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What is Customs duty

Customs duty

About Customs duty

What is Customs duty

Customs duty refers to the tax imposed on goods when they are transported across international borders. In simple terms, it is the tax that is levied on import and export of goods. The government uses this duty to raise its revenues, safeguard domestic industries, and regulate movement of goods.
 
The rate of Customs duty varies depending on where the goods were made and what they were made of.
 
Custom duty in India is defined under the Customs Act, 1962, and all matters related to it fall under the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).

The Budget estimate of the government's
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Latest Updates on Customs duty

Tariff on most items to be in single digits in FY28 Budget: FM Sitharaman

The government aims to bring customs duty on most items to single-digit rates by the FY28 Budget while continuing tariff rationalisation and asset-focused borrowing

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Updated On : 06 Aug 2026 | 11:02 PM IST

SME chatroom: Clearing doubts on deferred Customs duty and PVC import curbs

Key compliance clarifications on using RoDTEP scrips for deferred customs duty and MIP rules for PVC imports under the Advance Authorisation scheme.

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Updated On : 03 Aug 2026 | 11:58 PM IST

1991 reforms trusted mkts; now RBI should trust exporters and importers

The government responded to a grave foreign exchange crisis by progressively liberalising, rather than perpetuating restrictions on access to foreign exchange and imports

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Updated On : 26 Jul 2026 | 11:50 PM IST

Industry urges Centre to allow depreciation benefit on imported machinery

Industry bodies have sought depreciation benefits on imported machinery under the MOOWR scheme and eligibility for RoDTEP, saying the current framework raises costs for manufacturers

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Updated On : 20 Jul 2026 | 9:04 PM IST

Downstream aluminium bodies seek lower import duty on primary aluminium

Industry associations say the current duty structure has enabled import-parity pricing by domestic producers, raising input costs and squeezing the profitability of downstream MSMEs.

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Updated On : 16 Jul 2026 | 11:21 PM IST

Boosting manufacturing: Lower import barriers will increase exports

While the decision on duty exemption must be welcomed, the end date underlines India's inherent reluctance in liberalising imports

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Updated On : 12 Jul 2026 | 10:35 PM IST

Centre waives Customs duty on charger parts and battery machinery

Duty exemptions on display assembly and wireless charging components, along with expanded relief for lithium-ion cell machinery, aim to boost domestic manufacturing and value addition

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Updated On : 09 Jul 2026 | 11:38 PM IST

Govt waives basic customs duty on key electronics manufacturing components

Exemption on inputs used to make display assemblies, lithium-ion cells and inductor coil modules is to boost domestic manufacturing under PLI scheme and will remain in force till March 31, 2029

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Updated On : 09 Jul 2026 | 11:21 AM IST

Customs duty exemption on key petrochemical imports extended till July 15

The extension, prompted by supply-chain disruptions arising from the West Asia conflict, will continue to provide relief to industries dependent on critical petrochemical imports

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Updated On : 30 Jun 2026 | 6:15 PM IST

Gold imports slump after duty increase, May volumes at 25-30 tonnes

Monthly gold imports have declined to 25-30 tonnes from 70-80 tonnes, while recycling of old jewellery has increased following the recent hike in import duties

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Updated On : 18 Jun 2026 | 11:30 PM IST

Govt weighs extending zero-duty import on 40 products beyond June 30

Officials said associated revenue consideration will have to be considered while deciding on whether the import duty exemption would be extended

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Updated On : 18 Jun 2026 | 2:01 PM IST

Govt offers retrospective tax relief for nuclear power equipment imports

The exemption covers specified goods imported for nuclear power generation under designated customs tariff categories

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Updated On : 12 Jun 2026 | 10:48 AM IST

Govt exempts import duty on cotton for five months till October 30

The Centre has exempted cotton imports from customs duty and AIDC till October 31, aiming to improve domestic availability and lower raw material costs for textile manufacturers

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Updated On : 30 May 2026 | 4:57 PM IST

Indian banks resume gold, silver imports after month-long halt over 3% levy

The resumption is expected to boost the country's gold imports, widen ‌the trade deficit and put more pressure on the rupee, which is among Asia's worst-performing currencies this year

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Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 2:56 PM IST

Customs duty cut fails to lift plastic sector as input costs remain high

Industry says duty exemption on petrochemical imports has had limited impact as raw material prices stay elevated, demand weakens, and MSMEs face mounting stress

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Updated On : 06 Apr 2026 | 8:22 PM IST

Duty concessions to SEZ for DTA clearances likely to find few takers

Modest duty cuts and complex conditions may limit SEZ units' appetite for concessional DTA clearances despite the government's intent to boost capacity use

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Updated On : 05 Apr 2026 | 10:33 PM IST

Petchem import duty waiver to cost govt ₹1,800 crore in 3 months

The exemption on a wide range of critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, is a temporary and targeted relief to shield domestic manufacturers from disruptions caused by the Iran war

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Updated On : 02 Apr 2026 | 11:11 PM IST

Medtech, pharma welcome duty relief, seek GST cuts on key inputs

Industry welcomes customs duty exemption on petrochemicals but urges GST relief on inputs and faster refunds to ease cost pressures amid West Asia disruptions

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Updated On : 02 Apr 2026 | 7:40 PM IST

Customs seeks ₹23.52 cr from Voltas over alleged import misclassification

As per the order, there was 'mis-classification of certain imported goods pertaining to the period from 14th June, 2019 to 21st July, 2022'

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Updated On : 30 Mar 2026 | 2:34 PM IST

Businesses can pay customs duty via UPI, cards on ICEGATE portal: CBIC

The CBIC in a circular said ICEGATE e-Payment platform has enabled 'Payment Aggregator' as an authorised mode to facilitate customs duty payment

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Updated On : 25 Mar 2026 | 7:37 PM IST