Centre notifies customs tariff cuts under RoDTEP scheme to help export sector

New Delhi, April 30 The Department of Commerce on Thursday notified the revised schedules under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme as part of the strategy to help the country’s export sector amid global disruptions due to the Middle East conflict.

The revisions pertain to DTA exports and for exports by Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units, in line with amendments made in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, through the Finance Act, 2026.

The notification provides for the technical alignment of RoDTEP tariff lines with the revised Customs tariff structure. The revision covers 194 tariff lines, including the addition of 142 new 8-digit tariff lines, deletion of 50 tariff lines, and modification in the descriptions of two tariff lines in the RoDTEP schedules.

The revised schedules will enable seamless implementation of RoDTEP benefits in the Customs Automated System with effect from May 1. The alignment is expected to reduce classification-related ambiguity, ensure consistency between Customs tariff entries and RoDTEP schedules and facilitate smoother processing of eligible export claims, according to an official statement issued by the Department of Commerce.

The measure is RoDTEP-specific and is aimed at improving ease of doing business for exporters by ensuring timely convergence of related compliance frameworks, minimising system-level discrepancies and maintaining continuity in the remission of eligible duties, taxes and levies on exported products, the statement explained.

The Centre has rolled out a series of relief measures aimed at shielding Indian industry and consumers from the adverse economic impact of the West Asia war, which has disrupted supply chains and hit exports.

The Finance Ministry has outlined steps spanning customs duty cuts for key raw materials, export incentives, fuel price controls, and financial support mechanisms, with a focus on ensuring stability across key sectors.

The government has allowed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units to sell goods in the domestic market at concessional customs duty rates. Earlier, such sales attracted full import-equivalent duties, which have now been reduced to approximately 5 to 12.5 per cent to support manufacturing units.

Customs duties on critical petrochemical products have also been reduced in a targeted move to offset supply disruptions due to the West Asia conflict. The relief is expected to benefit sectors including plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and auto components.

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