Manufacturing in India: importing to the UK
Manufacturing in India gives UK buyers access to a large supplier base, with differences in lead time, quality control and paperwork. This guide is for UK businesses considering Indian suppliers. It covers strong categories, risks and trade terms, and how we find and qualify suppliers in India.
By Matt Buckley · Updated
Where Indian manufacturers are strongest
- Textiles, home textiles and apparel
- Engineered components, castings and forgings
- Leather goods and footwear
- Pharmaceuticals and chemicals
- Auto components and electrical goods
Trade rules for importing from India to the UK
India benefits from the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which can reduce duty on eligible goods [1]. The UK and India also signed a free trade agreement in 2025 [2]; check GOV.UK for whether it is in force and which goods it covers before relying on it. As always, confirm the commodity code and rate on the UK Global Tariff.
What to check
- Whether the supplier manufactures or sub-contracts
- Export experience with UK or EU buyers
- Quality certifications and test reports
- Lead times, including inland transport to port
- Social compliance and modern slavery risk
Making it work
India works best for categories where it has deep supplier clusters. Our product sourcing service shortlists Indian manufacturers, runs supplier due diligence and models landed cost against China and Vietnam.
If you want help finding and qualifying suppliers, an independent product sourcing agent can compare options on landed cost for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an EORI number to import from India?
Yes. UK businesses importing goods need a GB EORI number, whatever the country of origin.
Is there a trade agreement between the UK and India?
The UK and India signed a free trade agreement in 2025. Check GOV.UK for its current status. Separately, India is covered by the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
References
Numbered citations link to the sources below. Illustrative examples and calculations are identified separately in the article.
Further reading
Related insights
More practical reading on procurement, cost and supply chain.
An illustrative project from brief to first shipment, with a landed cost comparison of China, Turkey and Portugal.
Write the specification, search well, tell factories from traders and compare on landed cost.
Estimate landed cost per unit with freight, insurance and duty, and import VAT shown separately.
Discuss your procurement priorities
Book an introductory call with Caventis to discuss your requirements.