Domestic Industry Alleges Chinese Exporters Absorbing Anti Dumping on Pesticides Glufosinate, DGTR Initiates Review to Increase Duty Imports from China

Ø  Anti-dumping Duty of US$ 2998 Imposed on Weedicide Glufosinate and Its Salt’ from China Notified for Five Years on Complaint of UPL Ltd Plus Four Entities - Notification No. 09/2025-Customs (ADD) dated 8 May, 2025

1.    Investigation Initiated:
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated an anti-absorption investigation concerning anti-dumping duty imposed on Glufosinate and its salts imported from China.

2.    Legal Framework:
The review is initiated under:

o    Section 9A(1B) of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975

o    Rules 29, 30, and 31 of the Anti-Dumping Rules, 1995

3.    Applicants (Domestic Industry):
The application was filed by:

o    Superform Chemistries Limited

o    UPL Limited

o    Arysta Life Sciences India Limited

o    United Phosphorus (India) LLP

o    UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited

o    SWAL Corporation Limited
These companies constitute the domestic industry producing Glufosinate technical in India.

4.    Existing Anti-Dumping Duty:
Anti-dumping duty was imposed vide Notification No. 09/2025-Customs (ADD) dated 8 May 2025, following DGTR’s final findings dated 10 February 2025.

5.    Product Under Consideration (PUC):

o    Glufosinate and its salts in both technical and formulation forms

o    Herbicide belonging to phosphinic acid (organophosphorus) family

o    Covered under multiple HS Codes (e.g., 38089193, 38089399, 38089912, etc.)

6.    Grounds for Anti-Absorption Review:
The domestic industry claims:

o    Significant decline in export price from China post imposition of ADD

o    Decline not commensurate with raw material price reduction

o    Increase in dumping margin and injury margin

o    Existing ADD may have been absorbed by exporters, rendering it ineffective

7.    Period of Absorption Investigation:

o    January 2025 to September 2025 (9 months)

o    Compared with original investigation period (Jan–Dec 2023)

8.    Scope of Review:
Limited to examining:

o    Whether export price has declined

o    Whether decline is due to raw material cost reduction

o    Whether modification of form/quantum of duty is required

9.    Possible Outcomes:
DGTR may recommend:

o    Modification in quantum of ADD

o    Change in form/basis of duty

o    Retrospective application from date of initiation (if justified)

10.  Provisional Assessment Recommended:
DGTR has recommended provisional assessment of imports pending completion of the review.

11.  Submission & Timeline:

o    Interested parties must register and file submissions on the SETU Portal

o    Responses (confidential and non-confidential versions) must be filed within 37 days

o    Non-cooperation may lead to findings based on available facts

Overall Implication:

If absorption is established, anti-dumping duties on Glufosinate imports from China may be revised upward or modified in structure, potentially increasing import costs and strengthening protection for the Indian domestic industry.

[DGTR Initiation Notification Case No.- AD(AA) – 01/2026 dated 2 March, 2026]