India Scraps Cotton Import Duty Till Oct 31 To Boost Textiles

The Central Government has announced a temporary exemption from all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026.

The decision has been taken to increase the availability of cotton for India’s textile and apparel sector during the period.

By removing import duties, cotton can be brought into the country at a lower cost, helping textile manufacturers secure raw material more easily and reduce input costs.

The government expects the move to provide targeted relief across the textile value chain, including yarn, fabric, garment and apparel manufacturers.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which form a large part of India’s textile industry, are expected to benefit from improved cotton availability and lower production costs.

According to the government, the measure has been designed to support the domestic textile industry while also keeping the interests of Indian cotton farmers in mind.

The temporary duty exemption is expected to boost production, improve competitiveness of Indian textile exports, support industry growth and potentially benefit consumers through lower costs.