India’s steel exporters get wider EU access even before FTA kicks in

A new 1.9-million-tonne country-specific quota, plus residual access, could allow India to ship up to 2.8 million tonnes of steel annually to the EU

India’s steel exporters could get significantly more duty-free access to the European Union (EU) than envisaged in the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), with a new quota regime covering up to 2.8 million tonnes of annual shipments even before the FTA takes effect.

India has secured a 1.9 million-tonne annual country-specific quota for steel exports to the EU, while exporters could access another 0.9 million tonnes through residual quotas on a first-come, first-served basis, a senior government official said.

Early access

Indian steel exporters have already started benefiting from the new quota regime, even though the wider India-EU FTA is not yet in force. The EU’s new steel import regime took effect on 1 July 2026, providing tariff-rate quotas for steel imports.

“FTA benefits for the steel sector have been frontloaded,” the official said, adding that Indian exporters had already started using the new regime.

Quota access, however, does not remove the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which continues to apply to steel even when shipments fall within the tariff-rate quota. CBAM effectively acts as a carbon levy on imports based on their embedded emissions. The bloc began its transitional phase in 2023, with the financial mechanism taking effect this year.

India is working with the EU to build domestic capacity for CBAM verification, including recognition of Indian verification agencies. The government is looking at at least 10 agencies, with six applications already submitted, and has asked for faster approvals so exporters can access verification agencies domestically rather than depend on a limited pool of overseas agencies.

India is also working on its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and discussing carbon pricing with the EU.

“CBAM is levied on everyone. If our exporters are competitive, it won’t make us uncompetitive,” the official said. The government is monitoring any expansion of CBAM to additional products.

Doubling exports

The government separately aims to double India’s exports to the EU over the next three to four years through the FTA, which is nearing implementation.

In FY26, India’s exports to the EU stood at $72.3912 billion, accounting for 16.40% of total exports, and falling 4.6% year-on-year.

“We can double our exports to the EU in the next three to four years,” the official said. The government plans to cover all EU member states through high-level delegations and business-to-business meetings by March 2027, with the aim of ensuring that the preferential market access secured under the FTA translates into higher shipments.

“We are ensuring the FTA is utilized when it comes into force,” the official said. Exporters have to increase their capacity, enhance exports and also comply with standards.

Negotiations on the India-EU FTA concluded on 27 January. The agreement is currently moving through the EU’s legal and approval process. The European Commission has submitted proposals to the EU Council concerning the signing and conclusion of the agreement.

The government expects European Parliament approval by March 2027, after which the pact would move towards operationalization, subject to completion of the remaining procedures.

About the Author

Harsh Kumar is a policy reporter at Mint (HT Media Group), where he covers the Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with key departments of the Ministry of Finance, including the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS). With over five years of experience in business and economic journalism, he has developed strong expertise in tracking policy developments and their wider economic impact.<br><br>He has previously worked with Business Standard, Moneycontrol, and Outlook Money, where he reported extensively on banking, financial services, and the broader economy. Over the years, he has built a reputation for delivering accurate, insightful, and impactful stories, supported by a keen eye for detail and a consistent track record of breaking exclusive news.<br><br>An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, Harsh closely follows regulatory changes and key economic trends shaping India’s financial and industrial landscape. His reporting aims to simplify complex policy issues for a wider audience while maintaining depth and credibility.<br><br>Outside of work, he enjoys tracking policy developments, finding scoops, and travelling, reflecting his curiosity about how economic decisions shape everyday life.