At Tree Tile, we don’t just sell tiles — we shape spaces. As one of India’s trusted ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturers, we’ve spent years supplying high-quality, design-driven tiles to homes, businesses, and projects across the globe. Our expertise isn’t just in production — it’s in understanding what our customers truly need, from durable outdoor pavers to statement-making large-format slabs. Recognized by the Government of India with the prestigious One-Star Export House status, Tree Tile has earned its place as a reliable, world-class exporter — a mark of excellence that few in our industry achieve. What makes us different? We combine cutting-edge manufacturing, trend-forward design, and transparent business practices to ensure every order — whether for a UK retailer or a global architect — is delivered on time, on budget, and beyond expectations. In this article, we bring you our perspective as tile experts on how the UK–India Trade Deal opens up new possibilities for the tiles industry — and how Tree Tile is ready to lead the way.
Reference: India official Government Site Press Release Note
Table of contents
- Why You Deserve a Fresh Story about Tiles and Trade | A Quick Thought Before We Dive In
- Quick Facts: What’s the UK-India Trade Deal in a Nutshell?
- Old vs New: UK-India Trade Deal Impact Table for Tile Exporters & Importers
- Why Tiles? A Trade Deal with a Surface-Level Impact…and Much More
- 5 Good News for UK Tiles Importer Businesses—And How the New Deal / Agreement Helps Them
- Tree Tile’s Edge: How We’re Prepared for the New India and UK Trade Era
- Real Numbers: What Opportunities Might the Deal Unlock?
- Simple Step-by-Step: How Tree Tile Helps New UK Customers Under the Deal
- What Should UK Distributors and Designers Do Now?
- “Ask Us Anything”: Tree Tile’s Open Door for Honest Tile Trade Advice
- Myth vs. Fact on UK-India Tiles Trade
Why You Deserve a Fresh Story about Tiles and Trade | A Quick Thought Before We Dive In
Most tile industry articles repeat old facts or drown you in jargon. But you—whether you run a business, design spaces, or source tiles—need clear, straight-talking insights that actually help your decisions. At Tree Tile, we see the UK-India trade deal not as just another headline, but as a pivotal moment with real impacts for people in our industry.
Here’s our promise:
This article will tackle the genuine questions:
What’s actually changed for tile businesses?
How does this help or challenge you—right now?
What do you need to do to benefit (without risk or confusion)?
We believe in giving you answers you can act on. Let’s get going with the facts and insights you genuinely need—no recycled content, just true, practical knowledge for the real tile trade community.
Quick Facts: What’s the UK-India Trade Deal in a Nutshell?
Signed: July 24, 2025 — a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom.
Trade Target: Bilateral trade set to double, reaching US$120 billion by 2030.
Tariffs Slashed:
India’s tariffs on UK goods: Average rates down from 15% to 3% for most items, with automotive tariffs cut to 10% (quota-based); machinery/tools benefit too.
UK tariffs on Indian goods: Zero duty on 99% of exports — includes ceramics/tiles, textiles, footwear, jewelry, auto parts, and machinery.
Notable Reductions: Textiles, processed foods now zero-duty. Whisky and gin tariffs on India drop from 150% to 75% immediately, then 40% in ten years.
Paperwork & Customs Made Easy:
Simplified customs and paperwork — paperless, digital documentation.
Duty suspension and periodic payments for qualified traders.
UK and India commit to clearing goods within 48 hours for eligible businesses.
Trade Speed: Faster clearance, transparency, and streamlined paperwork make trading tiles smoother than ever.
Service Sector: Contractual service suppliers, IT, financial and engineering services get enhanced cross-border mobility and market access.
Old vs New: UK-India Trade Deal Impact Table for Tile Exporters & Importers
| Factor | Before Trade Deal (Old) | After Trade Deal (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs (Tiles/Ceramics) | High (average 15% on UK imports, up to 28% on Indian tiles) | Zero duty on 99% of Indian tile exports to UK |
| Customs Clearance | Slow — paperwork-heavy; delays up to 7-10 days | Fast — digital, streamlined; cleared within 48 hours for eligible traders |
| Documentation | Complex, mostly manual paperwork | Paperless; all customs/trade docs go digital |
| Market Access | Restricted for many Indian tile makers | Wider access, easier compliance for Indian/UK businesses |
| Trade Volume | Moderate, affected by costs/delays | Expected to rise, potentially doubling by 2030 |
| Quality Certifications | Often double/overlapping requirements | Harmonized standards — UK and India recognize each other’s certifications for most ceramics |
| Opportunity Outlook | Limited growth for small/medium exporters | Major growth in tile exports, more UK design projects use Indian tiles |
Why Tiles? A Trade Deal with a Surface-Level Impact…and Much More
Historic Exports and Growing Market Importance
India has been a key exporter of ceramic tiles to the UK for several years, with exports nearly doubling in the last 4-5 years to around $120 million in 2024. The UK market is vital for Indian ceramic exporters, especially from Gujarat’s Morbi region, which hosts over 800 ceramic manufacturing units. The trade deal marks a transformative milestone by granting duty-free access on Indian ceramic products to the UK, providing a competitive edge and opening the door to further growth and diversified opportunities.
