With the United States’ 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods set to take full effect on Wednesday, exporters of high-value cargo, including smartphones, engineering goods, and automotive parts, are scrambling to ensure these goods are shipped out before the new rates are applied.
Outbound cargo volumes at India’s major seaports and airports had surged between 18 per cent and 22 per cent over the past week. The US order exempts goods loaded onto a vessel or in transit before 12.01 am Eastern Daylight Time on April 9, 2025, from the tariffs.
Exporters, particularly in the engineering goods, textiles, and automotive components sectors, have been actively advancing their shipments to beat the deadline. An executive at a southern Indian airport operator noted a marked rise in outbound shipments for electronics and pharmaceutical firms in recent days.