The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has welcomed the notification issued by the Ministry of Finance introducing a special one-time relief window for the clearance of manufactured goods from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates.
The notification, dated March 31, 2026, will be effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and is expected to provide significant support to the SEZ-based garment manufacturers.
AEPC Chairman Dr. A. Sakthivel stated that the measure comes at a crucial time for the industry and will help ease cost pressures, improve liquidity, and support production continuity for textile and apparel exporters.
AEPC further highlighted that the measure is especially important for textile and apparel exporters who are currently facing rising input costs, pricing pressures, and uncertain global demand. By enabling concessional duty on goods cleared into the domestic market, the relief will help manufacturers better manage inventories and utilize capacities more efficiently.
AEPC reiterated its commitment to working closely with the government to further strengthen the textile and apparel ecosystem and to address emerging challenges faced by exporters.
