India notified the first customs duty cuts for New Zealand imports starting October 20. The deal covers wine, manuka honey, kiwi fruit, and sheep meat. While many goods got lower rates, the government kept dairy and sensitive sectors out. This move allows calibrated access while protecting local farmers and producers.
India has notified the first set of customs duty concessions for imports from New Zealand under their free trade agreement, effective October 20. The preferential rates cover products such as wine, manuka honey, kiwi fruit and sheep meat, with limited quantities of select goods allowed under tariff-rate quotas and dairy and other sensitive sectors excluded.
India has notified the first set of customs duty concessions for imports from New Zealand under the two countries' free trade agreement (FTA), with preferential rates for products including wine, manuka honey, kiwi fruit and sheep meat set to take effect from October 20.
The Finance Ministry notification specifies revised basic customs duty (BCD) and cess rates for selected imports. It also provides for tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), allowing specified quantities of certain products to enter India under preferential terms.
The concessions are subject to product-specific conditions, including compliance with applicable requirements and the submission of proof that the goods originate in New Zealand.
The move provides calibrated access to selected New Zealand imports while maintaining protections for India's sensitive sectors. Dairy products and key agricultural items remain excluded from the concessions.
The notification marks the first set of customs duty concessions under the India-New Zealand FTA, setting out the products eligible for preferential treatment and the conditions governing their imports.