CBIC to prescribe BCD and AIDC on Raw Cotton for a specified period: The Central Government has issued Notification No. 19/2026-Customs dated 30 May 2026 to exempt imported cotton falling under tariff heading 5201 from the whole of the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC). The exemption has been granted under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962, read with Section 124 of the Finance Act, 2021. The notification states that the exemption will apply to cotton imported into India and will come into effect from 1 June 2026. The exemption will remain available up to and including 31 October 2026.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue)
Notification No. 19/2026-Customs | Dated: 30th May, 2026
G.S.R. 420(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) read with section 124 of the Finance Act, 2021 (13 of 2021), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the goods of the description specified in column (3) of the Table below, falling under the heading of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Customs Tariff Act’), specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table, when imported into India, from the whole of the duty of customs leviable thereon under the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act and from the whole of the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess leviable thereon under the said section of the Finance Act, 2021 (13 of 2021), namely: –
| Sl. No | Heading | Description of Goods |
| (1) | (2) | (3) |
| 1 | 5201 | Cotton |
2. This notification shall come into force with effect from the 01st day of June, 2026, and shall remain in force up to and inclusive of the 31st day of October, 2026.
[F. No. CBIC-190354/288/2021-TO(TRU-I)]
DHEERAJ SHARMA, Under Secy.