Indian Manufacturing Strengths
Indian tile manufacturing benefits from advanced technologies such as digital printing, nano-coating, producing high-quality, durable products. India dominates with a vast range of tiles including porcelain slabs, wall and floor tiles, and quartz products. Competitive pricing due to lower production costs compared to Europe and North America is a key advantage. Sustainability is another focus, with many manufacturers adopting eco-friendly processes and energy-efficient operations.
British Design Demand
The UK construction and interior design sectors demand innovative, high-quality tiles that combine durability with varied aesthetics. Indian tiles, especially porcelain and ceramic types, cater to diverse design preferences — from classic marble looks to modern textured or wood finishes. The free trade agreement eases market access, helping British designers and distributors source competitively priced yet premium tiles, meeting rising architectural and renovation needs.
Types of Tiles Mostly Traded
Porcelain tiles (highly durable, moisture resistant)
Ceramic floor and wall tiles
Quartz and porcelain slabs
Roofing tiles (ceramic)
Specialty decorative and designer tiles
Key UK Import/Export Numbers Relevant to Tiles
Indian ceramic tile exports to the UK reached nearly $120 million in 2024.
The UK ceramic tile market was valued close to $771 million in 2024, with imports from India, Spain, Italy as leading sources.
Imports of roofing tiles and ceramic tiles rose by over 20% year-on-year, reflecting strong demand growth.
UK imports tiles primarily under HSN code 6907 (tiles with specific water absorption characteristics) with growing shipment volumes.
5 Good News for UK Tiles Importer Businesses—And How the New Deal / Agreement Helps Them
Significantly Reduced Import Tariffs
UK importers now enjoy zero customs duties on 99% of Indian tile exports, down from previous tariffs as high as 28%. This major cost reduction means tiles from India become much more competitively priced in the UK market, improving profit margins and pricing flexibility.
Faster and Streamlined Customs Clearance
The agreement includes commitments to clear eligible shipments within 48 hours using digital, paperless documentation. This slashes the previous delays of 7-10 days caused by paperwork and manual customs processing, helping importers get their tiles to market faster and reduce inventory holding costs.
Simplified Compliance and Certification
UK and Indian regulatory bodies now mutually recognize most ceramics and tile quality certifications. This eliminates the need for double-testing or re-certifying tiles, making it easier and cheaper for importers to bring Indian tiles to the UK market with confidence in quality standards.
Expanded Market Access and Variety
With tariff barriers lowered and customs simplified, UK importers gain access to a wider range of tile products from India—including porcelain, ceramic and decorative tiles. This variety allows importers to better meet diverse UK consumer and design preferences, driving sales growth.
Better Trade Partnership Stability and Transparency
The deal fosters closer UK-India trade relations with clear rules and commitments, reducing uncertainties around tariffs and regulatory changes. This creates a more stable environment for importers, enabling more confident planning, investment, and long-term relationships with Indian suppliers like Tree Tile.
Tree Tile’s Edge: How We’re Prepared for the New India and UK Trade Era
Offering dedicated trade advisory support to help UK customers understand tariff benefits and compliance.
Maintaining well-planned inventory buffers from our own manufacturing facilities to ensure predictable lead times, even amid changing market dynamics.
Establishing faster communication channels for order tracking and post-delivery support.
Proactively sharing updates on trade policies, certifications, and logistics enhancements so clients stay informed and ready to capitalize on opportunities.
Real Numbers: What Opportunities Might the Deal Unlock?
Estimated Growth in Indian Tile Exports to the UK
Indian ceramic tile exports to the UK have surged significantly in recent years, reaching nearly $120 million in 2024.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement grants zero-duty access on 99% of Indian tile exports, which is expected to provide a competitive price advantage, stimulate demand, and encourage further export growth.
Although Indian tile export volumes slightly declined in 2024 due to global market factors, the trade deal is poised to reverse this trend and fuel medium to long-term growth, potentially doubling exports by 2030 according to government targets and industry optimism.
