KOCHI: The surge in imports of finished rubber products has seen Indian rubber MSMEs facing dumping charges and demanding an increase in import duty on finished rubber products to 30%. Currently, the import duty on finished rubber products is 0% to 10%. All India Rubber Industries Association All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) According to statistics, the total imports of rubber products in India increased from Rs. 418 billion to Rs. 9202 billion during the 4-year period of 2015-16, an increase of 120%. “India has one of the highest tariffs on raw materials and lowest tariffs on finished rubber products. This reverse tariff structure has led to an 80-90% surge in imports of industrial products. Finished products can be avoided as the domestic rubber production facilities are able to meet the demand, but different imports are taking place, especially in the context of lower import tariffs on rubber products under free trade agreements.” AIRIA K Kamal, President ...