On March 4, 2014, the Indian Directorate General of safeguards initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of sodium citrate.
The product subject to investigation is classified under the following HS code: 2918.1520.
This follows the application lodged by M/s. Posy Pharmachem Private Limited, which accounts for 46% of the domestic production of the subject good, with the support of M/s Sunil Chemicals, which accounts for 44% of the domestic production of the subject good.
According to the UN Comtrade Database, in 2013 the following countries exported goods classified under HS code subheading 2918.15 to India with a trade value over USD 1 million: China (USD 4.50 million), Germany (USD 2.23 million) and the United States of America (USD 1.14 million).
On September 16, 2014, the Indian Directorate General of safeguards issued its final findings and recommended the imposition of a safeguard duty on imports of sodium citrate for a period of three years. It recommended a duty of 55% during the first year, 50% during the second year and 40% during the third year.
On December 31, 2014, the Indian Ministry of Finance issued the Customs Notification imposing this definitive safeguard duty (Notification No. 04/2014-Customs (SG), 31.12.2014). This duty is enforced for a period of three years. The rate of the duty during the first year (i.e. up to December 30, 2015 inclusive) is 30%. The rate of the duty during the second year (i.e. up to December 30, 2016 inclusive) is 20%. The rate of the duty during the third and last year (i.e. up to December 30, 2017 inclusive) is 10%.