Paper import duty may go down further

The Customs duty on paper imports may be trimmed to 10 per cent from the current 12.5 per cent in the coming Budget. In the last Budget, the duty was reduced from 15 to 12.5 per cent.

"There is a proposal to bring down the duty on paper (excluding newsprint) imports to 10 per cent. This will be a first step in the movement towards Association of South East Nations (Asean)-level of duties," said an industry source. At 5 per cent, the duty on newsprint is already low.

Paper prices have been up by 8-10 per cent over the last one year in the domestic market.