+ What does the EU-India trade agreement mean? Opportunities! But vigilance remains necessary!
The new free trade agreement between the EU and India, which was approved on January 27, 2026, could have significant implications for the Belgian clothing and apparel sector. Although the agreement will only come into effect after ratification – likely not before 2027 – it is certain that customs duties on clothing and manufactured goods will nearly disappear. For many products, this means that the current import duties averaging 9.6% will be eliminated.
For Belgian companies that import, this could therefore have a cost-reducing effect.Additionally, the elimination of tariffs opens the door for European exporters to gain easier access to the rapidly growing Indian market.