The term "imperial preference" was applied to the special privileges on British imports in India.

During the colonial era, the British Empire implemented various economic policies to benefit their own interests, one of which was "imperial preference." It referred to the system where British goods were given preferential treatment in the colonies, including India. This meant that British imports enjoyed certain advantages over imports from other countries.

Under imperial preference, tariffs and duties were often lower or exempted for British goods, making them more competitive in the Indian market compared to goods from other nations. This policy aimed to promote British industries and maintain their economic dominance in the colonies.

Imperial preference can be seen as a form of economic discrimination that favored British products over domestic or foreign goods, limiting the growth of Indian industries and hindering their competitiveness. It reflected the colonial power dynamic and the subordination of Indian economic interests to those of the British Empire.