India drops some nonferrous scrap levies

The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) has issued a news release announcing the removal of import levies on several forms of nonferrous recycled metals, including copper-bearing scrap.

MRAI has met with India’s Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Mines and other government bureaus in the nation for several years to try to remove levies on what the organization considers an important raw material for India.

Referring to previous progress in reducing the duty on steel scrap, MRAI says it now has good news to report for nonferrous recycled metals traders.

“We are now pleased to announce a significant success: the basic customs duty on nonferrous scrap has been reduced to nil in India's Union Budget 2025-26,” MRAI says. “This applies to nonferrous scrap, including lead, zinc, copper, brass and lithium-ion battery scrap.”

Missing from that list is aluminum scrap, for which a 2.5 percent levy was retained in the upcoming fiscal year. Recyclers in India long have suspected the nation’s primary aluminum sector as lobbying steadily to retain or even increase that levy to deny a competitive advantage to secondary producers, as well as creating unattainable scrap importing quality standards.

In a letter sent last year to Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MRAI referred to Imported aluminum scrap as “a key raw material for aluminum recycling, and the government should make it to zero until the quality material (scrap) is available in sufficient quantity in the domestic market.”

On the red metal scrap front, the MRAI could have been helped by a June 2024 announcement from India-based metals producer Hindalco, which is part of the Aditya Birla Group conglomerate.

At that time, a supplier to Hindalco announced the firm intended to invest in a 50,000 tons per year secondary copper production facility in India, putting the firm on the same side as MRAI in the red metal scrap trade.

“This achievement has been made possible through your unwavering support and collaborative engagement with the government of India," MRAI says of the canceled fees, noting it continues to lobby for the same outcome in the aluminum sector.

Sponsored Content

Still relying on manual sorters?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Waste Robotics delivers reliable, high-performance robots tailored for complex waste streams. They require minimal maintenance, are easy to operate, and are designed to boost your recovery rates. Smarter sorting starts with the right partner. Waste Expo Booth #1969 & REMA #2843

Click here to see our robots in action!

Sponsored Content

Still relying on manual sorters?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Waste Robotics delivers reliable, high-performance robots tailored for complex waste streams. They require minimal maintenance, are easy to operate, and are designed to boost your recovery rates. Smarter sorting starts with the right partner. Waste Expo Booth #1969 & REMA #2843

Click here to see our robots in action!

Sponsored Content

Still relying on manual sorters?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Waste Robotics delivers reliable, high-performance robots tailored for complex waste streams. They require minimal maintenance, are easy to operate, and are designed to boost your recovery rates. Smarter sorting starts with the right partner. Waste Expo Booth #1969 & REMA #2843

Click here to see our robots in action!

Sponsored Content

Still relying on manual sorters?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Waste Robotics delivers reliable, high-performance robots tailored for complex waste streams. They require minimal maintenance, are easy to operate, and are designed to boost your recovery rates. Smarter sorting starts with the right partner. Waste Expo Booth #1969 & REMA #2843

Click here to see our robots in action!

Sponsored Content

Still relying on manual sorters?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Waste Robotics delivers reliable, high-performance robots tailored for complex waste streams. They require minimal maintenance, are easy to operate, and are designed to boost your recovery rates. Smarter sorting starts with the right partner. Waste Expo Booth #1969 & REMA #2843

Click here to see our robots in action!

“We remain committed to continued advocacy within government corridors for the reduction of duty on aluminum scrap, aiming to align scrap duties in India with global standards," the group says.