India’s customs duty collections recorded a decline of about 7 per cent during the period from April to November 2025 compared with the same period last fiscal year, reflecting softer import duty receipts amid changing trade patterns and tax rationalisation measures.
According to provisional data compiled for the first eight months of the current 2025–26 financial year, the total customs duty mop-up was lower on a year-on-year basis, while other revenue streams, such as central GST and excise duty, recorded growth. Customs duty collections fell from approximately ₹1,541 billion in April–November 2024 to around ₹1,429 billion in April–November 2025.
The downturn in customs receipts comes against the backdrop of broader indirect tax trends, including sweeping rationalisation of GST rates that have also influenced overall tax revenue patterns. Though customs duty forms a smaller portion of total tax revenues compared with GST and direct taxes, the year-to-date drop highlights the impact of lower import duties and potential shifts in import volumes.
Government officials and analysts will be watching how the remainder of the fiscal year unfolds, particularly as policy measures such as tariff reforms and budget proposals may influence trade flows and customs inflows ahead of the full-year revenue outcome.
