Anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Certain azepine intermediates, viz. ISBCC and 10 MISB and their precur

To be published in Part-I Section I of the Gazette of India - Extraordinary

F. No.6/15/2026-DGTR

Government of India

Department of Commerce Ministry of Commerce & Industry Directorate General of Trade Remedies 4th Floor, Jeevan Tara Building 5, Parliament Street, New Delhi — 110001

Dated: ),March 2026

Case No. AD (OD) (14/2026)

Subject: Initiation of anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Certain azepine intermediates, viz. ISBCC and 10 MISB and their precursor, IDB” originating in or exported from China PR. ,

1. Having regards to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as amended from time to time (hereinafter also referred as the 'Act') and the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment, and Collection of Anti-Dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, as amended from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules” or the “Anti-Dumping Rules”), M/s Aether Industries Limited (hereinafter referred to as the ‘applicant’ or “domestic industry”) has filed an application before the Designated Authority (hereinafter referred to as the “Authority”), for initiation of an anti-dumping investigation on the imports of “Certain azepine intermediates, viz. ISBCC and 10MISB and their precursor, IDB” (hereinafter also referred to as “product under consideration” or “subject goods”), originating in or exported from China PR (hereinafter referred to as the “subject country”’).

2. The applicant has alleged that the subject goods are being imported into India from the subject country at dumped prices and are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The applicant has requested for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on the imports of the product under consideration from the subject country. The applicant has also sought interim duties on imports of subject goods from subject country.

• A. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION

mports of the product under consideration from the subject country. The applicant has also sought interim duties on imports of subject goods from subject country.

• A. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION

3. The product under consideration in the present investigation is “Certain azepine intermediates, viz. ISBCC (Iminostilbene Carbonyl Chloride) and 10 MISB (10Methoxyiminostilbene), and their precursor, IDB (Iminodibenzyl)”. The subject goods are chemical compounds that contain the common azepine ring system and are used in the synthesis of APIs.

• 4, The product under consideration conform to the following CAS nos.:

  • a) CAS no: 494-19-9 also known as IDB/ Iminodibenzyl (10,1 1-Dihydro-5Hdibenz[b,flazepine) having chemical formula C14H13N b) CAS no: 33948-22-0 also known as ISBCC/ Iminostilbene carbonyl chloride having chemical formula C1SH10CINO

  • c) CAS no: 4698-11-7 also known as 10-MISB (10-MethoxyIminostilbene) having chemical formula C15H13NO

also known as ISBCC/ Iminostilbene carbonyl chloride having chemical formula C1SH10CINO

• c) CAS no: 4698-11-7 also known as 10-MISB (10-MethoxyIminostilbene) having chemical formula C15H13NO

5. The applicant has submitted that Azepine intermediates viz., ISBCC and 10 MISB, and their precursor IDB constitute one product. It is seen that ISBCC and 10 MISB can only be derived from processing to IDB. Processing IDB results in ISBCC. ISBCC upon being further processed results in the production of 10 MISB. The PUC comprises specialty chemical intermediates used in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), particularly those used for anticonvulsant and antipsychotic medications. While IDB has some independent usage, the same is to the extent of less than 5% of the total consumption of IDB. IDB, ISBCC and 10 MISB serve common downstream therapeutic objectives. They have a common structural motif and differ only in specific functional groups introduced at defined positions, which facilitate their stepwise chemical conversion in a unified synthetic pathway. IDB, ISBCC and 10 MISB is based on the dibenzazepine ring system —a tricyclic structure with two benzene rings fused to a seven-membered azepine ring containing one nitrogen atom. Each step in their production chain involves functional group transformation without altering the dibenzazepine ring framework.

fused to a seven-membered azepine ring containing one nitrogen atom. Each step in their production chain involves functional group transformation without altering the dibenzazepine ring framework.

6. Subject goods are used as intermediates for making Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), particularly those for anticonvulsant and antipsychotic medications. The specific roles of the subject goods are as follows:

   • a) IDBisa precursor to ISBCC and 10-MISB. Its most prominent application is as an intermediate in the synthesis of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine.

   • b) ISBCC is a direct downstream derivative of IDB and serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of carbamazepine, used primarily in anticonvulsant medications and also find some application in antipsychotic medications.

   • c) 10-MISB is synthesized from ISBCC and is an intermediate in the production of oxcarbazepine, used for primarily in anticonvulsant medications and also find some application in antipsychotic medications.

