India Tightens Import Rules on Bangladeshi Clothes and Goods at Some Ports

India has suspended the import of some Bangladeshi consumer goods through its northeastern region.

It has taken a similar decision for ready-made garments. New Delhi says that from now on, only Kolkata and Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru) sea ports will be able to transport these goods to India.

The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement on Saturday: “A new Para 19 is introduced in ‘General Notes Regarding Import Policy’ under ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1 (Import Policy) to regulate the import of certain goods from Bangladesh to India, with immediate effect."

As per the notification, goods which cannot be imported to India from Bangladesh through Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari in West Bengal are drinks (fruit/fruit favoured and carbonated), processed food (baked goods, snacks, chips and confectionery), cotton and cotton yarn waste, plastic and PVC finished goods (except pigments, dyes, plasticisers and granules) and wooden furniture.

However, neither curb would apply to the import of fish, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), cooking oil, and crushed stone from Bangladesh to India.

The exemption will also apply to Bangladeshi exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through India.

New Delhi made the announcement amid the two countries deciding to stop importing each other's products.

India's new decision is expected to put tremendous pressure on Bangladesh's exports to the neighbouring country.

Analysts believe that India's move is tougher for Bangladesh than the high tariffs imposed by the United States on China as the country has been exporting a large number of goods to the northeastern states of India for the last few years.

About a month ago, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) stopped importing yarn from India through Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha and Burimari land ports.