India recommends anti-dumping duties on Malaysian, Thai rubber gloves

New Delhi – India has recommended anti-dumping duties on medical examination rubber gloves imported from Malaysia and Thailand, following an investigation into the impact of low-priced imports on domestic manufacturers.

In final findings issued 6 Nov, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended duties ranging from $288 to $565 per 100,000 gloves for a period of five years.

The investigation, initiated in September 2025 following a complaint by Indian manufacturers Navco Industries and Wadi Surgicals, covered gloves made from natural rubber latex, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex or blends of the two.

In its final determination, DGTR found that the gloves had been imported "at prices below [their] normal value," causing "material injury" to India's domestic manufacturers.

According to the authority, imports from the two countries increased 38% year-on-year to 4.21 billion gloves during the investigation period, April 2024 to March 2025.

The imports accounted for around 81% of Indian consumption, which reached 5.18 billion gloves during the period.

DGTR found that domestic producers continued to operate at low capacity utilisation rates of 25–35%, despite growing demand and available manufacturing capacity.

The authority found "significant price undercutting" by imported gloves, while domestic manufacturers continued to suffer "cash losses."

Under its recommendations, Malaysian producer YTY Industry would face a duty of $442 per 100,000 gloves, while other Malaysian suppliers would be subject to a $565 rate.

For Thailand, DGTR proposed a duty of $288 per 100,000 gloves for Sri Trang Gloves, with a rate of $486 applicable to other suppliers.

The authority concluded that anti-dumping measures were necessary to offset injury to domestic manufacturers and restore "fair competition" in the Indian market.

The recommendations cover medical examination gloves, excluding surgical, industrial, household, vinyl, chlorinated and neoprene gloves.

The proposed duties remain subject to a final decision and notification by India's central government.