India Import-Export Weekly Roundup: January 13, 2026
US-India trade talks restart, rice exports jump, JNPT rail link deadline, honey MEP extended, and met coke import curbs reshape sourcing decisions.
This week’s trade developments combine near-term compliance pressure with medium-term opportunities for exporters and importers. Watch for fast-moving policy signals on India–US tariffs, agri-exports, and key industrial inputs that can materially change landed cost and contract strategy.
1. India–US trade talks restart, exporters plan for tariff risk
India and the US have restarted discussions on a proposed trade pact, signalling a push to resolve broader frictions beyond tariff lines. For Indian exporters, this matters because current US actions have sharply raised duty uncertainty, forcing tighter pricing clauses, alternative routing, and faster market diversification—especially for US-dependent categories.
- Next trade discussion is scheduled for January 13, 2026.
- The US has said total tariffs on Indian goods have risen to 50%, including a 25% penalty linked to Russian oil purchases, with a key tranche cited as effective August 27, 2026.
- Both sides are targeting $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 (up from roughly $191 billion), making tariff outcomes central to FY26–FY27 export planning.
2. Record rice shipments return as export curbs stay lifted
India’s rice exports surged in 2025 after the government removed earlier restrictions, helping India regain price competitiveness across key importing regions. For exporters, the rebound supports higher-volume contracting and destination expansion; for buyers and competitors, it increases supply pressure that can compress prices and shift tender outcomes.
- India’s 2025 rice exports rose about 19.4% to 21.55 million metric tonnes (near record levels).
- Non-basmati exports increased around 25% to 15.15 million tonnes, while basmati exports rose about 8% to a record 6.4 million tonnes.
- Action: re-check forward price assumptions and renegotiate long-term supply contracts where India’s lower pricing is resetting regional benchmarks.
3. JNPT rail freight corridor link gets March 31 deadline
JNPT’s last-mile connection to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is expected to be completed by end-March 2026, which can materially improve evacuation speed and reduce inland logistics variability. Exporters shipping via JNPT should align FY26 booking strategies and warehouse positioning to capture faster rail-led movement and lower dwell risk.
- Target date for JNPT connectivity is March 31, 2026.
- The link is tied to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor’s final last-mile segment to the port.
- Action: review lane mix (road vs rail) for JNPT-bound cargo and update lead times in customer SLAs for April–June 2026 shipments.
4. Natural honey export floor price extended, protects realizations
DGFT has extended the minimum export price framework for natural honey, a move that can support value realization but may limit flexibility for low-priced bulk deals. Exporters should align invoice pricing, product grading, and buyer negotiations to remain compliant while preserving margins, especially in price-sensitive destinations.
- Minimum export price continues at USD 1,400 FOB per metric tonne for natural honey.
- Validity has been extended up to March 31, 2026.
- Natural honey (ITC(HS) 04090000) remains freely exportable, but pricing discipline becomes the key compliance checkpoint.
5. Low-ash met coke imports tightened; steel supply chains recalibrate
India has extended restrictions on imports of low-ash metallurgical coke, while also moving with provisional anti-dumping measures—together raising procurement complexity and cost risk for steel and ferroalloy value chains. Importers should re-validate country sourcing, authorisation timelines, and alternative input strategies to avoid production disruptions.
- Low-ash metallurgical coke imports (ash content below 18%) are restricted from January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026.
- Coverage includes HS codes 27040020, 27040030, 27040040 and 27040090, typically requiring DGFT-linked import authorisation; higher-ash material remains outside the restriction scope.
- Provisional anti-dumping duty has been announced at roughly $60.87 to $130.66 per tonne for six months on imports from Australia, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, and Russia—raising landed cost scenarios for Q4FY26 planning.
Next week, track whether India–US talks translate into concrete tariff pathways, and watch for any further DGFT/customs notifications that change import licensing, MEP/MIP conditions, or port-linked logistics timelines.
Source: Economic Times