As of September 2026, the EU–India Free Trade Agreement is not yet in force. Negotiations concluded on 27 January 2026, and on 11 September 2026 the European Commission presented proposals to the Council for signature and conclusion. The negotiated text will become binding only after the required internal procedures are completed.
Why companies should prepare before entry into force
Commercial preparation can start earlier than legal implementation. Companies can identify products that may benefit from tariff reductions, review rules of origin, map target customers and assess whether a lower landed cost would change their market position.
Tariffs are only one part of the opportunity
The European Commission states that the negotiated outcome would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a very large share of trade. But companies should also examine customs procedures, product standards, documentation, origin rules and sector-specific requirements.
For Polish exporters to India
Businesses should identify the HS classifications relevant to their products, compare current duties with the negotiated schedules, and estimate how a future tariff change could affect pricing or distributor margins. This is especially important for products where duties currently create a material barrier.
For Indian companies entering Poland and the EU
Preparation should include EU product compliance, importer responsibilities, customs classification, origin documentation and a route-to-market for Poland or other EU member states. Once goods are released for free circulation, they can generally circulate within the EU customs territory.
Do not price future benefits as if they already apply
Until the agreement enters into force, businesses should continue to use the tariff and customs rules that are legally applicable today. Commercial scenarios can model future benefits, but contracts and landed-cost calculations should distinguish current rules from expected future treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EU–India FTA already active?
No. Negotiations have concluded, but the agreement still requires the necessary signature, conclusion and internal legal procedures before entry into force.
What should companies check first?
Product classification, current tariff, negotiated tariff treatment, origin rules, compliance requirements and whether the commercial opportunity justifies action.
Where can businesses verify official information?
The European Commission’s EU–India trade pages and Access2Markets portal are the appropriate official starting points for current legal and tariff information.
Official references:
European Commission — EU trade relations with India
European Commission — negotiated agreement texts
Build two commercial scenarios
Companies should maintain a current-rules scenario using tariffs and customs rules legally applicable today, and a future-FTA scenario based on the negotiated schedules. This prevents expected benefits from being accidentally treated as already available.
Preparation checklist
- Confirm HS classification for priority products.
- Document current tariff and landed cost.
- Review the negotiated tariff schedule for the product.
- Check rules of origin and documentation requirements.
- Estimate how future tariff changes affect customer price or distributor margin.
- Identify accounts where the new economics could change competitiveness.