Finance Ministry Lifts Customs Duty on Nuclear Power Imports for 7-Year Period

India's Finance Ministry Waives Customs Duties on Nuclear Power Imports

The Indian finance ministry has issued a government order dated June 11, waiving customs duties on goods imported for nuclear power generation from April 1, 2019, to January 31, 2026. This move extends relief to eligible imports made before the customs duty waiver announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 took effect.

The Budget presented on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed extending the existing basic customs duty exemption on imports of goods required for nuclear power projects till 2035. The Budget also expanded the exemption to all nuclear plants, irrespective of their capacity. The Budget documents listed three nuclear-energy categories for customs duty relief: all goods for generation of nuclear power falling under tariff item 8401 30 00, control and protector absorber rods and burnable absorber rods falling under tariff item 8401 40 00, and goods required for setting up specified nuclear power projects registered with customs houses on or before September 30, 2035.