India Notifies New Zealand FTA Tariff-Rate Quotas: Apples, Kiwifruit, Albumins and Mānuka Honey from 20 October 2026

India has set out exactly how importers can bring four New Zealand farm products into the country at reduced duty under the new India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. DGFT Public Notice No. 33/2026-27, dated 17 October 2026, amends Para 2.92 and Appendix 2A of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 to create import Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQs) for apples, kiwifruit, albumins and mānuka honey. The procedure takes effect on 20 October 2026, the same day the FTA's first tranche of customs concessions goes live.

In plain terms: a limited quantity of each product can be imported each year at a preferential in-quota duty. Beyond the quota, the normal (higher) tariff applies. Importers must obtain an electronic TRQ authorisation from DGFT, backed by an export certificate issued by New Zealand's competent authority, before the shipment can be cleared at the concessional rate.

What Happened

Para 2.92 of the Handbook now carries the operating rules for India–New Zealand FTA quotas, and Appendix 2A lists the quota schedule. The quotas phase in over several years. For the current year — Year 1, which runs from entry into force to 31 December 2026 — only albumins (200 MT) and mānuka honey (40 MT) have a usable quota. Apples and kiwifruit carry a nil quota for Year 1, so no TRQ authorisations are available for those two fruits in 2026; their quotas open from 2027.

The in-quota conditions, as notified, are:

Apples (HS 0808.10.00): in-quota duty 25%, subject to a floor import price of CIF ≥ US$1.25/kg; quota rises from 35,000 MT in Year 2 to 45,000 MT from Year 6; import window 1 April to 31 August each year.
Kiwifruit (HS 0810.50.00): in-quota duty 0%, CIF ≥ US$1.80/kg; quota rises from 8,000 MT in Year 2 to 15,000 MT from Year 6; import window 1 April to 15 October.
Albumins (HS 3502.11.00, 3502.19.00, 3502.20.00, 3502.90.00): in-quota duty 11%; quota 200 MT in Year 1 rising to 3,000 MT from Year 5; available year-round.
Mānuka honey (ex 0409.00.00, certified by New Zealand MPI): CIF between US$20 and US$30/kg; quota 40 MT in Year 1 and 200 MT from Year 2; available year-round.

Imports under these quotas are read together with the Ministry of Finance customs notification that grants the India–New Zealand FTA duty concessions.

Why This Matters

A free trade agreement lowers duty, but a TRQ only lowers it for a capped volume. Without a valid TRQ authorisation debited in the customs system, an importer pays the full Most-Favoured-Nation rate even if the goods are genuinely of New Zealand origin. The public notice is therefore the operational key that turns the signed FTA into an actual duty saving for these four product lines. Getting the paperwork and timing right is the difference between a 0% kiwifruit entry and a full-duty one.

Who's Affected

The notice governs imports into India, so it chiefly concerns Indian importers of fresh produce, food ingredients (egg and milk albumins used in food processing and nutrition) and specialty honey, along with their customs house agents. Exporters are not directly bound, but New Zealand suppliers and their export certificates are central to eligibility, so Indian buyers sourcing from New Zealand should coordinate closely with their overseas partners.

How the Authorisation Works

New Zealand's competent authority allocates quota to its exporters or producers and issues an export certificate naming the product, the permitted quantity and the designated Indian importer; these details are communicated to DGFT quarterly or as agreed. The Indian importer then applies on the DGFT portal under Services → Import Management System → Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) → "Apply for TRQ," referencing the uploaded New Zealand allocation, and must state whether it is registered as an MSME for FTA monitoring. DGFT issues the authorisation electronically to the customs system (ICES), showing the IEC, customs notification number, tariff item, CIF/price slab, quantity and validity. The quota is debited electronically at import. There is no deadline within a quota year, but once the quota is exhausted no further authorisations are issued, and unused authorisations lapse at the end of the quota year and import window.

What Importers and CHAs Should Do Now

If you source New Zealand apples or kiwifruit, note that no preferential quota is available in 2026 — plan around the quota opening in 2027 and budget full duty for any 2026 shipments.
For albumins and mānuka honey, secure a New Zealand export certificate naming your firm before applying, as the application must reference it.
Register and apply early on the DGFT TRQ module; Year 1 albumin (200 MT) and honey (40 MT) quotas are small and first-come in effect.
Confirm the shipment meets the in-quota condition (price floor for honey, origin and MPI certification for honey) and carries valid Proof of Origin to claim the FTA rate.
Ensure the TRQ authorisation details exactly match the bill of entry so the quantity debits cleanly in ICES; mismatches stall clearance.
Track your quota year and import window — authorisations do not roll over.

The Bigger Picture

The India–New Zealand FTA follows a run of trade pacts India has operationalised in 2026, including the UK CETA and the EFTA TEPA. TRQs are how sensitive agricultural lines are opened gradually rather than all at once, protecting domestic growers while giving importers predictable, phased access. For food and beverage importers, mapping these quota calendars is becoming a routine part of sourcing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import New Zealand apples at the FTA rate right now? No. Apples and kiwifruit have a nil quota for Year 1 (2026). Preferential quotas for both open from 2027; any 2026 apple or kiwifruit imports attract the normal duty.

Do I need anything from the New Zealand side first? Yes. New Zealand's competent authority must issue an export certificate naming your firm and quantity, which DGFT uses to validate your TRQ application.

What happens if I import more than my authorised quota? Only the quantity covered by the TRQ authorisation gets the in-quota duty. Anything above it is assessed at the standard tariff.

Is a Certificate of Origin still required? Yes. The TRQ governs quantity and duty, but you still need valid Proof of Origin under the FTA to establish New Zealand origin, read with the Ministry of Finance customs notification.

Conclusion

For importers of New Zealand produce and food ingredients, the practical takeaway is simple: the FTA rate is real but rationed. Build your 2026 plans around the albumin and honey quotas, line up New Zealand export certificates, and apply on the DGFT portal early — while treating apple and kiwifruit imports at full duty until the 2027 quota year opens.

This article summarises DGFT Public Notice No. 33/2026-27 for general guidance. Verify the exact quota schedule, conditions and procedure against the official text on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) and the companion Ministry of Finance customs notification before filing, and consult your customs broker or trade adviser.