India-UK CETA TRQ Guide
DGFT Public Notice No. 22/2026-27
Dated 20 July 2026
Issuing Authority: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Subject: Inviting TRQ Applications under India–UK CETA for CY 2026
Prepared by: Pratik Khandelwal | Legal Team
1. What the Notification Says
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued Public Notice No. 22/2026-27, dated 20-07-2026, as per the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, in continuation of Public Notice No. 19/2026-27 dated 09-07-2026, which guides the procedural aspect of submission of applications.
Businesses planning to import vehicles under the India–UK CETA should understand the complete range of DGFT Services available for import licensing, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Via this notification, you can apply for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation under the United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), for the calendar year 2026. The deadline for submission of applications for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) is from 21-07-2026 to 04-08-2026, a 15-day period only.
Imported motor vehicles as Completely Built Unit (CBU), which are not registered anywhere before importation, come under the eligibility. The table below specifies the permitted quota:
| Sl No | Vehicle Type | Engine Capacity (cc) | TRQ Quantity (Units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passenger vehicles | Up to 1500 cc | 2329 units |
| 2 | Passenger vehicles | Petrol - 1500 to 3000 cc Diesel – 1500 to 2500 cc |
2329 units |
| 3 | Passenger vehicles | Petrol – above 3000 cc Diesel – above 2500 cc |
4658 units |
| 4 | Transport carrier vehicles | Other than electric or hydrogen fuel | 1164 units |
The import process for all the listed motor vehicles will be permitted after meeting the requirements of Annexure – VII of Appendix 2A of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as per Public Notice 19/2026-27. Importers must also possess a valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by DGFT before carrying out import transactions.
2. Impact
It will have an impact on Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) & dealer/channel partners duly authorised by OEM importing motor vehicles (made in the UK) to India as Completely Built Units (CBUs) under the CETA preferential-quota route.
- Action required: A TRQ application is required to be filed from 21-07-2026 to 04-08-2026 period only. So, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) & dealer/channel must apply during these 15 days.
- The TRQ quotas are limited for each category. Allocation is based on a first-come, first-served basis, where submission of an application on a timely basis becomes critical. The demand is high, especially for 1500 cc passenger vehicles, resulting in higher submissions.
- This notice is not sufficient for the application. Public Notice 19/2026-27 dated 09-07-2026 is also required for processing (Annexure-VII of Appendix 2A).
- The Notice does not mention any penalty. So, we can conclude that it is an invitation, not a compliance-enforcement notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Online submission of TRQ applications may require a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and Importer Exporter Code (IEC) to authenticate documents and complete the filing process securely through the DGFT portal.
3. How Kireeti Can Help
- Providing advisory services to an importer/dealer who is importing or planning to import Completely Built Units (CBU) motor vehicles from the United Kingdom (UK) under Public Notice No. 22/2026-27.
- Facilitation services regarding preparation of application & filing for TRQ within the mentioned timelines (21-07-2026 to 04-08-2026).
- Assistance with DGFT Services, documentation, compliance, and liaison support for vehicle imports under the India–UK CETA framework.
Need assistance with India–UK CETA TRQ applications, DGFT documentation, or import compliance? Contact our DGFT experts for end-to-end support with eligibility assessment, documentation, and timely application filing.
