DISCUS welcomes duty cut on bourbon

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has welcomed India’s decision of reducing import tariffs on bourbon whiskey from 150 percent to 100 percent, a move that will benefit the US bourbon exporters to India.

The tariff notification issued by the Indian government on February 13 sets the basic customs duty at 50 percent, with an additional levy of 50 percent. Other liquor imports will continue to be taxed at 150 percent.

The decision follows US President Donald Trump’s criticism of India’s high trade levies, which he raised during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House this week.

“We applaud President Trump for his leadership in securing this historic reduction of India’s prohibitive tariff on Bourbon,” said Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “This significant accomplishment opens opportunities for US distillers to increase their exports to the world’s largest whiskey market and bolster American manufacturing jobs. India’s 150 percent tariff on Bourbon imports has severely restricted access to the Indian market for the US spirits exporters for far too long. We thank President Trump and Prime Minister Modi for their collaboration.”

In 2024, India was the 23rd largest export market for American whiskeys.  American whiskey exports to India totaled $8.8 million.  Despite being the world’s largest whiskey market by volume, American whiskey exports to India were less than what was exported to Singapore, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

Through its partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, DISCUS has conducted a campaign in India since 2023 to educate Indian importers and media about the distinctiveness and versatility of American whiskeys and other spirits.