DGFT Imposes Import Restrictions on Penicillin, 6-APA & Amoxycillin Below Minimum Price Threshold [Read Notification]
DGFT has imposed a one-year minimum price-based restriction on imports of Penicillin, 6-APA and Amoxycillin to curb low-priced imports and support domestic manufacturers.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Notification No. 56/2025-26 dated 29 January 2026 amending India’s import policy for certain key antibiotic raw materials. The notification places price-based import restrictions on Penicillin, 6-APA and Amoxycillin falling under Chapter 29 of the ITC (HS) classification.
The notification has been published in the Gazette of India and takes effect immediately.
Key Highlights
The DGFT has introduced a Minimum Import Price (MIP) for specific pharmaceutical inputs. Imports below the notified price levels will be treated as “Restricted”, even though the items otherwise fall under the “Free” import category.
The move is aimed at preventing very low-priced imports and supporting domestic manufacturers of bulk drugs.
Products covered and price limits
The following restrictions apply:
Penicillin G-Potassium (PEN-G)
- Imports with CIF value below Rs 2,216 per kilogram are restricted.
6-APA (6-Aminopenicillanic Acid)
- Imports with CIF value below Rs 3,405 per kilogram are restricted.
Amoxycillin Trihydrate
- Imports with CIF value below Rs 2,733 per kilogram are restricted.
All imports of these items will continue to be subject to registration and regulatory requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, as administered by the Drugs Controller General of India.
Who gets exemption
The DGFT has clarified that the minimum price restriction will not apply to:
- 100 percent Export Oriented Units (EOUs)
- Units operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
- Imports made under the Advance Authorisation Scheme
This exemption is available only if the imported inputs are not sold in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
Duration of restriction
The restrictions will remain in force for a period of one year from the date of publication of the notification, unless withdrawn or extended earlier by the government.
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