Import duty on dates cut by 40pc

The government has reduced the existing import duty on dates by 40 per cent to ensure its adequate supply and help stabilise market prices during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

The government issued a notification on Tuesday reducing the customs duty from 25 per cent to 15 per cent. The concession will remain in effect until March 31, 2026.

In addition, provisions related to advance income tax (AIT) at the import stage were revised in the last budget, lowering the applicable AIT on the import of all fruits, including dates, from 10 per cent to 5.0 per cent.

The 50-percent rebate on advance income tax granted last year on the import of dates and other fruits has also been retained for the current year.

As a result of these significant reductions in import duty and advance income tax, the National Board of Revenue expects that supplies of dates will remain adequate and its prices to remain affordable for general consumers, according to a statement.

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