Importing Indian Handicrafts into the EU in 2026: FTA, Duties, GPSR and Documents

Oct 10

6 min read

If you buy home textiles, pottery, wooden decor or bags from India for the European Union, 2026 has brought a lot of news. The India–EU Free Trade Agreement has been concluded. The EU's GSP preferences for India have changed. Product safety rules are stricter than they were.

This guide sets out where things stand in October 2026 and what you need to do on each shipment.

India–EU FTA: concluded, but not yet in force

India and the EU concluded negotiations on 27 January 2026. India's Ministry of Commerce says the deal will bring EU tariffs of up to 10% down to zero on entry into force. This covers about USD 33 billion of exports in labour-intensive sectors, and textiles, apparel, leather and handicrafts are named among them.

The deal is not in force yet. Here is the current position:

On 11 September 2026 the European Commission sent its proposals to the Council, asking for authorisation to sign and conclude the agreement.
The Commission's proposal for signature says the EU will fully liberalise about 91.4% of imports from India and partially liberalise another 7.7%. Most trade will be liberalised on entry into force. Other tariff lines will be cut in equal annual steps over 3, 5 or 7 years.
After signature, the agreement still needs the European Parliament's consent and a Council decision. India must also ratify it, according to the Commission's next-steps note.

What this means for you: shipments arriving in 2026 pay normal EU duty or GSP rates, not FTA rates. The negotiated texts are published for information. They include the EU tariff schedule (Appendix 2-A1) and the product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-B). Check the staging category for your HS code there. Do not assume every ceramic or wooden line goes to zero on day one.

For India's other deals, see our India trade agreements 2026 overview.

Current EU duties: TARIC and GSP

The rate you pay today is set in TARIC, the EU's integrated tariff database. TARIC shows third-country duties, tariff preferences and any trade defence duties for each code. Note that TARIC does not include national VAT or excise.

India is a beneficiary of the EU's standard GSP. When a country's exports of a product group become highly competitive in the EU market, the GSP rules move that group onto the standard EU rate, a step the EU calls graduation. For 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1909 applies this to two sections that matter to handicraft buyers:

S-11a, "Textiles": standard EU third-country rate.
S-13: articles of stone, plaster, cement, ceramic products, glass and glassware, so blue pottery and other ceramics also use the standard third-country rate.

Wood articles keep standard GSP. The Commission's GSP 2026–2028 update lists the position for every beneficiary country. A new GSP Regulation (EU) 2026/1395, adopted in June 2026, replaces Regulation 978/2012, and its first country lists apply from 1 January 2027. Recheck your codes before you price 2027 deliveries. Once the India–EU FTA enters into force, it is expected to take most of these lines to zero.

To claim GSP, the Indian exporter must be registered in REX and give a statement on origin. The statement is valid for 12 months.

Product group	GSP for India in 2026	Action
Ceramics (blue pottery)	Graduated (S-13)	Use the standard third-country rate in TARIC
Textiles (S-11a)	Graduated	Use the standard rate; check your code in TARIC
Wood articles	Standard GSP applies	Check the code; ask for a REX statement
All products	FTA not yet in force	Watch for the entry-into-force date

GPSR: you need an EU responsible person

The General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 has applied since 13 December 2024. It covers consumer products such as cushions, bags, decor and homeware. The key points for importers:

EU responsible person (Article 16): a covered product cannot be placed on the EU market unless an economic operator established in the EU is responsible for it. According to Access2Markets, this can be an EU manufacturer, an importer, an authorised representative or a fulfilment service provider. For most buyers of Indian goods, that is you as the importer.
Product identification (Article 9(5)): each product needs a type, batch or serial number. Where size or nature does not allow it, the number can go on the packaging or an accompanying document.
Contact details: the manufacturer (Article 9(6)) and the importer (Article 11(3)) must each show their name, registered trade name or trade mark, and their postal and electronic address. This goes on the product or, if that is not possible, on the packaging or an accompanying document.
Language: instructions and safety information must be in a language consumers can easily understand, as set by each Member State.
Online listings (Article 19): distance-sale offers must show the manufacturer's details and the EU responsible person's details. They must also show a product picture and identifier, and any warnings.

Product-specific rules sit on top of GPSR:

Home textiles must carry a fibre composition label under Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, in the official language(s) of the Member State.
Ceramics meant for food fall under the EU food contact rules. These are Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 and Directive 84/500/EEC on ceramics.

EUDR and wooden products

The EU Deforestation Regulation covers wood products listed in its Annex I. It applies from 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators, and from 30 June 2027 for most micro and small operators. If you import sheesham or mango wood carvings, wooden tableware or resin-and-wood items, check your codes now. Our EUDR guide for wooden handicrafts covers the due diligence data you will need from the supplier.

Documents for an EU shipment

EORI number: any economic operator established in the EU needs one for customs. You get it from the customs authority of the Member State where you are established.
Entry Summary Declaration (ENS): under ICS2, every consignment entering the EU by any mode of transport from 1 June 2026 should have a valid ENS. Your carrier or forwarder usually files it.
Commercial invoice and packing list with correct HS codes. See our documents and HS codes guide.
REX statement on origin if you claim GSP.
GPSR, labelling and test documents for the product: product identifiers, fibre content, and food-contact test reports for tableware.
EUDR due diligence data for in-scope wood products, from the application dates above.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm duty rates and obligations with your customs broker or the relevant EU or national authority before you ship.

FAQ

Can I use India–EU FTA rates on orders shipping this year?

No. The agreement has been concluded but not signed or ratified. Until it enters into force, normal EU duty or GSP rates apply.

Does GSP still help on Indian handicrafts?

Yes, for some products. Wood articles keep GSP for 2026–2028. Textiles (S-11a) and ceramics (S-13) have graduated to the standard EU rate because Indian exports in these groups are so competitive. Check your exact code in TARIC.

Who is the GPSR responsible person if I import from India?

It must be an economic operator established in the EU. That is usually the importer. It can also be an authorised representative or a fulfilment service provider.

Will the FTA remove duty on all handicrafts at once?

Not necessarily. The Commission says most trade is liberalised on entry into force. Some lines are cut over 3, 5 or 7 years, so check the EU tariff schedule for your codes.

Working with Kraft Bharat

Kraft Bharat supplies Jaipur blue pottery, Saharanpur wood carving, Sanganeri block print textiles, epoxy resin and wood homeware, and quilted, patchwork and Banjara embroidery bags to buyers worldwide. We provide full export documentation and work with your HS codes and labelling requirements. We also offer custom labels and private label. MOQs start at around 500 pieces depending on the product. Samples are paid, and production usually takes 30–45 days.