Revised Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) for Chemical and Allied Products

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has issued Public Notice No. 38/2025-26, dated 17^th December 2025, announcing significant revisions to the Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) for Chemical and Allied Products. These changes are aimed at streamlining the import and export processes, ensuring better compliance, and enhancing the efficiency of trade operations. This blog provides a detailed overview of the revised SIONs and their implications for exporters and importers.

What are SIONs?

Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) are guidelines that specify the quantity of inputs required for the production of a unit of output for export purposes. These norms are crucial for determining the entitlement of duty-free imports under the Advance Authorization Scheme, which is part of India’s Foreign Trade Policy.

Key Highlights of the Revised SIONs

The revised SIONs cover a range of Chemical and Allied Products, including coated paper boards, glass fiber fabric, playing cards, boxes/cartons, printed books, stationery items, lubricants, pigments, and self-adhesive paper. Below are the major updates:

1. Coated Paper Board (K18) 

Input: Base Paper Board of relevant GSM in Jumbo Roll.
Norm: 1.04 kg of input per kg of export product.

2. Glass Fiber Fabric (K34) 

Inputs: Glass Fiber Yarn or Rovin (1 kg/kg content), Polyvinyl Alcohol (0.001 kg/kg content).

3. Playing Cards Plastic Coated (K58) 

Inputs: Cardboard/Art Card Coated (1.10 kg/kg content), Ketonic Resin, Silicon Fluid, Water-Based Coatings, Printing Ink, and Graphic Art Film.
Specific weight percentages are provided for each input.

4. Boxes/Cartons (K65) 

Inputs: Kraft Paper, Paper Board, Polyester Film, HDPE/LDPE/LLDPE Granules, Varnish, and Printing Ink.
Norms specify input quantities and percentages based on the type of material used.

5. Mechanical Glazed Paper (K117) 

Inputs: Paper of Relevant Grade and GSM (1.04 kg/kg content), LDPE (1.02 kg/kg content).

6. Printed Books (A1569) 

Inputs: Printing Paper (1.12 kg/kg for multi-colored, 1.10 kg/kg for single-colored), Paper Board, Printing Ink, Binding Material, PVC/BOPP Film, and Binding Board.
Specific guidelines for mixed/assorted consignments are provided.

7. Stationery Items (A1576, A1579) 

Inputs: Writing/Printing Paper, Glue, Binding Material, PVC/BOPP Film, and Paper Board.
Detailed norms for various types of stationery items, including exercise books, diaries, and notebooks.

8. Perfumed Agarbatti (A1766) 

Input: Unperfumed Raw Agarbatti of relevant size.
Norm: 1.02 units of input per unit of export product.

9. Industrial/Automotive Lubricants (A1806) 

Inputs: Base Mineral Oil and Lube Oil Additives.
Norm: 1.01 kg/kg content for both inputs.

10. Pigment Yellow (A3696) 

Inputs: 2B Acid, 3-Sulpho 1-Phenyl 3-Methyl 5-Pyrazolone, Caustic Soda Flakes, and Sodium Nitrite.
Specific input quantities are provided for each material.

11. Self-Adhesive Paper (A3697) 

Inputs: Thermal Paper, Release Base Paper Glassine, Hydrocarbon Resins, Thermoplastic Elastomer SIS, and Rosin Ester Tackifying Resin.
Norms specify input quantities per square meter of the export item.

General Notes for All Export Product Groups 

The DGFT has also revised Serial No. 8 of the General Notes for All Export Product Groups, which provides overarching guidelines for the application and implementation of SIONs. Key points include:

Specific Norms Prevail Over Generic Norms: If specific norms are provided, they take precedence over generic norms. Applicants must justify the use of generic norms if applied.
Alternative Inputs: In cases where multiple alternative inputs are permitted, applicants must choose one option and specify the required quantity during application.
Accountability for Inputs: Inputs allowed for import must be accounted for in terms of quantity and value. The type and specifications of imported components must match those used in the export product.
Mixed Consignments: Exporters using both coated and uncoated paper in their products can declare the consignment as mixed/assorted and claim entitlements for coated paper up to 50% of their total import quantity.
Validity Period: Certain norms have a limited validity period. Exporters must apply for regularization or re-fixation at least 60 days before the expiry of the validity period.
Specific Input Restrictions: For certain inputs like perfumery compounds, rubber chemicals, miscellaneous chemicals, spin finish oil, and dyes, imports are restricted to specific value or quantity limits.

Effect of the Public Notice 

The revised SIONs and General Notes for all Export Product Groups are effective immediately. Exporters and importers dealing with Chemical and Allied Products must ensure compliance with the updated norms to avoid any discrepancies during the import/export process.

Conclusion

The revision of SIONs and General Notes by the DGFT is a significant step toward enhancing the efficiency and transparency of India’s foreign trade policy. Exporters and importers in the Chemical and Allied Products sector must familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure smooth operations and compliance. For further details, stakeholders can refer to the official Public Notice No. 38/2025-26 or contact the Directorate General of Foreign Trade at dgft@nic.in.

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Source: DGFT

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