Centre allows duty free import of 20 Lakh MT crude soyabean, sunflower oil

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To provide required relief to consumers, the Central Government on Tuesday exempted customs duty and agriculture infrastructure development cess on 20 Lakh metric tonnes yearly import of crude soyabean and sunflower oil.

According to the Finance Ministry notification, the order will come into force on May 25, 2022, and shall cease to apply after March 31, 2024.

"Central Govt. has allowed import of a quantity of 20 Lakh MT each of Crude Soyabean Oil & Crude Sunflower Oil per year for a period of 2 years at Nil rate of customs duty & Agricultural Infrastructure and Development Cess. This will provide significant relief to the consumers", the CBIC tweeted.

The announcement comes in the wake of a surge in edible oil prices in India. India is one of the world's largest vegetable oil importers and relies on imports for 60 per cent of its needs.

Meanwhile, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, edible oil prices have shot up significantly. Sunflower oil is imported into India majorly from Ukraine and Russia.

In February, the Government of India on Monday announced that agri-cess on crude palm oil has been reduced to 5 per cent with effect from 12th February 2022 from the earlier 7.5 per cent.

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