UK tariff lines for Indian goods; origin declaration or certificate of origin. * **UK DCTS** UK → developing countries In forceSince 2023 India in Standard Preferences; Vietnam left in January 2023; China not eligible. * **UK–Vietnam FTA** UK and Vietnam In forceSince 1 Jan 2021 Staged tariff elimination; rules of origin apply. * **CPTPP** UK, Vietnam and others In forceUK since 15 Dec 2024 An alternative preference route for Vietnamese goods. Model it for your product: [Find the HS code](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) [Compare landed cost](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) 2 · Product compliance ## The rules your product has to meet. Great Britain has its own product rules since Brexit, while Northern Ireland follows EU product law. Safety ### GB product safety (GPSR 2005) The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 still apply in Great Britain; Northern Ireland follows the EU GPSR. Importers must put their name and UK address on the product, packaging or accompanying documents. Marking ### UKCA or CE The UK continues to recognise CE marking for most goods placed on the GB market, alongside UKCA. Keep a UK declaration of conformity or the EU one, and technical files your supplier can produce on request. PPE ### PPE Regulation 2016/425 (as it applies in GB) Gloves, eyewear, helmets and safety footwear need the right category conformity assessment and a declaration of conformity before sale. Chemicals ### UK REACH UK REACH runs separately from EU REACH. SVHC communication and restrictions work in a similar way; registration duties sit with the GB importer. [REACH guide ](https://sourcesquid.co/compliance/reach/) Packaging ### Packaging EPR UK producers above the thresholds register, report packaging data and pay waste disposal fees under the UK’s extended producer responsibility for packaging. Origin ### CETA origin evidence Claiming zero duty needs supplier origin evidence you can defend in an HMRC check: bills of materials, input origins and process records. [FTA duty-saver audit ](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) 3 · Getting goods there ## Sea lanes, transit times and Incoterms. Indicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking. * Nhava Sheva / MundraFelixstowe / London Gateway **20–28** days Via Suez; 32–40 via the Cape * ChennaiFelixstowe / Southampton **28–40** days Often transhipped at Colombo * Ningbo / ShanghaiFelixstowe / Southampton **30–38** days Via Suez; 40–50 via the Cape Routing in September 2026: carriers were returning Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal gradually, service by service; sailings via the Cape of Good Hope take roughly 10 to 14 days longer. ### Incoterms norms * FOB (named port) for full containers and FCA for LCL are the UK norms; avoid EXW in India, where the Indian exporter must clear the goods for export. * Import on your own EORI number. For CETA claims, agree in the purchase order that the supplier provides a valid origin declaration with each shipment. * UK customs value includes freight and insurance to the UK, so compare India and China on a CIF-level landed cost. [Pick a term with the Incoterms advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/incoterms-advisor/) 4 · India or China ## Which country suits which product. With CETA in force, many categories that used to be a close call now favour India on landed cost. We run the comparison per commodity code. IN ### Strong from India [About sourcing from India](https://sourcesquid.co/india/) * **Apparel, knitwear and home textiles** Clothing duty of up to 12% has gone for Indian goods under CETA, a real edge against China for cotton garments, towels and bedding. * **Footwear and leather goods** Duties of up to 16% removed; Indian leather clusters have long export records for UK retail. * **Castings, machined parts and auto components** Engineering goods now enter duty-free, with strong foundry and machining clusters. * **Home décor, ceramics and furniture** Specialist clusters for metal, wood, glass and stone, now duty-free for most lines. CN ### Strong from China [About sourcing from China](https://sourcesquid.co/china/) * **Consumer electronics and chargers** Component depth and certification experience for UKCA and CE. * **Plastics, toys and household goods** Tooling speed and cost for moulded products, priced with UK Global Tariff rates. * **Lighting and small appliances** Mature suppliers with test reports your UK importer can file. Running both? [Plan a China + 1 second source](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/china-plus-one/) 5 · How SourceSquid helps ## From duty map to landed container. Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for UK brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for. USD 390 · named factories ### [Supplier shortlist](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/) Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to UK requirements. Free tool ### [Landed cost calculator](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes. Free tool ### [HS code finder](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it. USD 490 per supplier ### [FTA duty-saver audit](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) Rules of origin checked at the factory, up to 5 HS lines, so your zero-duty claim is defensible. From USD 229 per person-day ### [Inspections and audits](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/) In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China. Compliance ### [UK and EU chemicals](https://sourcesquid.co/compliance/reach/) The UK rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory. Sources ## Where these facts come from Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker. 1. [UK Integrated Online Tariff: India Free Trade Agreement enters into force on 15 July 2026](https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/news/stories/india-free-trade-agreement-enters-into-force-on-15-july-2026--13-july-2026) 2. [PIB, Government of India: India–UK CETA to enter into force on 15 July 2026](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2274280®=48&lang=2) 3. [GOV.UK: preference tiers under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/preference-tiers-under-the-developing-countries-trading-scheme) 4. [House of Commons Library: the CPTPP](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9121/) 5. [GOV.UK: using the UKCA marking](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking) 6. [UK Parliament: written statement on product safety framework reform consultations (13 Apr 2026)](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-04-13/hcws1496) 7. [GOV.UK: Regulation 2016/425 and the PPE (Enforcement) Regulations 2018, Great Britain](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-protective-equipment-enforcement-regulations-2018/regulation-2016425-and-the-personal-protective-equipment-enforcement-regulations-2018-great-britain) 8. [GOV.UK: extended producer responsibility for packaging, register and pay the fee](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-register-and-pay-the-fee) 9. [UK Integrated Online Tariff](https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/) 10. [Falcon Maritime: selected container services returning to the Suez Canal (16 Sep 2026)](https://www.falcon-us.com/news/2026/9/16/selected-container-services-returning-to-the-suez-canal) United Kingdom buyer questions ## Straight answers. Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### Is the India–UK trade agreement in force? Yes. The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force on 15 July 2026. According to the Government of India, UK tariffs are zero on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian-origin goods. ### How do I claim zero duty on Indian goods in the UK? Import with valid proof of origin under CETA, either an origin declaration from the exporter or a certificate of origin, and make sure the goods meet the product-specific rule of origin for their commodity code. Without it, the UK Global Tariff rate applies. ### What duty do Chinese goods pay in the UK? The UK Global Tariff (MFN) rate for the commodity code, plus 20% import VAT for standard-rated goods. There is no UK–China free trade agreement, China is not in the DCTS, and some products carry additional trade-remedy duties. ### Do I need UKCA marking for products sold in Great Britain? For most goods the UK continues to recognise CE marking, so either UKCA or CE is accepted. The importer’s name and UK address must also appear on the product, its packaging or accompanying documents. ### How long does sea freight take from India to the UK? As a planning range, Nhava Sheva or Mundra to Felixstowe or London Gateway takes about 20 to 28 days via Suez, and 32 to 40 via the Cape of Good Hope. Confirm the carrier’s current routing, which was changing in September 2026. Other market guides ## Selling in more than one market? [DE · Europe**Germany** EU duty applies, GSP for India is suspended on most industrial goods, and the VerpackDG replaced the VerpackG on 12 August 2026.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/germany/)[NL · Europe**Netherlands** Rotterdam is Europe’s main Asia gateway; Dutch EPR covers packaging and textiles, on top of EU product law.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/netherlands/)[US · North America**United States** India pays MFN plus 10% under Section 301; China and Vietnam pay MFN plus 12.5%, and China keeps its older 301 lists.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-states/) Start here ## Your UK landed cost, in 48 hours. Send one drawing, photo or quote. We return the process chain, the right clusters in India and China, and a landed-cost comparison for your market. [Get a free teardown](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-uk)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)