Customs duty rationalisation to help boost exports, promote manufacturing: Experts

The announcements in the Budget with regard to customs duty rationalisation will help boost exports and promote domestic manufacturing, experts and exporters said.The Union Budget 2026-27 focuses on lowering costs for strategic manufacturing, clean energy, defence, healthcare, and exports — while selectively raising tariffs to protect a few consumer goods, they said.The Budget has removed basic customs duty on a range of capital goods and strategic inputs. It has also raised the duty-free import limit for inputs used in seafood processing from 1 per cent to 3 per cent of export value, lowering costs.Anand Ramanathan, Partner & Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte India, said securing inputs in natural fibres through the national fibre scheme will help derisk exports from disruptions in global supply chains.