Medical Device Industry Seeks Protection Amid Surge in Chinese Imports

The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has urged the government to take immediate steps to protect the domestic medical device sector from a sharp rise in imports. In a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, AiMeD has recommended either safeguard duties or an increase in basic customs duties on 11 critical medical products, citing an alarming surge in imports, especially from countries like China, Germany, Singapore, the US, and the Netherlands. According to AiMeD, China alone accounts for 33.47% of the overall rise in imports, making it the biggest contributor to the pressure faced by Indian manufacturers.

AiMeD submitted a detailed analysis of key products experiencing substantial import growth:

1. X-Ray Contrast Agents (HS Code 30063000): Imports rose 39%, from $47 million to $65 million, with major increases from China (46%), Germany (8%), Singapore (53%), and the Netherlands (233%).
2. Dental Cement (HS Code 30064000): A 17% increase, primarily from Germany, Japan, Korea, and France.
3. Diagnostic Reagent Kits (HS Code 38221990): Up by 26%, from $377 million to $474 million, with sharp spikes from the US, China, Germany, Singapore, Netherlands, and others.
4. Linear Ultrasound Scanners (HS Code 90181210): Rose by 39% to $40 million, mainly from China, the US, Japan, and Korea.
5. Syringes & Needles (HS Code 90183100): Jumped 85%, from $68 million to $125 million, with key contributors including the US, Singapore, and several European countries.
6. Hollow Needles (HS Code 90183220): Saw a 55% rise, reaching $26 million, largely from the US, Germany, and Singapore.
7. Other Surgical Tools (HS Code 90189029): Increased by 49%, with notable contributions from Switzerland (718%), the Netherlands, China, and others.
8. Endoscopes (HS Code 90189044): Imports climbed 22% to $67 million, with top sources being China, the US, Germany, and Japan.
9. Oxygen Therapy Equipment (HS Code 90192010): Rose by 34% to $28 million, with imports from Germany surging by 270%.
10. Orthopaedic/Fracture Devices (HS Code 90211000): A 50% increase, reaching $40 million, mainly from China, the US, and Germany.
11. CT Scanners (HS Code 90221200): Up 46% to $127 million, driven by imports from the US, Germany (191%), and the Netherlands.

In a separate communication dated April 11, the Indian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (IRGMA) raised concerns with the Drugs Controller General of India, Dr. Rajeev Raghuvanshi, about the risk of low-quality glove dumping in India. The association warned that countries like China are trying to offload excess stock of obsolete and substandard chlorinated gloves—many of which are not BIS-compliant—by targeting countries like India that lack strong import restrictions on such products.

The IRGMA letter pointed out that some importers are bringing in near-expiry or expired gloves from countries like Malaysia and selling them in India at $15 per 1,000 units—cheaper than international market rates but detrimental to domestic manufacturers. These gloves, originally rejected by countries like the US, are reportedly being dumped in India at $10–$12 per 1,000 pieces.

In response to growing trade-related challenges, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched a dedicated Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk. This platform aims to assist stakeholders in navigating complex trade scenarios, including import-export challenges, dumping, clearance issues, logistics, regulatory compliance, and financial concerns. It also acts as a coordination hub, collecting feedback and liaising with various ministries and state governments to help resolve trade-related issues.

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