Stakeholders voice concern over looming nylon yarn import duties

South Gujarat’s textile manufacturing hub is facing operational uncertainty following recent government recommendations to impose stringent anti-dumping duties on imported nylon filament yarn. With the Ministry of Commerce and Industry proposing levies ranging from $236 to $827 per metric ton on imports from China and Vietnam, local weavers and garment manufacturers warn of impending cost-push inflation. They argue, aimed at protecting domestic fiber producers, these duties may inadvertently erode the cost-competitiveness of downstream textile units that rely on consistent access to global yarn specifications.

The friction highlights a tension between domestic fiber manufacturers, such as Century Enka and Gujarat Polyfilms, and the massive MSME weaver base in Surat. Industry associations have expressed apprehension, raising input costs via Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) or potential increases in basic customs duty could disrupt narrow-margin export orders. India’s competitiveness in global markets depends on affordable, high-quality raw materials, notes a regional industry representative.  While the government maintains these measures are necessary to curb unfair trade practices, the industry is calling for a balanced approach to prevent supply chain disruptions, similar to the relief recently provided through the suspension of cotton import duties to stabilize domestic pricing and production costs.