US tariffs on India: A timeline of duties, deals and reversals

India-US trade relations have seen multiple changes in tariff policy since April 2025, with duties being announced, suspended, withdrawn and replaced at different points.

The latest move came on September 18, when US President Donald Trump signed a law authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that buy Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

The key tariff developments between the two countries are:


April 2, 2025 — 26% tariff announced

Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement imposed an additional 26 per cent duty on Indian goods. This consisted of a 10 per cent baseline tariff and a 16 per cent reciprocal tariff.

Until then, Indian goods were subject only to MFN (most favoured nation) tariffs — standard import duties applicable to goods from all WTO member countries.

April 9, 2025 — Reciprocal duty put on hold

The US paused the 16 per cent reciprocal component for 90 days, through July 9, 2025. The 10 per cent baseline tariff continued to apply.

July 31, 2025 — 25% duty announced

Washington announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, with the new duty scheduled to kick in from August 7, 2025, at 9.30 am IST.

Until August 6, Indian goods continued to face only the 10 per cent additional duty imposed earlier.

August 6, 2025 — Russia oil purchases trigger another 25%

The US announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for India's continued purchase of Russian oil.

With the new levy, the total tariff on Indian goods, except for a small exemption list, climbed to 50 per cent.

August 27, 2025 — 50% additional duties

The tariff burden on Indian goods stood at 50 per cent in the US market, made up of a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff and another 25 per cent tariff linked to Russian oil purchases.

February 2, 2026 — Proposed reduction to 18%

India and the US reached a trade deal under which the US was to reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent.

That 18 per cent rate was never implemented.

February 6, 2026 — Trade framework announced

The two countries issued a joint statement announcing an agreement on a framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade agreement.

February 7, 2026 — Russia oil tariff withdrawn

The US rescinded the additional 25 per cent tariff that had been imposed on Indian goods over India's purchase of Russian oil.

February 20, 2026 — Supreme Court strikes down reciprocal tariff system

The US Supreme Court struck down the reciprocal-tariff system. Indian goods once again faced only MFN duties from that date.

February 24, 2026 — New global tariff introduced

The US brought in a new 10 per cent global tariff regime for 150 days. For India, this meant a 10 per cent tariff in addition to the applicable MFN duty.

July 24, 2026 — Section 301 tariff replaces global tariff

After the global tariff expired, the US imposed a 10 per cent tariff specifically on India under Section 301, citing concerns related to 'forced-labour'.

The measure therefore shifted from a global tariff to an India-specific tariff, although the effective rate for most covered Indian exports remained MFN duty plus 10 per cent.

September 18, 2026 — Fresh Russia-linked tariff threat

Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The law authorises tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

Where tariffs stand now

The 10 per cent Section 301 tariff applies to Indian exports, with certain goods excluded.

Separate sectoral duties include 50 per cent on steel and aluminium and 25 per cent on auto components. Smartphones, medicines and energy products are exempted.

For instance, an Indian shirt carrying a 5 per cent MFN tariff would currently face that 5 per cent duty plus the additional 10 per cent Section 301 tariff.

(With PTI inputs)