The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) on 15 July 2026 joined the Department of Commerce, Government of India, in celebrating the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Flagging-off Ceremony held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, marking the start of duty-free exports trade agreement.
The implementation of the India–UK CETA is expected to significantly boost India’s leather, footwear and allied industries by providing duty-free access to the UK
Under the agreement, import duties of up to 16% on Indian leather and footwear products entering the UK have been reduced to zero.
According to official figures, India’s exports of leather and footwear products to the UK reached $419.67 million during FY 2025-26.
Exports included:
Leather footwear worth $228.7 million,
Leather goods worth $102.2 million,
Saddlery and Harness worth $32.1 million,
Leather garments worth $28.9 million,
Footwear components worth $18.8 million,
Non leather footwear worth $8.2 million and
Finished leather worth $593,947.
CLE estimates that the agreement could generate an additional $1 billion to $1.5 billion in exports over the next 3 years through improved market access, stronger competitiveness and increased buyer confidence.
One of the key features of the agreement allows eligible manufacturer-exporters to self-certify Certificates of Origin, enabling UK importers to claim preferential duty benefits with fewer procedural requirements. The provision is expected to reduce documentation, lower transaction costs, speed up customs clearance and improve ease of doing business.
The agreement is also expected to benefit thousands of MSMEs, manufacturers, artisans and workers involved in leather footwear, leather goods, saddlery, leather garments, footwear components and other allied products. It is also expected to encourage investment, technological upgrades, product innovation and more sustainable manufacturing across the sector.
