Duty free import of yellow peas extended until May

The government has extended the duty-free import of yellow peas by three months till May 31 this year to enhance domestic availability. The government has also extended the free import policy for urad dal, allowing traders to continue importing it without restrictions until March 31, 2026, as per the revised guidelines.

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The Indian government has extended the free import policy for yellow peas and urad to ensure stable prices and sufficient domestic supply of these essential pulses. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry issued a notification confirming that the import of yellow peas under ITC (HS) Code 07131010 is now classified as “Free,” with the removal of the previously applicable Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition and port restrictions. However, all traders must register their imports through the online Import Monitoring System. This updated rule is effective immediately and applies to all shipments with a Bill of Lading issued on or before May 31, 2025.

The previous policy allowing free import of yellow peas was set to expire on February 28, 2025. With the current extension, traders have three additional months—until May 31, 2025—to import yellow peas under the relaxed conditions. Apart from the changes mentioned in the latest notification, all earlier terms and conditions remain unchanged.

In December 2023, the government allowed duty-free imports of yellow peas—a more affordable alternative to chana—due to concerns over a possible decline in chana production. This relaxation, which was initially temporary, was extended multiple times until the end of February. A 50% import duty on yellow peas had been in place since 2017 to encourage domestic chana cultivation. In 2024, India imported 3 million tonnes (MT) of yellow peas, contributing to a record total of 6.7 MT in pulse imports. Currently, the country imports about 15–18% of its annual pulse consumption, which is approximately 29 MT.

The government has also extended the free import policy for urad dal by one year, allowing unrestricted imports until March 31, 2026—pushing the deadline from the earlier date of March 31, 2025.

The extended import policies aim to maintain price stability and reinforce food security, given the importance of pulses in the Indian diet. In particular, the relaxation of import rules for yellow peas is expected to benefit food processing industries that depend on these imports.