Does wooden office cabinetware qualify for India–UAE CEPA?

Yes, if it meets the Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule "CTH + VA 40% (CEPA Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule; tariff-shift AND value addition both required).": it must BOTH change tariff classification (CTH) AND add at least 40% regional value content — both conditions are required, not either/or.

What proof is needed at import?

A preferential Certificate of Origin filed through eCoO 2.0, presented at customs before clearance. Without it, the 20% MFN duty applies.

Rules of Origin for wooden office cabinetware — Dubai (UAE) to India

HS 94033010 · OTHER FURNITURE AND PARTS THEREOF · Rules of Origin & preferential rate

Data last updated: 1 September 2026 · MFN duty & IGST verified against ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI). Rules of Origin per CEPA Annex 3B. Verify your exact HS line before filing.

CEPA eligible: Yes
Value addition (RVC): 40%
Tariff-classification change: CTH Annex 3B rule set at chapter level — it covers the whole chapter, not this code alone
MFN → CEPA basic duty: 20% → 12.5%

Rule of Origin (CEPA Annex 3B, primary source): CTH + VA 40% (CEPA Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule; tariff-shift AND value addition both required).

Qualifying under the Rules of Origin

To claim the CEPA preference on wooden office cabinetware (HS 94033010), the goods must qualify as UAE-originating. The Product-Specific Rule (Annex 3B) is "CTH + VA 40% (CEPA Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule; tariff-shift AND value addition both required)": the goods must undergo a change of tariff heading (CTH) AND add at least 40% regional value content — both conditions, not either/or. Read that rule for what it is: Annex 3B supplies it at chapter level, so it governs hundreds of eight-digit codes rather than this one. It is the correct rule to apply, and it is also the place to check for a more specific carve-out before committing to a claim. Wooden office cabinetware gets a partial reduction under CEPA to a floor the rate reaches and holds — the same treatment India gave wooden furniture generally, protecting a large domestic manufacturing base. It does not reach zero, so a contract priced on eventual duty-free entry misreads the schedule. IGST is 18%. Origin is a change of heading plus 40% value addition, met where a UAE plant converts imported boards and panels into finished cabinets. Wooden goods bring a second layer that often costs more than the residual duty: consignments with solid wood components may require a phytosanitary certificate, and wooden packaging must carry ISPM-15 marking regardless of what it contains. Budget for fumigation delays on a container of cabinets. A valid Certificate of Origin filed through the eCoO 2.0 system must accompany the shipment; without it, customs charges the 20% MFN rate instead of the preference.

Check your own figures in the Rules of Origin (RVC) qualifier. Qualifying is only half of it — the preference is claimed with a Certificate of Origin, issued in the UAE before shipment or retrospectively within 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

Does wooden office cabinetware qualify for India–UAE CEPA?: Yes, if it meets the Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule "CTH + VA 40% (CEPA Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule; tariff-shift AND value addition both required).": it must BOTH change tariff classification (CTH) AND add at least 40% regional value content — both conditions are required, not either/or.
What is the Rule of Origin for wooden office cabinetware?: Per CEPA Annex 3B: CTH + VA 40% (CEPA Annex 3B Product-Specific Rule; tariff-shift AND value addition both required).. RVC% = [(FOB − value of non-originating materials) / FOB] × 100 (FOB basis).
What proof is needed at import?: A preferential Certificate of Origin filed through eCoO 2.0, presented at customs before clearance. Without it, the 20% MFN duty applies.