Budget 2026: Soaps, umbrellas to get costlier
This year's Union Budget is making some everyday items—like soaps, detergents, and umbrellas—a bit more expensive.
Customs duties on umbrella parts and potassium hydroxide (used in soaps and batteries) are going up, which means higher costs for manufacturers and likely pricier products for everyone.
Non-garden umbrellas will see a new duty
Potassium hydroxide now faces a 7.5% duty (up from zero), so unless local supply steps up, making things like soaps could cost more.
Non-garden umbrellas will also see a new duty: either a flat rate or ₹60 per piece—whichever is higher—to discourage cheap imports.
On the bright side, bringing personal goods from abroad just...
On the bright side, bringing personal goods from abroad just got cheaper—the import duty has been cut in half to 10%.
For example, if you buy something worth ₹40,000 overseas (with IGST and surcharge), you'll save over ₹5,600 compared to before.
Plus, customs is moving toward easier digital systems, with approvals for cargo clearance to be processed through a single interconnected digital window by the end of the financial year (by March 31, 2026), some clearance processes operationalised by April 2026, and a full Customs Integrated System rollout planned over two years.