Zero-Duty Access for Indian Exports to Australia from January 1

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday announced that 100 per cent of Australian tariff lines will become zero-duty for Indian exports from January 1, marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations between India and Australia.

The announcement was made on the third anniversary of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022. According to the Minister, the agreement has delivered sustained export growth, deeper market access, and enhanced supply-chain resilience over the past three years.

Boost for Labour-Intensive and MSME Sectors

Highlighting the economic impact of the move, Mr Goyal said that the zero-duty access will unlock fresh opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, benefiting Indian exporters, MSMEs, farmers, and workers.

In a social media post, the Commerce Minister noted that India’s exports to Australia grew by 8 per cent in 2024–25, contributing to an improvement in India’s trade balance with the country.

Strong Export Performance Across Key Sectors

The Minister pointed out that robust gains have been recorded across multiple sectors, including:

• Manufacturing

• Chemicals

• Textiles

• Plastics

• Pharmaceuticals

• Petroleum products

• Gems and jewellery

Among these, gems and jewellery exports registered a notable 16 per cent growth between April and November of the current financial year.

Agri-Exports See Broad-Based Growth

India’s agricultural exports to Australia have also shown broad-based expansion, with significant growth recorded in:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Marine products

• Spices

• Coffee, which witnessed exceptional growth

Mr Goyal emphasized that these trends underline the effectiveness of the ECTA in diversifying India’s export basket and strengthening market access for both traditional and high-value products.

India–Australia Trade Outlook

The Commerce Minister reiterated that the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has emerged as a key driver of bilateral trade, reinforcing supply-chain resilience and positioning India as a reliable export partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

With complete tariff elimination on Australian tariff lines for Indian goods from January 1, the agreement is expected to further accelerate exports, enhance competitiveness, and support India’s broader trade and employment objectives.