<h1>Central Government Raises Customs Duty on 19 Non-Essential Items to Curb Imports and Narrow Current Account Deficit.</h1> The Central Government has increased the basic customs duty on 19 non-essential imported items to curb imports and narrow the current account deficit. The items affected include air conditioners, household refrigerators, washing machines under 10 kg, compressors for air conditioners and refrigerators, speakers, footwear, radial car tires, various types of diamonds and gemstones, articles of jewelry, plastic household items, travel bags, and aviation turbine fuel. The new tariff rates, effective from September 27, 2018, aim to reduce the import value of these goods, which totaled approximately Rs 86,000 crore in the 2017-18 fiscal year.