Customs Duty

The Customs department should accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics to reduce physical interface with trusted taxpayers, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said on Wednesday. Outlining 5 pillars for the Customs department to follow over the next decade, Chaturvedi said the CBIC intends to create a "unified, trusted taxpayer ecosystem" which records consistent compliance by businesses in GST, customs and other indirect tax payments. This would bring synergy across the indirect tax division. The CBIC chief also asked the customs department to handhold MSMEs and conduct outreach programmes so that small businesses can reap the benefits of customs deferred duty payment schemes like Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) and also the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO). Chaturvedi said technology should act as a "great enabler" for customs and the ambition should be to move towards a ...

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will conduct outreach programmes and handhold MSMEs to encourage them to opt for the Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) scheme, a senior official said on Wednesday. With less than 1,000 businesses opting for the EMI scheme since its launch on April 1, the CBIC, effective September 15, "substantially reduced" the data and documentation requirements for businesses who enrol under the scheme. "The scheme has not taken off the way we had envisaged. We will conduct outreach programmes on the benefits of the scheme and with simplified documentation, we hope the EMI scheme will gain greater acceptability," an official said. The 2026-27 Union Budget had introduced a new facilitation measure for trusted manufacturers by enabling the facility of deferred payment of Customs duty to a new category of importers called Eligible Manufacturer Importers (EMIs). Under this, EMIs would be able to clear imported goods without paying Customs duty

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

The government has waived basic customs duty on goods used in manufacture of display assemblies, lithium ion cell and inductor coil module as it looks to promote domestic production of electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, wearables and smart TVs. The finance ministry issued three separate notifications giving effect to the basic customs duty (BCD) waiver on the goods used in manufacture of the three key components used in electronic devices. This exemption is in line with the government's efforts to promote domestic electronics manufacturing under the PLI scheme. The duty waiver would reduce import dependence and strengthen the electronics ecosystem with local production. This exemption would be valid till March 31, 2029, the notifications said.

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

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

The government is likely to take a call on extending import duty exemption on about 40 products beyond June 30, after analysing the evolving situation in West Asia and associated revenue implications, an official said on Thursday. To safeguard the domestic industry from supply chain disruptions, the government in a "temporary and targeted relief" had exempted import of critical petrochemical products from customs duty effective April 2. Customs duty was cut to 'nil' across 40 different products, including Anhydrous Ammonia, Toluene, Styrene, Vinyl chloride monomer, and others. The duty exemption, which is valid till June 30, was intended to benefit sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock and intermediates such as plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive components, other manufacturing segments. Officials said associated revenue consideration will have to be considered while deciding on whether the import duty exemption would be extended. "A decisi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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