DGFT Notifies Four New SIONs for Doxycycline and Clobetasol Exports Under Advance Authorisation

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified four new Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) for pharmaceutical exports, covering doxycycline tablets and clobetasol propionate. The change is made through Public Notice No. 36/2026-27, dated 23 October 2026, issued under paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. The stated purpose is to "facilitate expeditious issuance of Advance Authorisations" and to ensure uniform application of norms across DGFT's Regional Authorities.

If you export these formulations and rely on duty-free imported inputs, this removes a common bottleneck in your Advance Authorisation applications.

What Happened

DGFT has added four SIONs under the "Chemical and Allied Products" product group (Product Code 'A'):

• A-3715 — Doxycycline tablets, 50 mg, 100-count: import of Doxycycline USP (monohydrate) at 54.84 mg per tablet
• A-3716 — Doxycycline tablets, 100 mg, 50-count: import of Doxycycline USP (monohydrate) at 109.68 mg per tablet
• A-3717 — Doxycycline tablets, 100 mg, 500-count: import of Doxycycline USP (monohydrate) at 109.68 mg per tablet
• A-3718 — Clobetasol propionate BP/EP/USP (1 kg export): import of Betamethasone 17-propionate at 1.08 kg

Each SION fixes the quantity of a specific imported input permitted, duty-free, per unit of the exported product.

Why / Background

A SION is a benchmark that defines how much of an input is needed to make one unit of an export product. Under the Advance Authorisation scheme, an exporter can import inputs without paying customs duty, provided those inputs are physically incorporated into goods that are then exported. Where a published SION exists, the Regional Authority can issue the Advance Authorisation quickly against that standard. Where no SION exists, the exporter must apply on an ad-hoc or self-declared basis, which takes longer and invites case-by-case scrutiny and inconsistent treatment across offices.

By publishing these four norms, DGFT gives pharma exporters of doxycycline and clobetasol a ready reference, cutting application time and reducing the risk of divergent decisions between Regional Authorities.

Who Benefits

• Pharmaceutical exporters of doxycycline tablets (50 mg and 100 mg packs) and clobetasol propionate who import the active pharmaceutical ingredient or key intermediate.
• Exporters currently applying under ad-hoc norms for these products, who can now cite a standard SION instead.
• DGFT Regional Authorities, who gain a uniform basis for assessing these applications.

What Pharma Exporters Should Do Now

• Map your product to the right SION. Match your exact pack size and strength (50 mg/100-count, 100 mg/50-count, 100 mg/500-count, or clobetasol propionate) to A-3715, A-3716, A-3717 or A-3718.
• Recalculate your input entitlement. Use the notified input quantity (for example, 109.68 mg of Doxycycline USP monohydrate per 100 mg tablet) when sizing your Advance Authorisation.
• Switch pending applications where possible. If you have an ad-hoc norm application in progress for these products, check whether moving to the new SION speeds up issuance.
• Keep input-output documentation tight. Retain batch records, bills of material and consumption data to demonstrate that imported inputs are actually incorporated into exports, as required for export-obligation fulfilment.
• Confirm the HS classification of both the export product and the imported input on your application, and align it with your shipping bills and bills of entry.

The Bigger Picture

SION notifications rarely make headlines, but they are the quiet machinery that keeps India's pharmaceutical export engine running duty-efficiently. India is one of the world's largest suppliers of generic formulations, and doxycycline and clobetasol are high-volume products. Standardising their norms reduces friction at the application stage and signals DGFT's continuing effort to make the Advance Authorisation route faster and more predictable for exporters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SION? A Standard Input Output Norm is a government-published benchmark specifying the quantity of each input required to produce one unit of an export product. It underpins duty-free input imports under the Advance Authorisation scheme.

Do I have to use these SIONs? If a notified SION matches your product, it is the standard basis for your Advance Authorisation and generally the fastest route. Exporters whose products do not match can still apply under ad-hoc norms.

Does this change the duty-free benefit itself? No. It standardises the input quantities for these specific products. The underlying Advance Authorisation benefit — duty-free import of inputs against an export obligation — is unchanged.

Which input is allowed for clobetasol propionate? SION A-3718 permits import of Betamethasone 17-propionate at 1.08 kg per 1 kg of clobetasol propionate exported.

Conclusion

For exporters of doxycycline tablets and clobetasol propionate, this is a practical, cost-relevant update: faster Advance Authorisations and consistent treatment across DGFT offices. Match your product to the correct SION, size your authorisation to the notified input quantities, and keep your input-output records audit-ready.

This article is for general guidance only. Verify the SION numbers, input quantities and conditions against DGFT Public Notice No. 36/2026-27 on the official DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in before acting.