In what could be seen as a retaliatory move. the Government has hiked the import duty on goods, including apples, walnuts and non-alloy steel being brought in from the US. The revised tariff will come into effect from August 4, 2018.
A late evening notification dated June 20 specified that the import duty on apples imported from US will be 75 per cent, while those from other countries will attract 50 per cent duty. It may be noted that apples of the brand name, Washington Apple, is famous in India and is imported in large quantities from the US.
Almonds from the US will have import duty of between Rs 42-Rs 100 per kg as against duty of Rs 35-Rs 100 per kg to be levied on imports from other countries. Similarly, importers will have to pay custom duty at the rate of 120 per cent on walnuts, as against 100 per cent to be levied on imports from other countries.
Tax authorities said the date for imposing duty has been announced in advance so that “there is room available for negotiation, if possible.”