Delhi's excise department is evaluating how the India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will reshape whisky prices. CETA cut the customs duty on qualifying British spirits from 150% to 75%, with a further drop to 40% in later phases. Because retail price also carries state excise, taxes and margins, the actual discount that consumers will see will depend on each brand’s revised price.
Officials said the first visible price shift could appear after October 10, but only for labels that qualify for the tariff concession. In Uttar Pradesh, a similar review has already produced a 5‑15% reduction on several UK‑origin liquors. Delhi has yet to announce a blanket cut, and the department is inspecting whether each bottle meets the product‑origin criteria. Some Scotch brands are finished imports, while others are bottled or produced locally, which determines eligibility for the duty cut.
Meanwhile, the government is weighing an increase in Delhi's state excise levy, which could counteract any savings from the customs cut. No new excise hike has yet been enacted, and the proposal is on hold while the department waits for a new commissioner. If approved, the higher levy would raise retail prices and could negate the benefit of the CETA duty reduction for certain imports.
Thus, the market is likely to see uneven price changes, with some premium Scots becoming cheaper and others remaining unchanged. The final adjustments are pending a full review of the tariff structure, and consumers should watch for official announcements before Oct 10.