New Zealand exporters can now use the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, which removes tariffs on more than half of New Zealand’s exports to India.
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlighted that he launched talks in March 2025 and, by working harder and faster, concluded them in just nine months. That’s a record for India on a comprehensive trade agreement, and one of the highest-quality deals they’ve signed.
“Today, just 19 months after we started, it’s in force and working for exporters.”
From today, almost 57 per cent of New Zealand exports to India are tariff-free. That rises to 82 per cent over time. In total, tariffs will be removed or cut on 95 percent of current exports.
Key outcomes from today include:
- tariffs removed on sheep meat, wool and coal
- tariffs removed on more than 95 per cent of forestry and wood exports
- preferential quota access for apples, kiwifruit and milk albumins
A second round of tariff cuts follows on the 1st of January 2027.
“Our winemakers have been shut out of India by tariffs of 150 per cent. Those will now come down to 25 or 50 per cent over 10 years, and we will also now get the better access negotiated by the EU,” said McClay.
“India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and is forecast to reach NZD 12 trillion by 2030. Getting in early, on good terms, matters.”
He added that the gains go well beyond exports, reaching suppliers, local businesses and the towns that depend on them.
With the world economy so uncertain, the India Free Trade Agreement will help exporters diversify and grow, and it's a big step toward doubling the value of new exports in ten years.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is running a programme to help exporters use the agreement, with advice, market insights and connections in India.
More local news here
