How the India-UK Free Trade Agreement Opens New Doors for Light Therapy Brands

On July 24, 2025, the governments of India and the United Kingdom signed a “historic” and “ambitious” Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to reshape economic ties between the two nations. Its goals are clear: reduce tariffs, ease business mobility, and double bilateral trade to US$120 billion by 2030.

For companies sourcing from India, this marks the start of a more efficient and cost-effective trade environment. For our partners at Light Tree Ventures (LTV), it creates an ideal moment to capitalise on our India-based manufacturing capabilities.

Key highlights of the India-UK FTA

• Tariff elimination: The UK has removed tariffs on 99% of Indian tariff lines; India will reduce or remove duties on 90% of UK tariff lines.
• Business mobility: Simplified processes for skilled professionals to work across both countries, benefiting sectors like healthcare and technology.
• Growth target: Annual bilateral trade is expected to increase by £25.5 billion (US$34.5 billion) in the short term, with a goal of doubling trade to US$120 billion by 2030.
• Sector coverage: Medical devices are among the UK sectors expected to see export growth to India, while India gains greater access for products in textiles, engineering, and more.
• Investment framework: Negotiations continue for a bilateral investment treaty to further strengthen economic ties.

Why this matters for LTV clients

LTV operates an ISO13485-certified factory in New Delhi, India, in addition to our European headquarters in The Hague. This means our partners can now ship India-produced devices to the UK with reduced or zero tariffs — directly improving landed cost and overall profitability.

By manufacturing in India, clients benefit from cost-effective production, skilled English-speaking teams, and competitive lead times, all backed by our strict quality control and compliance standards.

The benefits for your business

This new trade environment is more than just a policy change — it’s a practical opportunity for your brand to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and reach customers more quickly. Here’s how you can benefit:

Lower landed costs
Tariff reductions translate to immediate cost savings, enabling you to either increase your margins or pass competitive prices to your customers.

Faster market access
With smoother regulatory cooperation and streamlined mobility for skilled professionals, approvals and collaborations may move faster.

High-quality, compliant products
Our India-made devices meet UKCA requirements, removing common barriers to entering the UK market.

Light therapy opportunities under the FTA

The agreement specifically benefits medical and wellness sectors. Light therapy devices — whether for pain relief, skin rejuvenation, or recovery — fall directly within these high-growth categories.

For UK-based brands, this means you can:

• Launch products without the cost burden of high import duties.
• Scale faster by leveraging our ready-to-brand white label range.
• Develop unique devices through our private label service, fully customised to your market positioning.

Regulatory clarity and LTV expertise

Taking advantage of new trade benefits is only one side of the equation — ensuring your products comply with every relevant regulation is just as critical. Reduced tariffs don’t remove the need for compliance, and navigating these requirements can be complex without the right partner. That’s where our dedicated regulatory team comes in, guiding you through every stage so your product is ready for market without unnecessary delays.

We ensure your devices meet the required standards, including:

• UKCA marking for the UK market.
• CE marking for the EU (relevant for Northern Ireland and re-export into the EU).
• ISO13485 quality systems for medical device manufacturing.
• FDA clearance where applicable for US exports.
• And more!

By combining trade advantages with rock-solid compliance, our full-service approach helps your brand avoid costly missteps, build market trust, and maintain a competitive edge.

Partnering with LTV in this new trade landscape

The India-UK FTA creates a unique window for UK brands — and brands selling into the UK — to optimise sourcing, pricing, and delivery.

At LTV, we offer:

• Private label and white label manufacturing from our India facility.
• End-to-end services from R&D to final delivery.
• Logistics and fulfilment options for global distribution.
• Regulatory guidance to ensure smooth market entry.

Start your UK market expansion now

With tariffs reduced and the trade environment improving, there’s never been a better time to launch your next light therapy product from India.

Contact us today to explore how we can help you reach the UK market faster, at lower cost, and with the same uncompromising quality that defines every LTV device.

‍