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Duty-free entry for low-value parcels is disappearing in India's biggest markets. The US ended its $800 de minimis exemption for most imports, with CBP running a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments up to $2,500 from 22 September 2026 and a per-parcel fee due by 1 November. The EU scrapped its €150 duty exemption on 1 July 2026. A corridor read for Indian e-commerce exporters and forwarders.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said (4 Sep 2026) India will sign a trade deal with the US only once Washington offers a preferential tariff rate that keeps Indian exporters ahead of competitors. A corridor read on what the sticking point means for India-to-USA shippers and how to plan while talks continue.
In early September 2026, Asia–Europe spot rates eased as lines gradually returned to Suez, adding capacity into softening demand. Drewry's WCI held near $4,465/40ft while Shanghai–Rotterdam slipped ~5% to ~$4,092. A corridor read for India-to-Europe exporters on what the shift means for cost, capacity and contracting.
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
India's food-import regime has tightened in 2026: Foreign Food Manufacturing Facility (FFMF) registration on ReFoM is now mandatory for high-risk categories, prior intimation via FICS is required before consignments arrive, and from 1 May 2026 all imported-food testing must use FSSAI-approved methods. A practical briefing for food importers and CHAs.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to normal commercial traffic through 2026, India–Gulf trade faces higher freight, war-risk and bunker surcharges, longer transit via the Cape, and energy-supply pressure. A corridor read for exporters and importers on the India–UAE and India–Saudi Arabia lanes.
With the Red Sea diversion now past 1,000 days, most carriers still route India–Europe cargo around the Cape of Good Hope — adding 10–14 days and keeping rates well above pre-crisis levels. A corridor read for exporters shipping to Germany, the Netherlands and wider Europe on cost, timing and mitigation.
Per GTRI, September 2026 is the first complete month in which affected Indian exports face the full steep US tariff, after step-ups through August. With shipments to the US already down sharply, this is a corridor read for India-to-USA exporters on exposure, mitigation and what to watch.