Budget 2026: Customs Duty Cuts Boost Exports, Clean Energy, Manufacturing & Healthcare

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced customs duty changes in Budget 2026 to promote exports, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and support clean energy and strategic sectors.
• Marine exports get a boost with increased duty-free import limits for seafood processing inputs, from 1% to 3% of previous year's FOB export turnover.
• Clean energy initiatives include extending BCD exemption for capital goods used in Lithium-Ion Cells for battery energy storage systems and exempting sodium antimonate for solar glass manufacturing.
• Strategic sectors like nuclear power projects (BCD exemption until 2035) and critical minerals processing (BCD exemption for capital goods) receive support.
• Healthcare benefits from reduced customs duties on 17 drugs and BCD exemption on cancer treatment medicines and seven more drugs for rare diseases.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 slashes customs duties to spur exports, clean energy, manufacturing, and make healthcare affordable.