No FTA — but GSP makes a real difference
Unlike the EU's agreements with South Korea, Japan or Vietnam, there is no free trade agreement in force between the EU and India. Trade between the two takes place under MFN (Most Favoured Nation) rates — the standard WTO tariff schedule, which means duties can be meaningful depending on the product.
What partially compensates for this is the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). India qualifies under the standard GSP tier, which reduces the applicable tariff on many product categories. For textiles and garments — one of the most significant categories of Indian exports to Spain — the GSP can bring duties down substantially or to zero for some sub-headings.
The GSP benefit is not automatic. The goods must genuinely originate in India, and your Indian supplier must provide a valid origin document. Without it, full MFN tariff rates apply at customs in Spain — there is no retroactive correction once the goods are cleared.
Duties by product category
| Product category | MFN rate (approx.) | With GSP |
|---|---|---|
| Textiles and garments | 8% – 12% | Reduced or 0% for many codes |
| Pharmaceuticals | 0% – 6.5% | Often 0% |
| Chemicals | 3% – 6.5% | Reduced |
| Engineering goods / machinery | 0% – 4.5% | Often same or 0% |
| Gems and jewellery | 2.5% – 4% | Reduced |
| Leather and footwear | 3% – 17% | Reduced |
These are approximate ranges. The exact duty for your goods depends on the specific 10-digit HS tariff code — and that code also determines whether any anti-dumping measure applies. Always confirm before you commit to a supplier price.
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What your Indian supplier needs to provide
For customs clearance in Spain and to benefit from GSP rates, the Indian exporter must provide:
- Commercial invoice — in a hard currency (USD or EUR), with HS code, declared value and Incoterm
- Packing list — gross and net weights, dimensions, number of packages
- Bill of lading or airway bill — depending on transport mode
- GSP origin document — either a Certificate of Origin Form A issued by the Chamber of Commerce or customs in India, or a REX Statement on Origin if your supplier is registered in the EU's REX system
The GSP document is the one that most Spanish importers fail to request in advance. By the time the cargo arrives at the port, it is too late to obtain it retroactively — the certificate must be issued before or at the time of export.
Anti-dumping: check before you order
The EU has active anti-dumping (ADD) or anti-subsidy (CVD) measures on several categories of Indian goods. These are applied on top of the regular import duty and can significantly increase the landed cost. Categories historically subject to measures include certain steel products (stainless steel, wire rod, fasteners), some fertilizers and chemicals, and a number of other industrial inputs.
Before placing a large first order from an Indian supplier, check the EU's TARIC database for the specific HS code. If an ADD measure exists, factor it into your landed cost calculation from the start.
How customs clearance works in Spain
Sea freight from India arrives primarily at Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. Air freight comes into Madrid-Barajas or Barcelona-El Prat. In all cases, customs clearance is handled through the DUA (Documento Único Aduanero), filed by a licensed Spanish customs agent.
For more on how the process works end to end, see our guides on customs clearance in Spain and Spain import duties and VAT. If you do not yet have an EORI number, you will need one before your first import — our EORI number Spain guide explains how to get one.
