Overview
- The Department of Revenue issued the notification in mid-October and the first tranche of preferential rates will take effect on October 20, 2026.
- Specified fresh, chilled and frozen sheep meat from New Zealand will enter India at zero basic customs duty with no AIDC or health cess under the notified tariff entry.
- Eligible kiwi fruit imports valued at $2.50 per kg or more will face a 15% basic customs duty, while other items such as wine, certain fish lines, manuka honey and furniture have distinct, product-specific duty rates.
- The package uses tariff-rate quotas and strict proof-of-origin and certification rules to govern access to preferred rates, and it excludes sensitive categories such as dairy to protect domestic producers.
- The move gives limited new market access to New Zealand exporters and creates administrative steps for Indian importers to claim benefits, with bilateral goods trade between the two countries around $1.13 billion in 2025–26.