Ahead of the Union Budget 2026, which is set to be presented on February 1, direct selling major Amway India has called for food and dietary supplements to be formally recognised as an integral part of overall wellness, while urging the government to rationalise customs duties on imported supplements and key ingredients.Amway India managing director Rajneesh Chopra said the 2025 GST rationalisation proved to be a “game changer” for India’s nutraceutical sector by simplifying tax structures and providing relief to consumers. According to news agency PTI, he said Budget 2026 offers a timely opportunity to further strengthen India’s health and wellness ecosystem as the country moves towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Customs duty relief, boost to Make in India
Chopra said the budget should focus on simplifying and rationalising customs duty slabs on imported supplements and ingredients used in nutraceutical, beauty and personal care products. He noted that most of Amway’s essential imports—both finished products and raw materials—currently attract customs duties of around 50 per cent.According to Chopra, rationalisation would enhance India’s trade competitiveness, encourage local manufacturing and boost exports in line with the Make in India initiative. He added that this should be supported through Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, targeted tax benefits and export-linked incentives to help Indian companies expand globally.
Tax relief for small sellers, focus on research
Chopra also suggested introducing lower income tax slabs for small businesses such as direct sellers and sole proprietors, similar to the fiscal support provided to start-ups through deferred taxation. He said such a move would promote grassroots entrepreneurship and enable wider participation in formal economic growth, particularly among women and those in smaller towns.In addition, he called for dedicated budgetary support for clinical research and evidence-based nutrition. This, he said, would help strengthen consumer trust and improve the global credibility of Indian-made supplements, positioning India as a science-led hub for preventive health and long-term well-being, as per PTI.
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