September 18, 2025

New Delhi woke up to some thrilling news for defence and culture lovers! On Wednesday, the Centre announced a bold move. It exempted 18 defence-related imports from customs duty. Imagine no taxes on flight motion simulators, ship-launched missiles, rockets bigger than 100 mm, remotely piloted military aircraft, and even all parts and tools for artillery weapons, rifles, aircraft, and missiles! The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) revealed that this duty exemption also covers military transport aircraft, deep submergence rescue vessels, unmanned underwater vessels, and high-performance batteries for drones. What does this mean? Zero customs duty and zero integrated goods and services tax (IGST) on all these defence goodies! This big decision aims to fire up India’s defence modernisation, making sure the armed forces get top-notch tech without extra money hurdles. To add more spice, this move follows a recent slash in GST from 18% to nil on these very products. It’s like getting a double tax break—a dream come true for defence imports! But wait, there’s more! The government also eased IGST on some special imports beyond defence. Now, works of art displayed in museums or galleries, monuments made for public places, and certified antiques or antiquities will get the same sweet IGST relief. Before, only the basic customs duty was waived. This expansion helps protect and promote India’s rich cultural heritage while easing the financial load on public exhibitions and memorials. This double whammy of tax relief—from defence gear to cultural treasures—shows the Centre’s serious commitment to strengthening national security and preserving heritage at the same time. As the CBIC’s notification says, all these items will now attract nil customs duty and IGST, clearing a smooth path for modern weapons and priceless art alike. India's defence and culture sectors just got their own little fireworks on the tax front!

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Tags: Customs duty exemption, Defence imports, Cbic notification, Gst reduction, India defence modernisation, Military equipment,