TOP HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET 2010

1. Customs duty on Gold and Platinum hiked
2. 
   
         Extension of existing interest subvention of 2 per cent for one more year for exports covering handicrafts, carpets, handlooms and small and medium enterprises.
3. 
   
   Provide concessional customs duty of 5 per cent to specified agricultural machinery  not manufactured in India
4. 
   
   Specified inputs for the manufacture of orthopaedic implants exempted from import duty.
5. Basic customs on Rhodium – a precious metal used for polishing jewellery reduced to 2 per cent.
6. 
   
   Basic customs duty on gold ore and concentrates reduced from 2 per cent ad valorem
   to a specific duty of Rs.140 per 10 grams of gold content with full exemption from
   special additional duty.
7. Value limit of Rs. 1 lakh per annum on duty-free import of commercial samples as personal baggage enhanced to Rs. 3 lakh per annum.
8. Reduction in basic customs duty on long pepper from 70 per cent to 30 per cent;
9. Reduction in basic customs duty on asafoetida from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.