The Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) extended the customs duty exemption on import of petrochemical products by another fifteen days as it seeks to ensure a smooth transition for the domestic manufacturing industry relying on them for feedstock and intermediates.

At the peak of West Asia conflict April 2, the government had first put forth the customs duty waiver on petrochemical imports to ensure the uninterrupted supply for domestic manufacturing industries - which use it as feedstock and/or intermediates - at a time when oil-marketing companies were asked to augment the domestic production of liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Thus, with a probable end to the conflict in West Asia near sight and to ensure a structured transition, the latest directive extends the exemption by another fifteen days, that is, until July 15.

“As the situation is gradually normalising, to ensure a smooth and non-disruptive transition for the affected sectors, it has been decided to extend the said exemption by a further period of fifteen days, that is, till July 15,” read the Union Finance Ministry’s statement.

It reiterated that the exemption would benefit a range of sectors, including plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive components and other manufacturing segments.

The list of exempted items includes anhydrous ammonia, methanol (methyl alcohol), acetic acid and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), among others.