India’s existing customs duty exemption on cotton imports, which was available until October 31, 2026, has been extended by two months to December 31, 2026, the Ministry of Textiles announced on October 31, through Notification No. 35/2026-Customs dated October 30 from the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The government said the aim is to increase cotton availability for the domestic textile industry, meet specialised cotton requirements, and promote value addition across the textile and apparel value chain. It expects the extension to give manufacturers more flexibility on raw materials, reduce cost pressures, support micro, small and medium enterprises, and strengthen the competitiveness of Indian textile products at home and abroad.
India extends cotton import duty exemption to December
India has extended its existing customs duty exemption on cotton imports by two months, to December 31, 2026, under a finance ministry notification dated October 30, the government said on October 31.
Why it matters: The exemption was due to lapse on October 31, so the extension keeps duty free raw cotton flowing to India's textile and apparel makers through the year end, easing cost pressure on mills and small manufacturers competing in export markets.
Data as of Press Information Bureau release of October 31, 2026 (release ID 2330875), read in full in Hindi in this run. Every figure is the release's own: the extension is made by Notification No. 35/2026-Customs dated October 30, 2026, from the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The release states no duty rate, quota or other condition, only that the existing exemption continues. Developing item.
Sources
- Government of India has extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports up to 31 December 2026 - Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, in Hindi - 2026-10-31