The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, has announced a revision in the import policy for synthetic knitted fabrics under ITC (HS) Code 60053600. This update partially modifies the provisions of Notification No. 05/2025-26 dated 23rd April 2025, which prescribed a Minimum Import Price (MIP) for certain fabric categories.
Background:
The Government had earlier imposed MIP restrictions on the import of synthetic knitted fabrics through a series of notifications, including:
- Notification No. 77/2023 dated 16th March 2024
- Notification No. 33/2024-25 dated 1st October 2024
- Notification No. 49/2024-25 dated 4th January 2025
- Notification No. 05/2025-26 dated 23rd April 2025
These measures were implemented to regulate imports, prevent undervaluation, and support domestic textile manufacturers.
Revised Import Policy:
ITC (HS) Code | Item Description | Import Policy | Existing Policy Condition | Revised Policy Condition |
60053600 | Of synthetic fibres: — Other, unbleached or bleached | Restricted | However, Import is ‘Free’ if CIF value is 3.5 US Dollar and above per Kilogram | Import is ‘Free’ if CIF value is 3.5 US Dollar and above per Kilogram. However, Import of fabrics falling within the 28 to 48 grams per square meter (GSM) range is exempted from the above Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition |
Key Points:
- Import Policy Status: Remains “Restricted” under ITC (HS) Code 60053600.
- MIP Requirement: USD 3.5/kg continues to apply for imports of synthetic knitted fabrics.
- Exemption Introduced: Fabrics with a GSM (grams per square meter) range of 28 to 48 are exempted from the MIP requirement.
- Other Codes: No change in the MIP condition for other ITC (HS) codes notified under Notification No. 05/2025-26.
- Special Exemptions: Imports by Advance Authorisation holders, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and SEZ units remain exempted from MIP, provided the imported goods are not sold in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
Effect of the Notification:
The import of Synthetic Knitted Fabrics under ITC (HS) Code 60053600 remains restricted and subject to the MIP of USD 3.5/kg, with an exception for lighter fabrics (28–48 GSM), allowing flexibility for specialized textile segments.
Notification Reference: DGFT
Notification No. 46/2025 –26
21 /10 /2025