The central government has announced a temporary exemption from all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, in a move aimed at improving the availability of cotton for India’s textile industry.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the measure is expected to lower input costs across the textile and apparel value chain, providing targeted relief to manufacturers while also benefiting consumers. The government said the decision has been taken while keeping the interests of domestic cotton farmers in mind.
The duty exemption is also expected to support the growth of the domestic textile industry, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by ensuring an adequate supply of cotton in the market. Officials believe the move will strengthen the sector’s overall performance and enhance its competitiveness during the period of exemption.
The exemption will remain in effect until October 31, 2026, after which the existing customs duty structure on cotton imports is expected to resume unless further notified by the government.
