India-UK CETA what changes for Rajasthan Exporters
Published 24 July 2026 · by FORTI
India's CETA with the UK has come into force, eliminating duties on nearly 99% of exports — with Rajasthan's gems, jewellery and handicraft exporters in Jaipur and Jodhpur set to benefit from zero-tariff access to the UK market.
What changed
India and the UK's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed on 27 July 2025, following the conclusion of negotiations announced in May 2025. The deal removes duties on close to 99% of India's tariff lines, covering nearly the full value of India's exports to the UK.
Why it matters for Rajasthan
- Gems and jewellery duties drop from about 4% to zero, opening deeper access to the UK's roughly $3 billion jewellery import market — a direct opportunity for Jaipur's jewellery exporters.
- Handicraft and furniture makers in Jodhpur stand to gain from the same tariff elimination, per the government's state-wise breakdown of CETA benefits.
- Government estimates project gems and jewellery exports to the UK could double within two to three years.
The bigger picture
The agreement also simplifies rules of origin, letting many exporters self-certify where their goods come from and skipping paperwork for small consignments under £1,000 — a change that could help smaller Rajasthan-based exporters trade more easily with UK buyers.
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