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Govt to give separate HS Code to non-Basmati rice based on GI for export
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Saturday, 10 May, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Ministry of Commerce has decided to give separate HS Code to ‘rice’ other than Basmati based on geographical indication for the purpose of export.
According to the Department of Commerce, it was done to enable focused policy formulation and for specific interventions for the growth of commerce and trade of GI varieties of rice, in addition to Basmati. The Government has also created new tariff items for rice based on process (Parboiled, others) and on variety (rice recognised by the Geographical Indication Registry, Basmati, others).
It is learnt that the department has already passed an amendment into the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, effected through the Finance Act, 2025, and this measure has become operative from May 1, 2025, and will benefit more than 20 GI varieties of rice, as defined and recognised by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which are grown in more than 10 States & UTs of India.
India is one of the world’s top producers of rice and is having a significant number of varieties of rice, with more than 20 varieties having been registered as Geographical Indication (GI) in India, along with Basmati and each GI variety of rice has its own distinct taste profile, physical characteristics, aroma.
It is pertinent to mention that Basmati rice has a significant demand in the world market with exports in 2023-24 valued at US$5.8 billion with export volume of 5.24 million MT, being exported to more than 140 countries.
Further, to distinguish Basmati from other rice varieties, the Government in the year 2008 had notified the standards and qualifications of rice varieties for rice to be eligible as Basmati. For policy purpose and to accurately capture international trade of Basmati rice, a separate tariff item for Basmati rice was notified by the government, at 8 digit with HS Code 1006.30.20, as a further sub-classification of Tariff Sub-Heading 1006.30 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed).
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