Business · Trade · 8 hrs ago
India extends duty-free raw sugar import deadline to December 31
India has extended the deadline for duty-free raw sugar imports by two months, to December 31.
The government had allowed imports of up to 10 lakh tonnes to ease domestic supply constraints.
The earlier deadline was October 31, but the industry is estimated to have imported only about 3 lakh tonnes.
Measures to curb domestic prices weakened the incentive to import, according to industry sources.
The government introduced the import allowance after domestic sugar prices hit record highs in August amid lower production and reduced supplies available for export.
The extended window gives importers until December 31 to bring in sugar without paying duty.
The industry also expects production in the 2026–27 season to fall from last year because of drought linked to El Niño.
India extended the deadline for duty-free imports of raw sugar by two months, to December 31.
The duty-free import allowance covers 10 lakh tonnes under the tariff rate quota mechanism.
The previous deadline was October 31.
Industry estimates that about 3 lakh tonnes of the permitted volume had been imported.
Imports were subdued as government measures to curb domestic prices reduced the incentive to import.
The government introduced the measure after domestic sugar prices hit record highs amid lower production and exports.
- Who
- India’s government extended the import deadline.
- What
- It extended the duty-free import window for 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar to December 31.
- When
- The extension was announced on Wednesday; the previous deadline was October 31.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The import allowance was introduced to ease domestic supply constraints after sugar prices hit record highs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government issued a notification allowing duty-free imports of 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar.
The original deadline for the duty-free imports was due to expire.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification extending the deadline to December 31.
- Import allowance
- 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar
- New deadline
- December 31
- Previous deadline
- October 31
- Estimated imports
- About 3 lakh tonnes
- Notification date
- August 20