Expected Rise in UK Demand for Tiles
The UK ceramic tiles market was valued at approximately $1.11 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a steady CAGR of about 2.9% to 3.6% over 2025-2030, reaching around $1.32 billion by 2030.
Demand is driven by persistent housing renovations, new construction projects, and rising investments in infrastructure across the UK.
Key design trends influencing demand include a preference for natural effect porcelain tiles, eco-friendly sustainable products, and innovative digital printing technologies offering aesthetic variety.
Potential Job Creation in Both Countries
The UK-India trade deal is forecast to generate over 2,200 new jobs in the UK, supporting manufacturing, distribution, and related service sectors.
The deal is also expected to add about £4.8 billion annually to the UK GDP, with a wage uplift worth around £2.2 billion.
In India, labor-intensive sectors like ceramics and textiles are expected to create significant employment opportunities, contributing to economic stability for a young and growing workforce.
Simple Step-by-Step: How Tree Tile Helps New UK Customers Under the Deal
Inquire: Start by reaching out through our website. Our experienced trade advisors promptly answer all your questions about product ranges, trade benefits under the UK-India agreement, and pricing. We provide clear guidance to help you understand how the deal impacts your tile sourcing.
Sample: We believe seeing is believing. Once you specify your preferred tile types or designs, we provide high-quality physical samples swiftly. This lets you assess the finish, durability, and style firsthand before committing—critical for designers and distributors who demand precise match and quality.
Quote: After sample approval, we prepare a transparent, detailed quote outlining costs, including preferential tariff advantages, shipping timelines, and any custom specifications. Our quotes reflect the cost savings from zero-duty tariffs and simplified customs, passing real value to you.
Order: Placing an order is simple with our user-friendly platform and personalized support. We handle all paperwork digitally, ensuring that all trade documentation complies with the latest UK and India customs protocols. This minimizes processing delays and simplifies cross-border transactions.
Delivery: Your tiles are carefully packed and dispatched via trusted logistics partners. Thanks to streamlined customs clearance commitments under the trade deal, shipments typically clear UK ports within 48 hours, reducing waiting times. Our team provides tracking updates and prompt post-delivery support for your peace of mind.
Customer Support & Post-Delivery Guarantees
Tree Tile is with you every step of the way. Our customer support team is available for ongoing assistance—from order updates to product inquiries. We stand behind our product quality with robust guarantees, ensuring satisfaction and quick resolution of any issues post-delivery. Our commitment to clear, honest communication and efficient service distinguishes us in the market.
What Should UK Distributors and Designers Do Now?
Check Tariff Savings – Confirm your products qualify for zero-duty under the deal.
Ensure Compliance – Work with suppliers who meet UK quality standards and provide proper documentation.
Expand Offerings – Use cost savings to explore premium, eco-friendly, and custom tile options.
Move Fast – Early movers secure better pricing, priority supply, and stronger supplier relations.
Tree Tile’s Advice: “Don’t wait for the market to catch on—those who act now will enjoy higher margins, unique products, and a solid competitive edge.”
“Ask Us Anything”: Tree Tile’s Open Door for Honest Tile Trade Advice
At Tree Tile, we believe the Free Trade Deal with India isn’t just a political headline — it’s a real, practical change for businesses like yours. The new trade between the UK and India means faster shipping, lower costs, and better access to premium tiles. With the India–UK free trade agreement in place, trade with India has never been more straightforward.
And we’re not afraid of comparisons. Whether you’re weighing us against other suppliers or simply exploring new business opportunities in India, we invite you to see how our transparency, quality, and customer service set us apart. After all, India is the world’s biggest hub for ceramic tile production — but Tree Tile adds something rare: a partnership you can rely on.
This deal will create fresh paths for growth, and we’re here to help you navigate them. So, ask us anything — about sourcing, pricing, logistics. Our door (and inbox) is always open, and we’re ready to share the insights that make your business stronger.
Contact Tree Tile – Let’s Talk Trade & Tiles
Whether you’re planning your next big project or exploring the benefits of the India–UK free trade agreement, we’re here to help you make informed choices.
Honest answers to your tile trade questions
Transparent pricing & reliable export timelines
Email us: export@treetile.in
Call us: +91-97128 04400
Visit: https://treetile.in
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Myth vs. Fact on UK-India Tiles Trade
Myth: The trade deal will immediately eliminate all export challenges.
Fact: Some logistics and regulatory issues remain despite tariff cuts.
Myth: Tariffs on all tile categories are zero now.
Fact: 99% of tiles have zero duties, but a few sensitive categories still apply.
Myth: Tree Tile is just another supplier.
Fact: Tree Tile is an award-winning 1 Star Exporter with advanced sourcing and custom solutions.
