India Import-Export Weekly Roundup: December 23, 2025
India–NZ FTA signed, IT hardware import controls extended, DGFT restricts key pharma imports, logistics surcharges shift, and marine exports rise amid tariff talks.
This week’s trade environment brought a big FTA win, tighter guardrails on select chemical imports, and fresh signals on logistics costs. For Indian SMEs and procurement teams, the common theme is clearer: lock in compliance fast and rework landed-cost models early.
1. India–New Zealand FTA Delivers Zero-Duty Access for Indian Exports
India and New Zealand signed a new free trade agreement that improves market access for Indian exporters and sets up a longer-term investment push into India. The deal is positioned to expand bilateral trade and create new opportunities across manufacturing-linked exports, particularly where India can serve as a production base for wider markets.
- Signed on December 22, 2025; positioned as India’s third FTA in 2025.
- New Zealand offers zero-duty access for 100% of Indian exports; India reduces duties on 95% of New Zealand exports.
- New Zealand indicated a private-sector investment facilitation target of $20 billion over 15 years—exporters should map NZ partner/distributor options now.
2. Dairy “Process-in-India, Re-Export” Route Opens Under India–NZ FTA
A notable carve-out in the India–New Zealand FTA enables New Zealand firms to bring dairy inputs into India for processing and then re-export finished goods. For Indian contract manufacturers and export processors, this can mean incremental capacity utilisation and new tolling contracts—without direct exposure to domestic dairy price pressure.
- Provision allows dairy inputs to be imported, processed in India, and 100% of output re-exported (ring-fenced for exports).
- Indian government messaging emphasizes domestic dairy market protection while still enabling export-linked processing.
- Food processors should evaluate export-only bonded/controlled workflows and confirm documentation controls to avoid DTA diversion risk.
3. IT Hardware Import Management System Extended to December 31, 2026
India extended the validity of its Import Management System (IMS) for specified IT hardware by another year. Importers and OEM procurement teams should treat this as a continuing compliance layer that can affect purchase lead times, supplier contracting, and shipment planning—especially for product lines that fall under the covered categories.
- Validity extended by one year, now up to December 31, 2026.
- Applies to specified IT hardware imports under the IMS framework (category coverage must be verified per product).
- Action: recheck HS classification and internal SOPs so purchase orders, shipment schedules, and filings align with IMS requirements.
4. DGFT Restricts Low-Priced Potassium Clavulanate Imports Till Nov 30, 2026
DGFT amended import policy conditions for select Chapter 29 items, restricting imports of potassium clavulanate and certain intermediates when declared CIF values fall below specified thresholds. This directly impacts pharma supply chains and importers of antibiotic inputs, raising the compliance bar on valuation, contracting, and sourcing decisions.
- Notification dated December 17, 2025; restriction window runs until November 30, 2026.
- Imports become “Restricted” below CIF thresholds (e.g., diluted potassium clavulanate below USD 77/kg; potassium clavulanate below USD 180/kg; specified intermediates below USD 92/kg).
- Advance Authorisation/EOU/SEZ imports are excluded if not diverted to DTA—firms should harden end-use controls and documentation trails.
5. Export Logistics Cost Signal: Maersk Revises India Export Dry Port Surcharge
For exporters using inland container movement via Indian gateways, Maersk published a revision to its Dry Port Surcharge (Export) tariff. Even when rates move down on specific lanes, this is a reminder to validate charges at booking stage and re-price quotes, especially for SME exporters selling on CIF/CFR terms.
- Maersk issued the revision notice on December 11, 2025, for India export moves via Indian ports to global destinations.
- Applies to 20’ dry and 40’ high dry containers, with tariffs varying by inland point and gateway.
- Action: update freight rate cards, reconfirm inland point/gateway combinations at booking, and re-check margin assumptions on export orders.
Next week, watch for follow-through notifications and operational guidance that typically arrive after major FTAs and import policy changes—those details often determine the real compliance and cost impact.
Source: Economic Times