India grants zero duty on New Zealand sheep meat and cuts kiwi fruit tariff to 15% starting Oct. 20
India's finance ministry announced that, from Oct. 20, imports of New Zealand sheep meat will incur no basic customs duty, while kiwi fruit will be taxed at 15% under the new FTA concessions.
On Oct. 16, India's Department of Revenue released a customs notification outlining the first set of duty concessions under the India-New Zealand free trade agreement, effective Oct. 20. The measures eliminate basic customs duty, Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess, and health cess on fresh, chilled and frozen sheep meat from New Zealand. Eligible kiwi fruit imports priced at $2.50 per kilogram or higher will be subject to a 15% basic customs duty.
Additional concessions cover products like wine, manuka honey and certain fish lines, which receive specific duty rates and, for some, zero ancillary cesses. Importers must verify product classifications, meet origin requirements and adhere to tariff-rate quota limits to qualify for the preferential rates. Sensitive sectors such as dairy and key agricultural items remain excluded from the concessions.
Why it matters
The tariff cuts lower costs for Indian importers and boost trade between India and New Zealand.
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