New Rules for Preferential Tariffs: Importers Must Comply with CAROTAR 2020 and Section 28DA of Customs Act, 1962.

The Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, 2020 (CAROTAR, 2020) were established following the Finance Act, 2020, which added Section 28DA to the Customs Act, 1962. These rules outline the procedures for claiming preferential tariffs on imports to India under trade agreements. Importers must declare goods as originating from a partner country, provide a Certificate of Origin (CoO), and possess adequate information about the goods' origin. CAROTAR also details verification processes for CoO authenticity and specifies conditions under which preferential tariffs may be denied, such as expired CoO or ineligible tariff items.