India–UK CETA: what zero duty means for turmeric, ginger, botanicals
By the IndoFolk Wellness Care Team | Last reviewed October 2026
Quick answer: The India–UK CETA came into force on 15 July 2026. Turmeric, ginger, whole pepper and most plant extracts were already at 0% UK duty, so their rate has not changed. The real savings are on processed lines such as ground pepper (was 4%), sauces (6%) and some pickles (16%), now 0% with valid proof of origin. Food safety checks are stricter: Indian turmeric and ginger entering England now need ETO and pesticide test results.
The headlines say "zero duty on spices". For a UK buyer of Indian turmeric, ginger or botanical extracts, the duty was often zero already, and import checks got stricter this year. Demand is not the issue: India's turmeric powder exports reached ₹1,123 crore in FY2024-25, up 45% (DGCI&S trade data, FY2024-25). Getting the paperwork right is.
What actually changed on 15 July 2026?
The CETA was signed on 24 July 2025 and came into force on 15 July 2026. The UK government says 99% of Indian goods entering the UK are now duty free or on reduced tariffs; some cuts are phased in over years. For the spice and botanical lines we checked, the India rate on the UK Trade Tariff is already 0%.
The UK Global Tariff already charged 0% on raw turmeric, ginger, whole black pepper, curry and most plant extracts from any country. There, the CETA locks in a zero rate rather than creating one. The cuts that matter fall on processed and value-added lines.
Which product groups gain, and by how much?
The table below shows what the UK Trade Tariff listed in October 2026 for some example commodity codes. "DCTS standard" is the preference India could already claim under the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme. A dash means the third-country rate was already zero, so there was nothing to claim.
Product (example UK commodity code) | UK third-country duty | DCTS standard rate | India under CETA |
|---|---|---|---|
Turmeric (0910 30 00 00) | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Ginger, whole or ground (0910 11 / 0910 12) | 0% | — | 0% |
Black pepper, whole (0904 11 00 10) | 0% | — | 0% |
Pepper, crushed or ground (0904 12 00 00) | 4% | 0% | 0% |
Other sauces and mixed seasonings (2103 90 90 89) | 6% | 2.5% | 0% |
Food preparations n.e.s. (2106 90 92 85) | 12% | 8.5% | 0% |
Other vegetables preserved in vinegar, e.g. some pickles (2001 90 97 91) | 16% | 11.2% | 0% |
Plant extracts, other (1302 19 70 00) | 0% | 0% | 0% |
So the widely quoted "4–16%" range is real, but it applies to processed foods, not to raw turmeric or ginger. Always check the tariff for your exact HS code. Classification decides the rate, and a sauce, a seasoning blend and a supplement premix can each fall under a different heading.
The export base behind these lines is growing. In FY2024-25, India's plant extract exports reached ₹4,381 crore (+32%), turmeric oleoresin ₹965 crore (+26%) and dried ginger ₹319 crore (+195%), across all markets (DGCI&S trade data, FY2024-25).
Why does the CETA matter if DCTS already gave 0%?
India will leave the DCTS on 15 July 2028, after a two-year transition. Until then importers can claim either DCTS or CETA preference, as long as they meet that scheme's rules. After that date the CETA is the route to preferential rates. Two practical points:
DCTS and CETA proofs of origin are not interchangeable. A document made for one scheme cannot support a claim under the other.
Contracts that run past mid-2028 should already name the CETA as the basis for any preference claim.
Rules of origin and proof of origin: the basics
You only get preference if the goods "originate" in India under Chapter 3 of the agreement. In practice:
Wholly obtained goods qualify. Spices grown and harvested in India are the plainest case.
Goods made with imported inputs must meet the product-specific rule (PSR) for their HS code. Depending on the code, that can be a change in tariff classification, a minimum qualifying value content, or a specific process. A blend that uses imported carriers or a non-Indian herb needs checking against its PSR.
Transit: goods that pass through a third country must stay under customs control there.
For UK imports, a preference claim can rest on any one of three proofs:
Proof of origin | Who provides it | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
Origin declaration | Indian exporter, on the invoice or a commercial document (template in Annex 3B) | Check the wording and the exporter details against the template |
Certificate of origin | An authorised issuing authority in India (Annex 3C) | Allow time for issue before shipment |
Importer's knowledge | UK importer, backed by documents showing the goods originate | The importer carries the burden of proof and must keep the records |
Keep the supporting records: incorrect claims can mean delays, penalties or lost preference.
