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Here’s a comprehensive, exporter-focused guide to India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/CEPAs, arranged from latest to oldest, with signing/effective timelines and key provisions/clauses (including notable exceptions) that Indian exporters should know.

Status: Signed on 27 January 2026 (Negotiated since 2007)
Type: Comprehensive FTA
Effective: Phased in after ratification (expected 2026–onwards)
Key Provisions — What Exporters Should Know

• Tariff liberalisation: Elimination/reduction of tariffs on ~96–99% of goods over a transitional period.
   
• Market access: Greater services access (IT, financial, maritime).
   
• Investment and IP: Investment protection and intellectual property chapters.
   
• Trade facilitation: Simplified customs rules & dispute settlement mechanisms.
  Exceptions & Safeguards
   
• Sensitive sectors like dairy, cereals, small automobiles, and some agriculturals are excluded or protected with safeguards.
   

📌 Exporter Tip: This deal opens significant EU markets for textiles, gems, marine products, and chemicals but requires compliance with EU standards (SPS/TBT). 

Status: Signed December 2025 (reported)
Type: CEPA
Effective: Expected 2026 upon ratification
Key Provisions

• Tariff access: Zero duty on ~98% of Oman’s tariff lines; India reciprocates on ~78%.
   
• Export focus: Opportunities in engineering goods, textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals.
  Exceptions
   
• Some sensitive Indian import sectors aren’t fully liberalised.
   

📌 Exporter Tip: Indian exporters in engineering and textile sectors should prioritise market entry planning ahead of tariff phases.

Status: Concluded December 2025
Type: FTA
Effective: Signing expected early 2026; ratification pending
Key Provisions

• Tariff reduction: Lower or zero tariffs on ~95% of NZ goods to India and duty-free for Indian goods.
   
• Investment: NZ commits ~$20B investment in India.
  Exceptions
   
• Dairy, spices, edible oils, and some agricultural products excluded from tariff liberalisation to protect domestic sectors.
   

📌 Exporter Tip: Prioritise pharmaceutical and IT exports; dairy exporters should evaluate limited access.

Status: Signed 24 July 2025
Type: FTA
Effective: Phased entry 2026 onward
Key Provisions

• Tariff elimination: ~99% Indian exports; ~90% UK exports (goods).
   
• Services & Investment: Provisions for services market and investment moves.
  Exceptions
   
• Some service and agriculture safeguards retained (details in full text).
   

📌 Exporter Tip: Pelts, leather, auto components can benefit early in tariff phases.

Status: Signed 10 March 2024
Type: Trade & Economic Partnership
Effective: 1 October 2025
Key Provisions

• Tariff reductions: Large tariff cuts on goods (~99% of export value).
   
• Services & Investment: Liberalised; includes sustainable development commitments.
  Exceptions
   
• Sector-specific safeguards and Rules of Origin requirements apply.
   

📌 Exporter Tip: Excellent opportunities for pharmaceuticals and engineering exports to Switzerland and Norway.

Status: Signed 29 December 2022
Type: CECA/FTA
Effective: Operational since 2022
Key Provisions

• Tariff access: Early tariff removal for ~96% of goods.
   
• Export boosts: Significant for marine products, minerals, education services.
  Exceptions
   
• Gradual liberalisation for agriculture; some sensitive products retained.
   

Status: Signed 18 February 2022 & effective from 1 May 2022
Type: CEPA
Key Provisions

• Tariff cuts on >90% goods, liberalised rules of origin and customs.
   
• Strong growth in gems, textiles, leather exports.
  Exceptions
   
• Some protective clauses for select sensitive imports.
   

Status: Signed 22 February 2021 & effective 1 April 2021
Type: CECPA
Key Provisions

• Focus on goods & services trade; easier market entry in Africa via Mauritius.
   
• Exporters benefit from preferential tariffs for textiles & agriculture.
  Exceptions
   
• Standard safeguards for rice and sugar.
   

Most modern FTAs/CEPAs include:

• Tariff reduction schedules: Phased over years with immediate cuts on prioritised lines.
   
• Rules of Origin: To qualify for preferential tariffs.
   
• Services & investment chapters: Increasingly included in CEPAs.
   
• Customs cooperation & SPS/TBT: Simplifying compliance.
   
• Safeguards: For sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy.
   

✅ Map tariff benefits: Use tariff schedules from trade portals (DGFT/DGCI&S) to compute duty reductions.
✅ Understand Rules of Origin: Ensure goods comply to enjoy duty-free access.
✅ Target market services demand: Many agreements include services trade openings.
✅ Evaluate exceptions/safeguards: Adjust product mix where sensitive sectors remain protected. 

How to use this page (for exporters):
✔ Check Duty Benefits for your HS code
✔ Verify Rules of Origin (RoO) eligibility
✔ Watch for Excluded / Sensitive Products
✔ Track Phasing timelines (immediate vs staged)

Most FTAs require:

• Minimum value addition (typically 35–40%)
   
• Change in Tariff Heading (CTH)
   
• Certificate of Origin (CoO)
   

👉 Failure = Full customs duty abroad.

Not all duties drop to zero immediately:

• Category A: Immediate zero duty
   
• Category B/C: Phased over 5–10 years
   
• Excluded List: No concession
   

Especially in EU, UK, EFTA:

• SPS norms (food & agri)
   
• REACH, CE marking
   
• Sustainability & traceability rules

🔷 Quick Exporter Advantage Matrix

Export Category                               Best FTAs to Target

Textiles & Apparel                             EU, UK, UAE, Australia

Pharmaceuticals                                EU, EFTA, Australia

Engineering Goods                            Oman, UAE, EU

Gems & Jewellery                              UAE, Australia

IT / Services                                        UK, EU, Singapore

Marine Products                                EU, Australia