India tightens scrutiny of Chinese herbicide imports

Synopsis

India is intensifying its watch on glufosinate imports from China, a crucial herbicide. Authorities are investigating if Chinese exporters are trying to bypass anti-dumping duties by adjusting prices. This move aims to protect domestic manufacturers. Meanwhile, anti-dumping duties on butyl alcohol from the US, Malaysia and South Africa have been extended.

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New Delhi: India has tightened scrutiny of imports of glufosinate and its salts, a key herbicide from China, by placing them under provisional customs assessment while authorities investigate whether exporters are absorbing anti-dumping duties to dilute their impact.

The Department of Revenue has directed customs authorities to provisionally assess imports of the herbicide pending the outcome of an anti-absorption review initiated by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). Importers will continue to pay the existing anti-dumping duty but will also have to furnish financial guarantees to cover any additional duty that may be imposed after the review.

The move follows a prima facie finding by the DGTR that Chinese exporters may have lowered export prices or adopted other pricing strategies to offset anti-dumping duties imposed in May 2025, potentially undermining the protection intended for domestic manufacturers.

Glufosinate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used to control weeds in crops such as maize, soya bean, cotton and canola, as well as in large-scale commercial farming.

In a separate notification, the government extended anti-dumping duties on imports of butyl alcohol from the US, Malaysia and South Africa for another five years to safeguard domestic producers.

Duty exemption for animals

The government on Saturday also notified a customs exemption allowing specified animals to be brought into the country without payment of customs duty or integrated GST for participation in international events, exhibitions and select official functions under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).