DGFT Extends Minimum Import Price on Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board Until 31 March 2027

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Dated: 05.10.2026

DGFT Extends Minimum Import Price on Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board Until 31 March 2027

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition of ₹67,220 per metric tonne applicable to imports of specified Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board (VPB) products for another six months, up to 31 March 2027.

The measure applies to specified products falling under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy). According to Notification No. 38/2026-27 dated 30 September 2026, all other terms and conditions governing the MIP continue unchanged.

MIP of ₹67,220 per MT Continues

The notification extends the existing MIP condition originally prescribed through Notification No. 26/2025-26 dated 22 August 2025 and subsequently continued through later notifications.
Under the extended framework, imports of the covered Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board products are subject to a Minimum Import Price of ₹67,220 per MT calculated on CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) value.
The extension is effective for a further period of six months, up to 31 March 2027.

HSN Codes Covered

The notification specifically identifies the following ITC (HS) codes:

HSN / ITC (HS) Code	MIP	Extended Until
48059100	₹67,220 per MT on CIF value	31.03.2027
48059200	₹67,220 per MT on CIF value	31.03.2027
48059300	₹67,220 per MT on CIF value	31.03.2027
48109200	₹67,220 per MT on CIF value	31.03.2027
48109900	₹67,220 per MT on CIF value	31.03.2027

These tariff headings should therefore be carefully reviewed by importers dealing in Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board before concluding import contracts or filing Bills of Entry.

Background to the Extension

Notification No. 38/2026-27 has been issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Sections 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

The DGFT notification also refers to the continuation of the measure through:

Notification No. 26/2025-26 dated 22.08.2025; Notification No. 69/2025-26 dated 31.03.2026; Notification No. 14/2026-27 dated 30.04.2026; and Policy Circular No. 04/2025-26 dated 03.09.2026.
The latest notification now extends the MIP condition until 31 March 2027 while maintaining the other terms and conditions prescribed under Notification No. 26/2025-26.

What Does the MIP Mean for Importers?

The MIP operates as an import-policy condition rather than merely as a Customs valuation benchmark. Consequently, importers of products falling within the specified tariff lines need to examine whether the CIF import price satisfies the prescribed threshold of ₹67,220 per MT.
This distinction is commercially important. Businesses should not treat the MIP merely as a reference price for determining Customs duty. It forms part of the conditions governing importation under the ITC (HS) import-policy framework.
Importers should therefore examine the product description, applicable eight-digit ITC (HS) classification, CIF value per MT and the conditions prescribed under the underlying DGFT notification before shipment.

Compliance Implications for the Paper Industry

The extension is particularly relevant for paper and paperboard manufacturers, converters, traders, importers, procurement teams and Customs brokers dealing with Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board.
Businesses should factor the MIP into purchase negotiations and landed-cost calculations before placing overseas orders. Where the contracted CIF price falls below the prescribed MIP, the applicable DGFT import-policy conditions need to be examined before shipment and Customs clearance.
Importers should also avoid assuming that every product falling under one of the listed tariff headings is automatically covered merely because of its HSN classification. The precise product description and scope of the underlying MIP measure remain important because Notification No. 38/2026-27 expressly continues the existing terms and conditions rather than replacing them.

No Change in the MIP Rate

Importantly, the latest notification does not increase or reduce the existing MIP.

The substantive change is the extension of its validity. The applicable MIP continues at:

₹67,220 per MT on CIF value

and will remain in force until:

31 March 2027

unless amended earlier by the Government.

Legal and Trade Significance

The continuation of the MIP demonstrates the Government’s decision to retain price-based import-policy regulation for the specified Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board products for a further six months.
For importers, the extension means that transactions scheduled during the extended period should be reviewed not only from the perspective of Customs classification and valuation but also for DGFT import-policy compliance.
Businesses with long-term supply contracts should particularly examine pricing clauses, shipment schedules and contractual responsibilities where the overseas supplier’s price may fall below the prescribed MIP.

Key Takeaway

Through Notification No. 38/2026-27 dated 30 September 2026, DGFT has extended the ₹67,220 per MT CIF Minimum Import Price applicable to specified Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board imports under HS Codes 48059100, 48059200, 48059300, 48109200 and 48109900 for another six months, up to 31 March 2027. All other terms and conditions of the existing measure continue unchanged.

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

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Source: DGFT

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