Skip to Content

Swiss Wine India. A 10-Year Window Start Now.

The India–EFTA Trade Agreement (TEPA) gives Swiss wine a structural advantage in the world’s fastest-growing premium wine market.

Swiss Wine India turns this advantage into real market access.

Join the Initiative

"The real work starts now - but the foundation is strong."

 Raffaela Gialdi
CEO of Gialdi Vini SA

Why Swiss Wine India Exists

India has long been an attractive but difficult market for Swiss winemakers. High import duties, fragmented state regulations, unreliable importer structures, and lack of brand control have historically made market entry risky and uneconomical.

The India–EFTA Trade Agreement (TEPA) fundamentally changes the economics.

But tariff reductions alone do not create sales.

Swiss Wine India exists to bridge this gap — converting a policy advantage into a functioning, premium export channel that Swiss winemakers can trust.

India Is Not a Volume Market. It's a Premium Market.

Swiss wine is not designed for mass retail or price competition. India’s opportunity lies in its premium hospitality sector:

01

5-star hotels and luxery resorts

02

Fine-dining restaurants

03

Private members' club

04

High-end gifting and curated retail

Indian buyers value story, scarcity, origin, and reliability exactly where Swiss wine excels.

What TEPA Changes for Swiss Wine

TEPA reduces the effective customs duty on Swiss wine over a 10-year period. The benefit is strongest for quality and premium wines — exactly where Switzerland competes.

This creates a time-bound competitive window in which Swiss wine can enter India at structurally better economics than global competitors.


TEPA Appendix 2.C.3 – Wine HS 2204


TEPA Effective Customs Duty Reduction by CIF Category (10-Year Schedule) for HS 2204

CIF Value (USD per 750ml) 

TEPA reduces the Effective Customs Duty (Base Rate), which is composed of BCD + AIDC + applicable cesses. 'Base Rate' refers to the composite customs duty under India's tariff schedule. State excise, VAT, and other state-level levies are not affected by TEPA.

Swiss Wine India - A Flagship TEPA Initative

Swiss Wine India is the first sector-specific initiative under TEPA.swiss.
It is designed to establish Swiss wine as a recognized premium category in India — sustainably, transparently, and with full brand protection.

This initative serves as:

A market entry framework

Swiss Wine India provides a structured and phased pathway for Swiss wineries to enter the Indian market with reduced risk and clear commercial logic.

A governance layer

The initiative establishes clear rules, roles, and safeguards to ensure regulatory compliance, brand protection, and long-term market integrity.

A proof-of-concept for future Swiss food & beverage export

Swiss Wine India validates a scalable export model for future Swiss food and beverage exports.

A Structured Path to Market


EXPLORE - Market Validation & Foundation Building



85%

The Explore phase focuses on validating market demand, testing positioning with key buyers, and establishing the regulatory, operational, and partnership foundations required for a sustainable market entry.

Explore 2025

  • Market tastings & validation
  • Swiss Wine Pavilion at Prowine Mumbai
  • Alpha shipments
  • Sommelier & buyer feedback

Completing in January 2026

85%

Exploit 2026

  • First commercial imports
  • Hotel & fine-dining listings
  • Education-led activation
  • Recurring reorder cycles

in Progress

Scale 2027+

  • City exspansion
  • Portfolio deepening
  • TEPA duty benefits compounding

Planned

What Participating Winemakers Receive

We handle

Essential tools for your success.

Import-of-record & licensing

We act as the licensed importer in India, removing the need for you to establish a local legal presence.

Label & regulatory compliance

All Indian regulatory, labeling, and approval requirements are managed centrally and kept up to date.

Consolidated logistics & cold chain

Shipments are consolidated and handled through controlled logistics to ensure quality, efficiency, and cost discipline.

Market access to premium HoReCa

We provide structured access to selected five-star hotels, fine dining, and premium hospitality partners.

Pricing corridors & brand governance

Clear pricing frameworks and governance rules protect your positioning and prevent brand dilution.

You keep

Everything you need to get started.

Control over brand positioning

You retain full authority over how your wines are positioned, presented, and represented in the market.

Transparancy on buyers & performance

You receive visibility into buyers, placements, feedback, and performance data.

Exit flexibility

Participation remains flexible, with clear exit options and no long-term lock-in commitments.

Strategic optionality

You decide if, when, and how to scale — including portfolio expansion or market adjustments.

No volume pressure. No dumping. No lock-in.

Participation is phased and designed for sustainable, long-term market development.

What Has Already Been Achived

Analyzing the numbers behind our success:
an in-depth look at the key metrics driving our initative's achievements

5
Events hosted in 
Mumbai & Dehli

10
Swiss Winemakers
showcased

54
Swiss Wines 
presented

Partners and references

Use this section to boost your company's credibility.

See our case studies