7. The subject goods are classified under the category of organic chemicals under Chapter 29 of Schedule I to the Customs Tariff Act. The product does not have a dedicated customs classification and is being imported under 2921 30 90, 2922 19 90, 2931 90 90, 2933 19 20, 2933 99 10, 2933 99 90, 2934 99 90. The custom classification is indicative only and is in no way binding on the scope of the PUC in the present investigation.

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19 90, 2931 90 90, 2933 19 20, 2933 99 10, 2933 99 90, 2934 99 90. The custom classification is indicative only and is in no way binding on the scope of the PUC in the present investigation.

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8. The product under consideration is sold by weight and therefore, the unit of measurement considered in metric ton (MT) or Kilogram (Kg).

9. The applicant has proposed considering IDB, 10 MISB and ISBCC as separate PCN. The PCN proposed are thus as follows:

   • a) CAS no: 494-19-9 also known as IDB/Iminodibenzyl (10,11-Dihydro-5Hdibenz[b,f]azepine)

   • b) CAS no: 33948-22-0 also known as ISBCC/ Iminostilbene carbonyl chloride c) CAS no: 4698-11-7 also known as 10-MISB (10-MethoxyIminostilbene)

10. All interested parties in the subject investigation may provide their comments on the PUC as well as their proposal for construction of PCNs, if any, within 15 days from the date of initiation of this investigation. The interested parties are required to substantiate their comments with relevant evidence.

B. LIKE ARTICLE

11. The Applicant has submitted that there are no significant differences in the subject goods produced by the applicant and product exported from the subject country. The product produced by the applicant and imported from the subject country are comparable in terms of essential product characteristics such as physical and chemical characteristics, manufacturing process & technology, functions & usage, product specifications, pricing, distribution & marketing and tariff classification of the goods. The imported subject goods and the article manufactured by the applicant are technically and commercially substitutable. The applicant has claimed that consumers of the subject goods are using the imported subject goods and the article manufactured by the applicant interchangeably. Thus, for the purposes of initiation of the present investigation, the article produced by the applicant has been prima facie considered as “like article” to the product being imported from the subject country.

C. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY & STANDING

12. The application has been filed by M/s Aether Industries Limited. As per the information on record, the applicant is the sole domestic producer of IDB in India. While ISBCC and 10-MISB are produced by other domestic producers, it has been claimed that most of these producers source their raw material i.e., IDB, from the applicant or through imports, and therefore do not separately need to be included in the total Indian production. The Applicant has submitted that the other producers of ISBCC and 10-MISB are producing only for captive purposes and thus do not compete in the merchant market.

13. The Applicant commenced commercial production of the subject goods in the financial year 2022-23, with IDB beginning in August 2022, ISBCC starting in November 2022, and 10 MISB commencing in February 2023.

14. Further, the applicant has submitted that it is not related to any exporter or producer in the subject country or any importers of the subject goods in India, nor has it imported the subject goods. On the basis of information available and after due examination, the Authority notes that the applicant constitutes eligible ‘domestic industry’ within the meaning of Rule 2(b) of the Rules and the application satisfies the criteria of standing in terms of Rule 5(3) of the Rules.

D. SUBJECT COUNTRY

15. The subject country in the present investigation is China PR.

E. PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION

16. The applicant had proposed October 2024 to September 2025 (12 months) as the period of investigation (POI). The Authority has considered the period proposed by the applicant for the purpose of the investigation. The injury investigation period will cover the period 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 - 2025 and the POI.

F. BASIS FOR ALLEGED DUMPING

a. Normal Value for China PR

17. The domestic industry has cited and relied upon Article 15(a) (i) of China's Accession Protocol. The domestic industry has claimed that the producers in China PR must be directed to demonstrate that market economy conditions prevail in the industry producing the subject goods in terms of Para 8(3) of Annexure I of the Rules with regard to the manufacture, production and sale of the product under consideration. It has been stated by the domestic industry that in case the responding Chinese producers are not able to demonstrate that their costs and price information are market driven, the normal value should be calculated in terms of provisions of para’7 and 8 of AnnexureI to the Rules.

18. The applicant has submitted that since India and China are the only producing countries of the subject goods, the normal value could not be computed on the basis of the price in a market economy third country, constructed value in a market economy third country, or price from such a third country to other country, including India. The applicant has determined the normal value for China PR on the basis of price payable in India based on the cost of production in India, after addition of SGA expenses, and reasonable profit.

19. For the purpose of initiation, the normal value has been determined based on price paid or payable in India with reasonable adjustments for SGA expenses and profit in India.

