Books export to US safe from 50% tariff, for now

The tariff structure on Indian goods combines a baseline 10% duty with a 25% reciprocal tariff, which was announced by Trump on 2 April 2025, and an additional 25% tariff effective 21 days after 7 August 2025. Unlike China, which faces a 30% tariff, or Vietnam and the Philippines at 20%, India and Brazil face the highest rate of 50%. 

There are some exemptions that apply to pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, energy resources (crude oil, natural gas), and critical minerals, sparing key sectors like India’s generic drug exports, which account for 50% of the US market. 

The tariffs were the highest the US charged on any of its other trading partners. This high tariffs has caused a lot of worry in India because it puts the country’s USD 87-billion worth of exports to the US at risk and is making the relationship between the two countries tense.

The US and India share a robust trade relationship, with bilateral trade reaching USD 190-billion in 2024. India’s top 3 exports to the US include pharmaceuticals USD 8.1-billion), telecom instruments (USD 6.5-billion), precious stones (USD 5.3-billion) while the US runs a USD 45.7-billion trade deficit with India.

Historically, trade negotiations have aimed to address this imbalance, with India reducing tariffs on US goods like bourbon whiskey and motorcycles.

Because of this tariff, the sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, leather, marine products, chemicals, and auto components face significant exposure, with 55% of India’s US-bound exports at risk.

The tariffs threaten India’s USD 434-billion export engine, with USD 87-billion directed to the US, equivalent to 2.5% of India’s GDP. Industry estimates suggest a USD 4-5-billion drop in engineering exports alone, while overall GDP growth could decline by 0.2–0.5%, with forecasts revised from 6.5% to as low as 6%. 

Books in the safe zone

Amidst this grim situation, there is a silver lining for book printers who export to the US, as the US has no tax for imports of  printed books. However, according to sources at Bindwel, stationery will come under the new tariff regime.

This is likely to affect companies like Navneet, which has 50 years of experience in books and stationery and more than 20 years of experience in international business. Over the years, it has evolved as one of the major suppliers of scholastic and office stationery products across the world. With more than 500 stock keeping units, Navneet is one of the largest paper stationery brands in India with a leadership position in premiere stationery markets such as India, Middle East, parts of Africa, USA, and Europe.

According to sources at HarperCollins India, publishers in the US are using HSN for instructional material for books to get exempted. Bibles (religious text) are already exempted and Bibles (largely mono) are one big growth area for India. 

A source at Penguin Random House also stated that there was no tariff until last month. 

A source PrintWeek contacted, said, “We understand as on date as per available information, reciprocal tariff of either 25% or 50% imposed on India is not applicable for printed books and other information materials, since these materials continue to be part of Annexure II to the executive order (exclusions to the reciprocal tariff).

As per Section 3 ( C) of the executive order dated 6 August 2025, “The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are set forth in Annex II to Executive Order 14257 of 2 April, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended.”