Notification No. 21/2026-Customs, Dated 09-06-2026
The Central Government has issued a notification amending Notification No. 62/2022-Customs dated 26-12-2022 to extend the benefits available under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) to imports of Manganese Ore from Australia.
The amendment grants a concessional customs duty rate of 0% on the specified tariff item.
1. New Entry Inserted in Notification No. 62/2022-Customs
The notification inserts a new entry at Serial No. 825A in Table I of Notification No. 62/2022-Customs.
The newly inserted entry covers:
-
- Tariff Item 26020010 – Manganese Ore
This inclusion brings Manganese Ore within the scope of goods eligible for preferential customs treatment under the India–Australia ECTA framework.
2. Basic Customs Duty Reduced to Nil
Under the amendment, imports of goods classified under:
Tariff Item 26020010 (Manganese Ore)
shall attract a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) rate of 0%.
Accordingly, eligible imports of Manganese Ore from Australia will be entitled to duty-free treatment under the agreement.
3. Benefit Available Under India–Australia ECTA
The amendment has been introduced to extend the preferential tariff benefits available under the:
India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA)
to imports of Manganese Ore originating from Australia.
Importers claiming the benefit must satisfy the applicable conditions relating to origin and other requirements prescribed under the ECTA framework.
4. Impact on Importers and Industry
The duty concession is expected to:
- Reduce the landed cost of Manganese Ore imports from Australia;
- Improve access to raw materials for domestic industries;
- Enhance trade flows between India and Australia; and
- Promote utilisation of benefits available under the ECTA.
Industries dependent on Manganese Ore, particularly steel and alloy manufacturers, may benefit from lower import costs.
5. Objective of the Amendment
The amendment seeks to broaden the coverage of products eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the India–Australia ECTA.
By extending a 0% Basic Customs Duty rate to Manganese Ore imported from Australia, the Government aims to facilitate bilateral trade, strengthen economic cooperation and improve access to essential industrial raw materials at competitive prices.