20. The interested parties are advised to offer their comments and make duly substantiated

ased on price paid or payable in India with reasonable adjustments for SGA expenses and profit in India.

20. The interested parties are advised to offer their comments and make duly substantiated

| claims with regard to methodology to be adopted for determination of normal value. |

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b. Export Price

21. The Applicant has claimed export prices on the basis of market intelligence. The CIF price of the product under consideration as reported for imports into India, as per DG System data has been considered by the Authority for the purposes of the initiation. Price adjustments have been claimed on account of ocean freight, inventory carrying cost, credit cost, marine insurance, inland freight expenses, port expenses, and bank charges.

c. Dumping Margin

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22. The normal value and the export price have been compared at the ex-factory level. It is prima facie seen that the dumping margin is above the de minimis level and significant in respect ofthe product under consideration exported from the subject country. This, is prima facie establishes that the product under consideration from the subject country is being dumped in the domestic market of India by the exporters from the subject country.

G. EVIDENCE OF INJURY AND CAUSAL LINK

23. Information furnished by the applicant has been considered for assessment of injury to the domestic industry on account of dumped imports of the subject goods from the subject country. The volume of the subject goods from the subject country has been significant throughout the injury period. Subject imports registered some decline in 23-24 after the applicant started producing subject goods in the base year, however, imports increased thereafter. The applicant has claimed that landed price of imports has registered a steep decline without a corresponding decline in cost of production. Subject imports have had a depressing effect on domestic prices. The applicant has also claimed that because of the adverse volume and price effect of the dumped imports, their performance has deteriorated in respect of cash profit, profits and return on investment etc. The average inventory with the applicant has substantially increased over injury period. It has been claimed that despite being a new producer, the domestic industry was able to make profits in its first year of operation, however, the performance declined steeply with decline in imports price.

en claimed that despite being a new producer, the domestic industry was able to make profits in its first year of operation, however, the performance declined steeply with decline in imports price.

24. The information provided by the applicant, prima facie, shows injury being caused to the domestic industry due to dumped imports from the subject countries. Since there are three forms of the PUC, and the applicant has produced and sold all the three forms, , the applicant has presented injury information by adding volumes of IDB, ISBCC and 10 MISB ona linear basis and also expressed volumes in terms of equivalents of IDB. It has claimed that the latter alternative of presenting injury information is more appropriate. However, the interested parties may offer their comments on methodology for injury analysis and the same shall further be examined during the course of the investigation.

H. INITIATION OF ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION

25. On the basis of the duly substantiated written application by or on behalf of the Domestic

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Industry, and having satisfied itself, on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the Domestic Industry, substantiating dumping of the product under consideration originating in or exported from the subject country, injury to the Domestic Industry and causal link between such alleged dumping and injury, and in accordance with Section 9A of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Rules, the Authority, hereby, initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping in respect of the product under consideration originating in or exported from the subject country and to recommend the appropriate amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

I. PROCEDURE

26. Principles, as given in Rule 6 ofthe AD Rules, will be followed for the present investigation.

J. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION

27. All the interested parties are required to register themselves on SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in). All communications and submissions from the interested parties shall be uploaded on the SETU portal under their registered name and corresponding Case ID- AD (OJ) (14/2026). It should be ensured that the narrative part of the submission is in searchable PDF/MS-Word format and data files are in MS-Excel format.

28. The known producers/exporters in subject country, the government of subject country through its embassy in India, and the importers and users in India known to be concerned with the product under consideration are being informed separately to enable them to file all the relevant information within the time limits set out below. All such information must be filed in the form and manner as prescribed by this initiation notification, the Rules, and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority.

29. Any other interested party may also make a submission relevant to the present investigation in the form and manner as prescribed within the time limit set out below. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a non-confidential version of the same available to the other parties.

bed within the time limit set out below. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a non-confidential version of the same available to the other parties.

30. The interested parties are further advised to keep a regular watch on the official website of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies at www.dgtr.gov.in and SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) for any updated information with respect to this investigation. Interested parties are directed to regularly visit the website of DGTR (www.dgtr.gov.in) to stay apprised with the further developments in the subject investigation and remain informed regarding notices that may be issued from time to time regarding questionnaire formats, PCN methodology, PCN discussion /meeting schedule, notice of oral hearing, disclosure, corrigendum, amendment notifications, and other such information.

kK. TIME LIMIT

31. Any information relating to the present investigation must be uploaded on the SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) by the interested parties under their registered name and corresponding Case ID- AD (OT) (14/2026). Both versions of each submission, the confidential version (CV) and the non-confidential version (NCV) must be uploaded in the respective designated columns within 37 days from the date on which the nonconfidential version of the application filed by the domestic industry would be circulated by the Authority or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country as per Rule 6(4) of the Rules, 1995. If no information is received within the stipulated time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record its findings based on the facts available on record and in accordance with the Rules, 1995.

