The government on Wednesday hiked customs duty on as many as 19 non-essential items including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, footwear, diamonds, jewellery and jet fuel. "The central government has taken tariff measures, by way of increase in the basic customs duty, to curb import of certain imported items. The customs duty has been doubled to 20% on air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines. The articles of jewellery, goldsmith and silversmith ware will attract a basic customs duty of 20%, up from 15%, while duty on semi-processed, half cut or broken diamonds has been increased from 5% to 7.5%. On footwear, the customs duty has been increased from 20% to 25%.

Source: dna September 26, 2018 23:26 UTC