What still applies after the duty cut?
A tariff cut does not relax food law. For Indian spices this year, the controls became stricter.
High-risk food controls (England). From 1 January 2026, the Official Controls (Import of High-Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (England) Regulations 2025 list Indian ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices under heading 0910 for special conditions. Each consignment needs an official certificate and lab results for pesticide residues and for ethylene oxide (the sum of ETO and 2-chloroethanol). Identity and physical checks are set at 20% of consignments. Indian cumin, coriander, fennel and other heading 0909 seeds carry similar pesticide requirements. Indian nutmeg, mace and cardamom face 50% checks for pesticide residues, including anthraquinone. This instrument applies in England, so check the position for Wales and Scotland with your border control post.
Pre-notification. These goods need a Common Health Entry Document (CHED-D) through IPAFFS, and they must enter through a designated border control post.
Residue limits. The Spices Board's guidance lists GB limits for ETO of 0.02 mg/kg for dried chilli and dried ginger and 0.10 mg/kg for most other spices. Pesticide MRLs and contaminant limits such as aflatoxins still apply. Our guide to botanical testing and CoAs covers what to ask the lab.
Product status. Some botanical extracts that are new to the UK market may need novel food authorisation, so check with the FSA before you build a product around one.
A buyer checklist for your next Indian spice or botanical order
Step | What to confirm |
|---|---|
1. Classify | The 10-digit UK commodity code for each SKU, and its CETA rate on the UK Trade Tariff |
2. Origin | Indian-grown raw material; the PSR is met for blends and extracts |
3. Proof | An origin declaration matching the Annex 3B template, or a certificate of origin |
4. Food controls | Whether the code is on the high-risk list; official certificate and lab report ready |
5. Lab results | Pesticide residues, ETO as the sum of ETO and 2-CE, aflatoxins, linked to the lot number |
6. Border | CHED-D lodged in IPAFFS; correct border control post booked |
7. Records | Origin and test evidence filed for HMRC and FSA queries |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turmeric duty free from India to the UK?
Yes. Turmeric (0910 30 00 00) shows 0% under the India–UK CETA from 15 July 2026, but it was also 0% under the UK Global Tariff before the deal. The bigger change for turmeric is food safety. Since 1 January 2026, Indian turmeric entering England needs an official certificate and lab results for pesticide residues and ethylene oxide.
When did the India–UK trade agreement come into force?
The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was signed on 24 July 2025 and came into force on 15 July 2026. India stays in the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme until 15 July 2028. During that transition, importers can claim either scheme's preference if they meet its rules and hold the right proof of origin.
What proof of origin do I need for CETA preference?
Use one of three: an origin declaration completed by the Indian exporter, a certificate of origin from an authorised Indian issuing authority, or importer's knowledge. Importer's knowledge only works if you hold documents proving the goods originate, and you carry the burden of proof. DCTS proofs cannot support a CETA claim, or the other way round.
Do botanical extracts get zero duty under the CETA?
For the plant extract code we checked (1302 19 70 00), the CETA rate is 0%, and the third-country rate was already 0%. Extracts blended with imported carriers or excipients may need to meet a product-specific rule of origin. Novel food or supplement rules may also apply, so check the exact code and the product's regulatory status.
Work With IndoFolk Wellness
IndoFolk Wellness is a New Delhi-based sourcing and export coordination partner. We do not own factories. We help UK brands and importers select vetted Indian manufacturers, arrange samples, and line up origin and testing paperwork before goods ship. Request a quote, samples or a spec sheet.
Related Reading
Sources
UK–India Trade Deal (collection; signed 24 July 2025, in force 15 July 2026), GOV.UK
Historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement is now in effect, Department for Business and Trade, GOV.UK
Country graduation from the Developing Countries Trading Scheme: India, GOV.UK
India Free Trade Agreement (enters into force on 15 July 2026), UK Trade Tariff news
Tariffs and customs for imports from and exports to India, Business Growth Service (GOV.UK)
UK-India CETA origin declaration (Annex 3B template), GOV.UK
DGCI&S trade data, FY2024-25 (IndoFolk Wellness trade research memo)
This article is general information, not legal, regulatory or veterinary advice.
Comments