Exporting to South Korea

Preferential access

2 agreements are in force with South Korea. If your product meets the rules of origin, your buyer can pay a lower duty, or none, when you send a preferential certificate of origin.

ECGCA1

In force

India–Korea CEPA

CEPA · in force since 1 Jan 2010

In force

Gives Indian goods preferential duties in South Korea since 2010. The two countries are negotiating an upgrade, re-energised by a Joint Declaration of 20 April 2026; the 12th round was held in New Delhi on 25–27 May 2026, and India wants the upgrade to address its growing trade deficit.

Upgrade talks cover goods, services, rules of origin and origin procedures, investment and SPS, plus new sub-groups on digital trade, supply chains and industrial cooperation
12th upgrade round: 25–27 May 2026, New Delhi; both sides committed to conclude 'in a time-bound manner' (no date set)

Rules of origin: Product-specific rules set out in the agreement's rules-of-origin chapter. Check the rule for your HS heading before you claim the preference.
How to claim: Preferential Certificate of Origin under IKCEPA; e-filed on DGFT's Trade Connect eCoO platform (www.trade.gov.in) (electronic issuance since 6 March 2020).

Sources · checked 30 Sep 2026: PIB – 12th round of India-Korea CEPA upgrade negotiations (28 May 2026) · Rajya Sabha answer on FTAs, 20 March 2026 (mirror) · DGFT CoO platform – relevant documents

APTA

PTA · in force since 17 Jun 1976 · with Bangladesh, China, Laos and 3 more

In force

India's only trade agreement giving preferences in China. Under the fourth round of concessions (effective 1 July 2018) members cut duties on over 10,660 tariff lines with an average margin of preference of about 32%, so Indian goods pay less than the normal (MFN) duty, not zero, on listed products.

Originated as the Bangkok Agreement (1975); renamed APTA in 2005; Mongolia joined in 2020
Fourth round (from 1 July 2018): over 10,660 tariff lines, average margin of preference 31.73%
India offered concessions on 3,142 items, and deeper cuts on 1,249 items for LDC members (average margin 81%)

Rules of origin: Non-originating inputs may not exceed 55% of FOB value (65% for LDCs); cumulative APTA content of at least 60% (50% for LDCs).
How to claim: APTA Certificate of Origin; apply on DGFT's Trade Connect eCoO platform (www.trade.gov.in).

Sources · checked 30 Sep 2026: WTO RTA database – Asia Pacific Trade Agreement · UNESCAP – Sharing on APTA (Oct 2023) · Apparel Resources – India offers tariff concession on 3,142 items to APTA members (Jul 2018) · DGFT – Appendix 2A: agencies authorised to issue CoO under FTAs/PTAs

Also applies, narrowly

GSTP

PTA · in force since 19 Apr 1989 · with Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh and 38 more

In force

A preferential scheme among developing countries (signed in Belgrade in 1988). Each participant grants tariff cuts only on the products in its own schedule, so the benefit is narrow; check the partner's GSTP schedule before relying on it. Certificates are issued by the Export Inspection Council.

Make the document checklist for this shipment Every document for exporting to South Korea, from IEC to the certificate of origin and what South Korea's customs will ask for.

Agreement texts and tariffs change. Before you ship, confirm the duty and the origin rule for your exact tariff line with your customs broker or the agreement's official text. Last checked 30 Sep 2026.