India to Introduce 30-Day Duty Deferral for Eligible Manufacturer-Importers from March

Starting next month, eligible manufacturer-importers in India will be able to clear goods on the day of import and defer customs duty payments for up to 30 days. This duty deferral facility, announced in the 2026-27 Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aligns with benefits available to Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) and aims to improve liquidity and encourage accreditation under the Customs' trusted ecosystem. Currently, about 6,000 entities participate in this system, with 1,500 holding Tier 2 and Tier 3 AEO status.