NEW DELHI — The Indian government has intervened in the domestic glass market by establishing a minimum import price (MIP) on clear float glass. Under a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on August 18, 2026, the import policy for clear float glass ranging from 4 mm to 12 mm in thickness has been shifted from "Free" to "Restricted."
The newly introduced measure sets a price floor of ₹34,000 per metric tonne on a CIF basis. Shipments arriving at or above this valuation will continue to be permitted under the normal course of trade. However, any imports priced below the ₹34,000 threshold will face the newly enforced restrictions. The policy covers two distinct categories of non-wired clear float glass under Chapter 70 of India's import policy, specifically operating under ITC (HS) codes 70051090 and 70052990.
According to the DGFT notification, the minimum import price will remain in force for exactly one year from the date of its publication. The policy adjustment is anticipated to directly impact lower-priced shipments entering the Indian market, while offering a measure of protection to domestic manufacturers by mitigating competitive pressure from cheaper foreign material.
Among the primary domestic beneficiaries of this regulatory shift are major market players including Saint-Gobain and Asahi India, who have faced pricing pressures from lower-cost imports.
The government has also outlined specific exemptions under the new framework. Imports conducted by Advance Authorisation holders, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and manufacturing units operating within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are exempt from the MIP requirement. This exemption remains conditional on the imported material being utilized within the designated operations and not subsequently sold into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
Rather than implementing an outright ban on foreign shipments, the DGFT's regulatory approach relies entirely on a price benchmark to regulate the influx of overseas clear float glass into the country.
"The introduction of a minimum import price on clear float glass is a strategic regulatory step to safeguard domestic manufacturing interests against lower-priced foreign shipments. By setting a price floor of ₹34,000 per metric tonne rather than a complete ban, the policy balances import accessibility with fair competition for established domestic producers like Saint-Gobain and Asahi India. Exemptions for export-oriented units and SEZs further ensure that downstream export competitiveness remains protected during this one-year period." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
