DGFT Extends Minimum Import Price on Glufosinate Herbicide to 12 April 2027

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the import-price floor on a widely used herbicide. Notification No. 43/2026-27, dated 12 October 2026, continues the Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition on glufosinate and its salts — originally imposed by Notification No. 10/2026-27 dated 13 April 2026 — now valid until 12 April 2027.

In practice this means imports of glufosinate below the specified price floor remain "Restricted." Importers can only clear the goods freely if the declared import price is at or above the MIP; below it, an import authorisation is required. The MIP has been reported at around ₹1,144 per kg, though importers should confirm the exact figure and unit against the official notification before pricing a consignment.

What Happened

Glufosinate, a popular broad-spectrum weedicide, was placed under an MIP-based import restriction earlier in 2026 for an initial window. Rather than let that measure lapse, DGFT has extended it for roughly a further year, to 12 April 2027. The notification states that all other terms and conditions of the original notification remain unchanged — only the validity period is extended.

The restriction applies across several ITC(HS) 2022 codes in Chapter 38 of Schedule I (Import Policy), covering glufosinate technical and its salt formulations (reported codes include 38089193, 38089199, 38089361, 38089391, 38089399, 38089912, 38089991 and 38089999). Importers should map their exact product to the correct code.

Why / Background

A minimum import price is a trade-defence-style tool: it discourages very low-priced imports that can undercut domestic manufacturers, without an outright ban. For an agrochemical active ingredient where cheap imports are a concern, the MIP gives domestic producers breathing room while still allowing imports priced at or above the floor. Extending it signals the government sees the underlying pricing pressure as ongoing.

Who's Affected

Importers and formulators of glufosinate technical and its salts, agrochemical trading houses, and the CHAs who file their bills of entry. Domestic manufacturers of the molecule are the intended beneficiaries of the continued floor.

Operational Detail

• The MIP condition runs until 12 April 2027.
• Imports at or above the MIP (on a CIF/declared-value basis as specified) are treated as free; imports below the MIP are "Restricted" and need a DGFT authorisation.
• The measure attaches to the specified Chapter 38 ITC(HS) codes for glufosinate and its salts.
• The exact MIP value and unit of measure should be read directly from the notification, as the widely cited ₹1,144/kg figure appears in secondary reporting.

What Importers Should Do Now

• Confirm the exact MIP value and unit in Notification No. 43/2026-27 and check it against your contracted import price.
• Verify the ITC(HS) code for your specific glufosinate product (technical vs salt/formulation) so the right policy condition is applied.
• If your landed price is below the MIP, plan for an import authorisation or renegotiate price terms — do not file a bill of entry below the floor assuming free clearance.
• Review open contracts and letters of credit maturing before April 2027 to ensure pricing complies.

What CHAs Should Do Now

• Build an MIP check into bill-of-entry preparation for Chapter 38 glufosinate lines through 12 April 2027.
• Flag any consignment priced below the floor to the importer before filing, to avoid a held or re-assessed entry.

The Bigger Picture

This extension fits a broader 2026 pattern of India using MIPs and import conditions to shield specific domestic sectors — from virgin multi-layer paper board to select chemicals — while keeping trade otherwise open. For importers, the recurring lesson is that MIPs are not one-off events: they are frequently rolled forward, so pricing and sourcing plans should assume the floor may persist rather than expire on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is glufosinate banned from import? No. It is subject to a minimum import price. Imports at or above the MIP are allowed; below the MIP they are "Restricted" and need authorisation.

How long does the MIP now apply? Until 12 April 2027, under Notification No. 43/2026-27.

What is the MIP amount? It has been reported at about ₹1,144 per kg, but confirm the exact value and unit against the official notification before pricing.

Which products are covered? Glufosinate and its salts under specified ITC(HS) Chapter 38 codes. Match your exact product to the correct code.

Did any other conditions change? No. The notification extends only the validity; all other terms of the original Notification 10/2026-27 continue.

Conclusion

For glufosinate importers, Notification 43/2026-27 removes any doubt that the price floor has lapsed — it runs to 12 April 2027. The safe course is simple: confirm the exact MIP and HS code, and never file a below-floor bill of entry without the required authorisation.

This article is for general guidance only. Verify the exact MIP value, covered codes and conditions against DGFT Notification No. 43/2026-27 on the official DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) before acting.