Mobile phones, chargers to cost less? What 5% BCD cut in Budget 2024 means for consumers

As part of the Union Budget 2024-25, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, July 23, proposed to reduce the basic customs duty (BCD) rates on imported mobile phones, mobile printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and mobile chargers to 15 per cent from 20 per cent.

Presenting the budget in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “With a three-fold increase in domestic production and almost 100-fold jump in exports of mobile phones over the last six years, the Indian mobile phone industry has matured.”