[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UK Free Trade Agreements UK TradeCPTPP # UK Free Trade Agreements: CPTPP, India FTA, and Trade Deal Benefits for Importers Since leaving the EU, the UK has signed new FTAs with Australia, New Zealand, and acceded to CPTPP — opening preferential duty routes for electronics supply chains from Asia-Pacific. Understanding which FTA covers your supply chain, how rules of origin work, and how to correctly claim preference at UK customs can meaningfully reduce import costs at scale. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fuk-free-trade-agreements) ## Key UK trade agreements for tech importers ### UK-Australia FTA (UKAUSFTA) 31 May 2023 **Tech benefits:** Tariff elimination on a wide range of electronics and machinery over a transition period. Immediate zero duty on many tech products where UK GTT is already 0%. **Rules of origin:** Broadly substantial transformation rules; product-specific rules in Annex ### UK-New Zealand FTA 31 May 2023 **Tech benefits:** Progressive tariff elimination over transition period for electronics and manufactured goods. **Rules of origin:** Broadly similar to UKAUSFTA; check product-specific rules ### Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) UK accession ratified; CPTPP in force for UK from 15 December 2024 **Tech benefits:** Access to preferential rates with 11 CPTPP members including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico. Critical for Asian-manufactured electronics supply chains. **Rules of origin:** CPTPP-specific rules of origin; cumulation provisions allow materials from CPTPP members to count toward origin ### UK Rollover Agreements (EU FTA equivalents) Various — most rolled over from January 2021 **Tech benefits:** UK replicated most EU FTAs including with Japan, South Korea, Canada, Singapore. Rates broadly equivalent to EU counterparts. **Rules of origin:** Generally same as original EU FTA rules — check UK-specific version of each agreement ### UK-India FTA (under negotiation as of 2025) Negotiations ongoing — not yet in force **Tech benefits:** Expected to deliver significant tariff reductions on electronics, machinery, and medical devices for UK importers and Indian exporters. **Rules of origin:** Not yet finalised — monitor DBTIS announcements ## How to claim FTA preference at UK customs 01 ### Confirm your product qualifies under the FTA rules of origin Rules of origin determine whether a product is sufficiently originating in a partner country to qualify for the preferential rate. Common tests: change of tariff heading, value-added threshold (typically 40–50% local content), or specific processing requirements. 02 ### Obtain origin documentation from your supplier You need proof of origin to claim preference at UK customs. Common forms: REX (Registered Exporter) statement on invoice, origin declaration, or a movement certificate (EUR.1 or equivalent). The specific document required depends on the FTA. 03 ### Declare preference at import on your customs entry Your customs entry (import declaration) must include the preference code and the origin document reference to claim the preferential duty rate. Your customs broker can include this in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) entry. 04 ### Keep documentation for HMRC audit HMRC can audit preference claims retrospectively. Keep supplier origin declarations, invoices, bills of lading, and all origin evidence for at least 4 years (longer is advisable). HMRC can issue retrospective duty demands if claims cannot be substantiated. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Start the course — $149](/courses/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products) ## Frequently asked questions ### How does CPTPP membership benefit UK electronics importers? CPTPP gives the UK preferential tariff access to major Asian electronics manufacturing economies: Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei. For supply chains where finished products or components originate in these countries, CPTPP preferential rates can reduce import duty costs compared to the UK Global Trade Tariff MFN rate. Cumulation provisions within CPTPP also allow materials from multiple CPTPP member countries to count toward origin thresholds, making it easier for complex electronics supply chains to qualify. ### What happens if I claim an FTA preference incorrectly? HMRC can raise a demand for the full duty owed plus interest if a preference claim is found to be incorrect — either because the goods do not genuinely originate in the partner country, or because the supporting documentation is inadequate. Penalties can also apply for negligent or deliberate incorrect claims. The risk is compounded if the supplier's origin declaration is incorrect and HMRC pursues the duty from the UK importer (who may not be able to recover from a foreign supplier). Always verify origin claims with suppliers before claiming. 🇬🇧 UK roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇬🇧 UK compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products) Related guides * [UK Global Trade TariffComplete guide to the UK Global Trade Tariff (UKGT) for electronics and hardware: how tariff rates work, key commodity codes fo…](/guides/uk-global-trade-tariff) * [UK Rules of OriginComplete guide to UK rules of origin for claiming preferential tariff rates: how wholly obtained and sufficient processing test…](/guides/uk-rules-of-origin) * [UK Import LicensingComplete guide to UK import licensing for technology and hardware: which goods require an import licence, dual-use export contr…](/guides/uk-import-licensing) * [Selling to the UK from the EU After BrexitComplete guide for EU-based companies selling to the UK after Brexit: customs duty and import VAT, UK product safety compliance…](/guides/uk-selling-from-eu) Educational resource only. FTA provisions and rules of origin are complex. Consult a customs broker or trade law adviser before making preference claims.