WTO MC12: India to oppose zero Customs duties on electronic transmissions

India will strongly oppose continuation of a moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization’s crucial 12th ministerial meeting (MC12) that is scheduled to begin on June 12, government officials said on Tuesday.

They said that India will push for a review of the moratorium as it would help developing countries generate more revenue through customs duties.

In 1998, WTO members agreed not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions and the moratorium has been periodically extended at successive ministerial conferences.

At MC12, many WTO member nations are seeking temporary extension of the moratorium until the next ministerial.