India ships first jewellery consignments to UK under CETA
More than 30 exporters from six cities shipped nearly $10 million worth of jewellery, marking the first duty-free exports to the UK under the trade pact.
India shipped its first jewellery consignments to the UK under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 15, 2026. More than 30 exporters across six cities dispatched nearly $10 million worth of gold, diamond, silver and platinum jewellery, becoming the first to benefit from duty-free access to the UK market.
The nationwide effort was led by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Customs authorities, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), state governments and exporters.
Over a period of a few days, teams in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Jaipur, Chennai and Kolkata worked together to prepare exporters, issue Certificates of Origin, complete customs clearances, coordinate flight schedules, organise ceremonial flag-offs and manage media outreach to ensure the consignments were shipped on the first day of the agreement.
According to GJEPC, the coordinated effort resulted in a synchronised national launch that highlighted India's jewellery manufacturing ecosystem and demonstrated how collaboration between government and industry can translate a trade agreement into commercial activity.
With the removal of UK import duties of up to 4%, GJEPC expects India's gem and jewellery exports to the UK to increase from $754 million to nearly $2.5 billion over the next three years. The council said the agreement is expected to create new opportunities for exporters, MSMEs, artisans and manufacturers.
GJEPC said the first shipment represented more than a ceremonial flag-off and reflected what can be achieved through coordinated efforts between the government and industry.
