The Central government has adjusted export levies on petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the upcoming fortnight starting June 1. The duty rates have been set at Rs 1.5 per litre for petrol exports, Rs 13.5 per litre for diesel exports, and Rs 9.5 per litre for ATF exports, according to an official notification.
In contrast, excise duty rates on petrol and diesel sales within the country remain unchanged. The revised rates are determined based on the average international prices of crude oil, petrol, diesel, and ATF during the period since the last review, as per the notification.
The export levies were initially introduced on March 27, 2026, to ensure the availability of petroleum products domestically by discouraging exports amidst the West Asia crisis. The most recent revision came into effect on May 16, 2026.
On May 16, the government modified export taxes on petroleum products by imposing a special additional excise duty (SAED) of Rs 3 per litre on petrol exports and reducing the duty on diesel to Rs 16.5 per litre. The Ministry of Finance’s notification specified the changes for petrol and diesel exports, including adjustments to the road and infrastructure cess.
Previously, the export duty on diesel underwent several revisions, starting at Rs 21.50 per litre on March 26, then increasing to Rs 55.5 per litre on April 11, and subsequently being reduced to Rs 23 per litre on April 30, with the latest reduction to Rs 16.5 per litre.
Likewise, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) experienced similar fluctuations in duty rates, initially set at Rs 29.5 per litre, then raised to Rs 42 per litre, later reduced to Rs 33 per litre, and now lowered to Rs 16 per litre. These adjustments align with the windfall tax framework aimed at ensuring adequate domestic fuel availability and curbing exports amid volatile global oil markets influenced by the West Asia crisis.
