FTA Benefits: Rising HS‑8 Tariff Lines to UAE, Australia and Oman

India’s export record of $863.1 billion in FY 2025‑26 showcases the tangible impact of free‑trade agreements on product‑level market penetration. The Commerce Ministry’s data reveals that the United Arab Emirates, a pivotal Gulf market, now hosts 8,053 HS‑8 tariff lines for Indian goods, up from 7,546 in FY 2021‑22. This 6.7 % expansion contributed $37.3 billion in bilateral trade.

Australia’s trade relationship has also deepened. The number of Indian exportable HS‑8 lines grew from 5,396 to 5,668, an addition of 272 lines that generated $7.2 billion in FY 2025‑26. Certificates of Origin under the India‑Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement have risen sharply, with an average of 45,527 issued each year since the pact’s activation.

Oman represents another success story. The Oman CEPA delivers duty‑free status for 99.38 % of Indian exports, covering 98.08 % of Omani tariff lines. After the agreement’s June 2026 commencement, eligible tariff lines increased from 2,879 to 3,371, and export value surged to $622.8 million in June 2026—up 54.7 % from the previous month and 189.6 % year‑on‑year.

These figures are underpinned by the systematic issuance of Certificates of Origin: 445,000 for the UAE CEPA, 273,000 for the Australia pact, and 783 for the Oman agreement. The government’s continuous oversight—leveraging origin certificates and partner trade data—ensures that exporters reap preferential duty benefits while maintaining compliance.

Minister Prasad noted that FTAs have deliberately prioritized labour‑intensive sectors, granting them broader market reach without compromising the protection of sensitive domestic industries. The net effect is a diversified export portfolio that spans textiles, leather, apparel and related services, positioning India as a more competitive player in global trade.