India Raises Duties on Imported Electrical, Textile Goods

India recently raised import duties on a range of goods as part of a government bid to boost domestic manufacturing, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Feb. 9. The higher duties, many that took effect this month, are on air conditioners, refrigerators, auto parts, mobile phones, steel products, iron products, LED lights, certain garments, textiles and other items. Among several changes, India raised duties on certain imported auto parts to 15%, from 7.5%-10%, and increased rates on refrigerator and air conditioner compressors to 15%, from 12.5%. It also imposed a 2.5% duty on certain technology products, including phones, power banks and raw materials used for lithium-ion batteries.