India: India Reduces Import Duty Tariff Levied on Pecans - Cracking Open the Door for the American Nut

On February 1, 2023, India’s Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue issued Notification No. 02/2023-Customs in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection (i) (official gazette), whereby it sets the import duty tariff rate for pecans, HS code 0802.9900, at 30 percent, effective April 1, 2023. The new duty rate represents a significant relaxation from the previous duty of 100 percent, while the erstwhile 10 percent Social Welfare Surcharge exemption has been withdrawn. Previously, pecans lacked a unique HS code, subjecting them to the higher tariff “nuts, others” category. India’s announcement comes following years-long efforts by the U.S. pecan industry and U.S. government advocacy led by the U.S. Trade Representative, FAS New Delhi (Post) and the interagency, and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) to reduce the duty on pecans. The move by the Indian government further facilitates and strengthens the trade-ties between the United States and India.