32. All the interested parties are hereby advised to intimate their interest (including the nature of interest) in the instant matter and file their questionnaire responses within the above time limit as stipulated in this notification through SETU portal only.

33. The 15-day period to file comments on the scope of the PUC/ PCN Methodology shall run concurrently with the time limit mentioned above in this Initiation Notification.

rough SETU portal only.

33. The 15-day period to file comments on the scope of the PUC/ PCN Methodology shall run concurrently with the time limit mentioned above in this Initiation Notification.

34. Extension due to modification of PUC/PCN: An extension of time by 15 days shall be granted if the Authority, through subsequent notice, modifies the PUC, and PCN that was not previously proposed or is different from the initiation notification. This extension of 15 days shall be granted from date of such notification of modified PUC and prescription of PCN. Extension of time by 15 days stated in this paragraph is not applicable in instances where there is no change in the PUC, and PCN methodology after initiation of investigation. Requests for a further extension of time, beyond the 15-day extension (if granted), will ordinarily not be considered except in case of exceptional circumstances, in line with Rule 6(4) of the AD Rules.

35. Any request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties through the SETU portal at least one day before the original deadline. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered.

request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties through the SETU portal at least one day before the original deadline. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered.

• L. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON CONFIDENTIAL BASIS 36. Where any party to the present investigation makes confidential submissions or provides information on a confidential basis before the Authority, such party is required to simultaneously submit a non-confidential version of such information in terms of Rule 7(2) of the Rules and in accordance with the relevant trade notices issued by the Authority in this regard. Failure to adhere to the above may lead to rejection of the response/submissions.

37. The parties making any submission (including Appendices/ Annexures attached thereto), before the Authority including questionnaire responses, are required to file confidential and non-confidential versions separately.

38. Such submissions must be clearly marked as 'confidential' or 'non-confidential’ at the top of each page. Any submission that has been made to the Authority without such markings shall be treated as 'non-confidential' information by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow other interested parties to inspect such submissions.

ority without such markings shall be treated as 'non-confidential' information by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow other interested parties to inspect such submissions.

39. The confidential version shall contain all information which is, by nature, confidential, and/or other information, which the supplier of such information claims as confidential. For the information which is claimed to be confidential by nature, or the information on which confidentiality is claimed because of other reasons, the supplier of the information is required to provide a good cause statement along with the supplied information as to why such information cannot be disclosed.

40. The non-confidential version of the information filed by the interested parties should be a replica of the confidential version with the confidential information preferably indexed or blanked out (where indexation is not possible) and such information must be appropriately and adequately summarized depending upon the information on which confidentiality is claimed.

41. The non-confidential summary must be in sufficient detail to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information furnished on a confidential basis. However, in exceptional circumstances, the party submitting the confidential information may indicate that such information is not susceptible to summary, and a statement of reasons containing a sufficient and adequate explanation as to why such summarization is not possible, must be provided to the satisfaction of the Authority.

ceptible to summary, and a statement of reasons containing a sufficient and adequate explanation as to why such summarization is not possible, must be provided to the satisfaction of the Authority.

42. The interested parties can offer their comments on the issues of confidentiality within 7 days from the date of circulation of the non-confidential version of the documents.

43. The Authority may accept or reject the request for confidentiality on examination of the nature of the information submitted. If the Authority is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or if the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or summary form, it may disregard such information.

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44. Any submission made without a meaningful non-confidential version thereof or a sufficient and adequate cause statement in terms of Rule 7 of the Rules, and appropriate trade notices issued by the Authority, on the confidentiality claim shall not be taken on record by the Authority.

M. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC FILE

45. All non-confidential versions of submissions made by any interested party will be accessible to other interested parties through their respective login on the SETU portal.

N. NON-COOPERATION

46. In case any interested party refuses access to and otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or within the time stipulated by the Authority in this initiation notification, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may declare such interested party as non-cooperative and record its findings based on the facts available to it and make such recommendations to the Central Government as deemed fit.

Amitabh Kumar (Designated Authority)