America's Bourbon whiskey available at a cheaper price; Government has reduced the import duty from 150 to 50%

Amid preparations for trade negotiations with America, India has reduced the duty on Bourbon whiskey by 50%. Earlier, it had an import duty rate of 150%. Bourbon whiskey has the tag of being sweet.

Just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Donald Trump, there had been an announcement on February 13 reducing duty on Bourbon whiskey. But there has not been any duty cut on other imports of liquor. They will continue to have a duty of 100%.

America is the largest supplier of Bourbon whiskey to India. A quarter of the total Bourbon whiskey originates from the US.

According to a notification issued by the Revenue Department, imports of bourbon whiskey will now attract a 50% customs duty. India imported bourbon whiskey worth US$2.5 million in 2023-24.

Amid Donald Trump's emphasis on 'retaliatory tariffs', there are talks that American bike company Harley-Davidson may again be seen in India. In the budget presented earlier this month, custom duty on imported expensive bikes has been cut to make their import cheaper.

Harley Davidson, which currently sells only one model X-440 in collaboration with Indian partner Hero MotoCorp, had launched 13 models in the Indian market, but the company stopped its manufacturing and sales in 2020.