India Extends Cotton Import Duty Exemption Till December 31

The government has extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until December 31, 2026, providing two additional months of relief to the textile and apparel industry. The exemption was previously scheduled to expire on October 31.

The Ministry of Finance issued a notification on October 30, amending the earlier notification dated May 30, 2026. The amendment extends the existing exemption period without changing its other provisions.

The measure is intended to improve cotton availability and ease raw material costs for domestic manufacturers. Continued access to duty-free imports is expected to support spinning mills and downstream textile producers, including small and medium enterprises facing pressure on production costs.

The original exemption took effect on June 1, 2026, to augment cotton supplies for the textile sector. The government said the temporary relief aimed to reduce input costs across textiles and apparel while keeping domestic farmers’ interests in mind.