Customs duty raised on electronic goods

The government has raised customs duty on various electronic products including mobile phones, microwave ovens and cameras to boost local manufacturing and create jobs.

The increase in customs duty will give local manufacturers a cost advantage over imports. The move will also help the government boost customs duty collection at a time when goods and services tax (GST) receipts have fallen below expectations.

The duty increase will not impact imports from countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, with which India has free trade agreements.

While it has been increased by 5 percentage points on items such as mobile phones, video recording devices, electricity meters and digital cameras, it has been raised by 10 percentage points on items like microwave ovens, lamps and lighting fixtures.