NEW DELHI, Feb 1: In the Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced targeted customs duty changes to support healthcare, strategic sectors, and domestic manufacturing, while increasing duties on certain non-essential imports.
Seventeen cancer drugs, along with medicines and food for seven rare diseases, will be exempt from basic customs duty, easing costs for patients.
Exemptions were also extended to parts for microwave ovens, sodium antimonate for solar glass, capital goods for critical mineral processing, and components for civil and defence aircraft, including raw materials used in maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Nuclear power projects will continue to enjoy duty exemptions till 2035, supporting energy security.
However, some items will become costlier. Low-cost umbrellas will attract a minimum duty of Rs 60 or 20%, ATM and cash dispensers will lose prior exemptions, concessional rates on coffee roasting and vending machines will lapse, and zoo animals and birds will face 30% duty.
Concessions for foreign film equipment imported for shoots in India will also end. These changes aim to support domestic production while maintaining sectoral incentives. (PTI)
