Regarding Tariffs
Updated as of February 22nd, 2026
Updated as of February 17th, 2026
Initially published September, 2025
In short:
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We had ordered extra quantities of basic necessities like lentils, spices, rice, and flour. This backstock and pre-tariff prices lasted 2-3 months
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Prices will only increase if costs increase
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Costs will only change if the White House does it
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The tariff was reduced from 25% to 18% in February 2026. Prices are expected to drop at New India Bazar ideally in mid March
- The Federal government has now introduced a global 10% tariff, followed the very next day by a 15% tariff. This is good news for us, as the tariff on Indian imports maxes out at this level, and not 18%, as it was a few days ago
What are the new tariffs?
As of February 22, the Judicial branch of the US government decided that the original legal mechanism used by the Federal branch was improper, and has immediately voided the individual, country-based tariffs. So if country A has a 30% tariff, and country B has a 45% tariff, those are all now voided.
In response, the Federal government decided to introduce a 10% 'global' tariff under a new legal mechanism, followed the next day by a 15% global tariff, the maximum allowed under that new legal mechanism. So that means that both country A and country B have a tariff of 15%.
That means that the tariff on Indian imports should now drop to 15%. We still expect to see those price changes in mid-March, if the legal changes take place as expected.
What are the tariffs on Indian imported goods?
As of September 1st, 2025, an executive order decreed by the White House (not Congress, as per the Constitution) has levied a 25-50% tariff on all goods imported to the United States from India.
In September 2025, the official White House page indicated a 25% tariff on India, but there wer reports that they were actually 50% on specific items. These conflicting reports caused specific suppliers to pre-emptively raise prices.
As of February 2026, the tariffs were declared to be lowered to 18%. The positive impact on lowered prices should be seen with importers in a few weeks, and will spread to us and you, our community, at around the same time. Our timeframe for lowered prices is between mid-March, and late April.
We're just as unhappy with the tariffs as you are. It's especially unpleasant when a customer is unaware of the tariffs. If the tariffs are lowered, we will be more than happy to reduce prices.
How come your prices are still low?
(As of September 2025)
To help ease the transition for you, our community, we have ordered large quantities of basic, necessary staples: lentils, rice, flour, and spices at pre-tariff prices.
For the next 2-3 months, or as our backstock lasts, we will be selling at pre-tariff prices.
When do the tariffs on Indian imports go into effect?
(As of September 2025)
It is honestly unclear. News sites report that the tariff on India goes into effect on September 1st, 2025, but the official White House page does not give a clear indication. Suppliers and importers are, as well, unsure about the specifics of this executive order, which makes it increasingly difficult to do business. Hopefully, things will work out and there will be clear communication about when and how much the tariffs will go into effect.
(As of February 2026)
Ideally the 18% tariff will be applied right away. The 'fact sheet' from the White House is relatively unclear on the timeline.
How much will prices change at New India Bazar?
We will do our absolute best to keep prices affordable. We will only be increasing prices if the cost increases. The costs will change depending on whatever tariff is decided by the White House.
Will prices go down?
If the tariffs go away, and the costs go down, then we will be more than happy to lower prices again. Lower prices help us as a business as much as they help you, our friends, neighbors, and community.