India–UK trade deal: apply by 21 November for the 2027 import quota on UK cars and goods vehicles
TaxByKK · Compliance News · taxbykk.com6 Nov 2026
In short
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has invited fresh applications for allocation of tariff rate quota (TRQ) under the India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) for calendar year 2027. Public Notice No. 39/2026-27, dated 6 November 2026, covers motor cars and goods vehicles imported as completely built units (CBUs). The application window is 6 to 21 November 2026. The procedure is the one already laid down in Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as notified by Public Notice No. 19/2026-27 of 9 July 2026.
- Authority
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Public notice
- No. 39/2026-27 dated 6 November 2026
- Type
- Public notice
- Made under
- Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023; in continuation of Public Notice No. 19/2026-27 of 9 July 2026
- Quota year
- Calendar year 2027
- Application window
- 6 November 2026 to 21 November 2026
- Procedure
- Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A of the FTP, 2023
What changed
| Item | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Cars (CBU, not registered anywhere before import), engine up to 1500 cc | — | TRQ quantity 6,000 |
| Cars (CBU), petrol above 1500 cc up to 3000 cc, or diesel above 1500 cc up to 2500 cc | — | TRQ quantity 6,000 |
| Cars (CBU), petrol above 3000 cc or diesel above 2500 cc | — | TRQ quantity 12,500 |
| Goods vehicles (CBU), other than electric or hydrogen fuel vehicles (tariff items 87041010, 87042100, 87042200, 87042300, 87043100, 87043200) | — | TRQ quantity 2,750 |
The car bands cover the tariff items under heading 8703 listed in the notice. The notice does not state the unit of the quantities (they are shown as plain numbers), the duty rate that applies within the quota, or how the quota is shared among applicants; those follow the procedure in Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A. It does not say what happens to late applications.
Who it applies to
- Importers and distributors of UK-made cars and goods vehicles
- Automobile companies planning 2027 imports from the UK
- Customs brokers and foreign trade advisers, and CAs and lawyers advising importers
What to do
- Decide the 2027 import volume for each engine band and apply on the DGFT portal by 21 November 2026.
- Read Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A of the FTP, 2023 (Public Notice 19/2026-27) for the documents and allocation method.
- Check that each model's tariff item and engine capacity matches the band you apply under; vehicles must not have been registered anywhere before import.
- Note that electric and hydrogen fuel goods vehicles are outside the goods-vehicle quota in this notice.
Reference
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Public Notice No. 39/2026-27 dated 6 November 2026, Inviting TRQ applications under the India–United Kingdom CETA for calendar year 2027, under paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 (File No. 01/89/180/110/AM-25/PC-2(A)/E-45719).
Read the official PDF: DGFT Public Notice 39/2026-27Written by TaxByKK from the official notification. Check the official text before you act on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for the 2027 India–UK CETA vehicle quota?
21 November 2026. The window opened on 6 November 2026.
Which vehicles are covered?
Completely built cars not registered anywhere before import, in three engine bands, and goods vehicles other than electric or hydrogen fuel vehicles.
How large is the quota?
6,000 for cars up to 1500 cc, 6,000 for the middle band, 12,500 for larger engines and 2,750 for goods vehicles, as stated in the notice.
Where is the application procedure?
Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, notified by Public Notice 19/2026-27 of 9 July 2026.