GTRI Calls for Simplifying India's Customs Duty Slabs Ahead of Budget 2026

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has urged India to simplify its customs duty structure by reducing the actual number of duty slabs, beyond just adjusting basic customs duty (BCD) rates. Despite recent reforms lowering BCD slabs, numerous specific, mixed, and conditional duties persist, complicating the tariff system. This complexity affects sectors like alcoholic beverages, where varied tariffs and ongoing litigation hinder trade. GTRI emphasizes that consolidating all duties into transparent slabs could enhance ease of doing business, manufacturing, and export competitiveness amid global trade challenges.