The DGTR Rubber Glove Duty recommendation has become an important development in India’s import and trade policy. On 9 November 2026, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recommended imposing a five-year anti-dumping duty on medical examination rubber gloves imported from Thailand and Malaysia. The proposal aims to protect India’s growing domestic rubber glove industry from unfair competition caused by low-priced imports.

The recommended duty rates vary depending on the country and the manufacturer. However, the final decision on imposing these duties rests with the Ministry of Finance. If approved, the measure will help domestic manufacturers compete more fairly with imported products and support the development of India’s medical equipment industry.

What Is the DGTR Rubber Glove Duty Recommendation?

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is an investigative body under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It examines complaints related to unfair international trade practices and recommends suitable trade protection measures.

In the latest case, the DGTR investigated medical examination rubber gloves imported from Thailand and Malaysia. It found that certain imported products were being sold in India at prices lower than their normal value in the exporting countries.

This practice is known as dumping. When imported products are sold at unfairly low prices, domestic manufacturers may find it difficult to compete. As a result, local businesses may experience financial losses and reduced market opportunities.

Following its investigation, the DGTR recommended an anti-dumping duty for five years. The proposed measure is intended to reduce the impact of unfairly priced imports and create better market conditions for Indian manufacturers.

Proposed Anti-Dumping Duty Rates on Rubber Gloves

The DGTR has recommended different duty rates for manufacturers in Thailand and Malaysia. The proposed charges are calculated for every 1,000 pieces of imported gloves.

The recommended rates are:

YTY Industry Sdn Bhd, Malaysia: USD 4.42 per 1,000 pieces.
Other Malaysian producers: USD 5.65 per 1,000 pieces.
Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Ltd: USD 2.88 per 1,000 pieces.
Other Thai producers: USD 4.86 per 1,000 pieces.

These rates are based on the investigation and the findings related to individual companies and other producers in the two countries.

The proposed duties will apply for five years if the Ministry of Finance approves the recommendation. The final decision is important because the DGTR investigates trade-related complaints and recommends measures, while the Finance Ministry decides whether to impose the duties.

Which Rubber Gloves Are Covered Under the Recommendation?

The proposed DGTR Rubber Glove Duty covers medical examination gloves manufactured using specific types of rubber materials.

The products included in the investigation are:

Gloves made from nitrile butadiene rubber latex.
Gloves made from natural rubber latex.
Gloves manufactured using a blend of these materials.

However, the recommendation does not cover every type of rubber or protective glove. Several categories have been excluded from the proposed measure.

These exclusions include surgical gloves, industrial gloves, household gloves, vinyl gloves, chlorinated gloves and neoprene gloves.

Medical examination gloves are commonly used by doctors, nurses, laboratory workers and healthcare professionals during patient examinations. They help reduce direct contact with body fluids and other potentially harmful substances.

Why Did DGTR Recommend Anti-Dumping Duties?

The investigation began on 30 September 2025 after applications were submitted by two Indian manufacturers, Navco Industries and Wadi Surgicals.

These companies raised concerns about the impact of imported rubber examination gloves on India’s domestic manufacturing industry.

The DGTR examined the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 to understand the extent of dumping and its effect on Indian producers.

During the investigation, the authority found that dumped imports had caused material injury to India’s developing domestic rubber glove industry.

Material injury means that unfairly priced imports have caused significant harm to domestic producers, affecting their business performance and ability to compete.

The DGTR stated that the proposed anti-dumping duty would help restore fair competition in the Indian market. It also assessed the possible impact on users and consumers and indicated that the effect of the measure would not be significant.

Importance of the Duty for India’s Domestic Medical Industry

India’s healthcare industry depends on a regular supply of medical equipment and protective products. Examination gloves are widely used in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, laboratories and other healthcare facilities.

A large number of healthcare workers use these gloves to maintain hygiene and reduce the risk of infection during medical procedures.

The proposed DGTR Rubber Glove Duty is expected to support Indian manufacturers by addressing the price advantage of dumped imported products.

If the recommendation is approved, domestic companies may get better opportunities to compete in the Indian market. It could also encourage investment in manufacturing facilities, production technology and product quality.

The development is also connected with India’s broader efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce excessive dependence on imported medical products.

However, maintaining an affordable supply of examination gloves will remain important because hospitals and healthcare centres require these products in large quantities.

Understanding Anti-Dumping Duty

An anti-dumping duty is an additional import tax imposed to protect domestic industries from unfairly priced foreign products.

Dumping happens when a company exports a product at a price lower than its normal value in its home market. This can create difficulties for manufacturers in the importing country.

India uses anti-dumping measures to address such trade practices and maintain fair competition.

The DGTR investigates complaints, collects information from exporters, importers and domestic producers, and examines whether imports have caused injury to local industries.

Apart from anti-dumping duties, the DGTR also investigates two other important trade protection measures:

Countervailing Duty: This measure is used to address the harmful effects of subsidies provided by foreign governments to their domestic industries.

Safeguard Measures: These measures are designed to protect domestic industries when a sudden increase in imports causes or threatens serious injury.

These trade measures help India respond to different challenges arising from international trade.

Difference Between Examination Gloves and Surgical Gloves

Examination gloves and surgical gloves are both used in healthcare settings, but they serve different purposes.

Examination gloves are used during routine medical activities such as patient check-ups, blood sample collection and basic clinical examinations. They may be sterile or non-sterile, depending on their intended use.

Surgical gloves are specially designed for surgical procedures and are generally sterile. They are manufactured to meet specific standards of protection, fit and sensitivity required during operations.

The DGTR recommendation specifically covers certain medical examination rubber gloves and excludes surgical gloves.

Nitrile and Natural Rubber Gloves in Healthcare

Nitrile and natural rubber latex are two important materials used in manufacturing medical examination gloves.

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber. They are known for their resistance to tearing, punctures and many chemicals. They are also commonly used by healthcare workers who need latex-free alternatives.

Natural rubber latex gloves are made from natural rubber and are known for their flexibility and comfortable fit. However, some people may experience allergic reactions to natural latex proteins.

Both materials are widely used in medical and laboratory environments because they provide a protective barrier during different activities.

The DGTR’s latest recommendation focuses on these materials and their use in medical examination gloves imported from Thailand and Malaysia.