NEW DELHI : India and the United Kingdom have taken another significant step towards operationalising the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the signing of the Modalities for Authentication of Self-Declared Origin Declarations, paving the way for the seamless implementation of the landmark trade pact from 15 July 2026.
The modalities were signed on 9 July 2026 by Shri Vivek Chaturvedi, Special Secretary to the Government of India and Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and Ms. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, marking an important milestone in strengthening bilateral trade facilitation between the two countries.
The agreed framework establishes a secure, transparent and technology-enabled mechanism for the authentication of self-declared origin declarations issued under the India–UK CETA. The arrangement is designed to enable customs authorities in both countries to efficiently verify the authenticity of origin claims, ensuring that eligible exporters and importers can seamlessly avail themselves of the preferential tariff benefits provided under the agreement.
The authentication mechanism is expected to simplify customs procedures, reduce administrative delays and enhance confidence in the implementation of the trade agreement. By leveraging digital verification processes, the framework will promote faster cargo clearance, improve compliance and facilitate smoother cross-border movement of goods.
The India–UK CETA, scheduled to enter into force on 15 July 2026, is expected to significantly deepen economic engagement between the two nations by expanding market access, reducing tariff barriers and creating new opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including engineering goods, textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, food processing, marine products, automobiles, chemicals and professional services.
Officials noted that the authentication arrangement reflects the shared commitment of India and the United Kingdom to adopting modern, secure and technology-driven trade facilitation measures that support transparent customs administration while reducing the compliance burden on businesses.
The signing of the modalities represents another key milestone in the implementation of the India–UK CETA and is expected to provide greater certainty to exporters, importers and other stakeholders as both countries prepare to operationalise one of their most significant bilateral trade agreements.
