ACs, refrigerators to cost more as India raises import tariffs on 19 items

The government on Wednesday said that it hiked customs duty on 19 items, with an aim to curb "non-essential imports" and narrow the current account deficit.

The new tariff structure, which goes into effect Thursday, will see the government raise customs duties on items such as air conditioners, refrigerators, footwear and aviation turbine fuel, among other items.

The government had earlier said it was contemplating such a move to take pressure off the rupee, which has weakened by more than 12 percent so far this year.

The total value of imports of these items in the year 2017-18 was about Rs 86000 Crore, an ANI report said.