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In a major initiative aimed at strengthening India’s export resilience amid evolving global trade dynamics, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has operationalised the Global Tariff and Trade helpdesk. This development is expected to have a significant impact on India’s pharmaceutical sector, which has faced increasing volatility in global demand, tariff adjustments, and regulatory hurdles in recent months.
The announcement was formally communicated to all pharma exporters, importers, Regional Authorities (Ras), and the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) to urgently address sector-specific challenges.
“Given the evolving trade landscape and the introduction of various tariff and counter-tariff measures, the helpdesk aims to assist pharma exporters in navigating new export opportunities while mitigating import pressures and regulatory constraints,” the DGFT stated
The Indian pharmaceutical industry, a cornerstone of the country’s export economy, has witnessed a mix of rising opportunities and emerging threats in recent quarters. While global demand for generic medicines and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) continues to expand, pharma exporters are grappling with abrupt tariff changes, logistical disruptions, and heightened scrutiny in regulatory compliance across major markets like the US, EU, and Southeast Asia.
In this context, the launch of the Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk is expected to act as a centralized grievance redressal and support system. Pharmexcil, which represents the interests of pharmaceutical exporters, has welcomed the initiative as a “proactive and timely intervention by the Union Ministry of Commerce to safeguard India’s competitive edge in pharma exports.”
The Helpdesk will address a wide range of trade-related challenges including import and export barriers, sudden import surges or dumping issues, delays in EXIM clearances, logistics and supply chain disruptions, financial or banking hurdles, regulatory or compliance roadblocks.
“Stakeholders in the pharma sector can submit their concerns via the DGFT’s official website (https://dgft.gov.in) by selecting the ‘Global Tariff and Trade Issues’ category under the Helpdesk section. Additionally, they can email their issues to dgftedi@nic.in with the subject line “Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk”, or contact the toll-free helpline at 1800-111-550. The DGFT has assured timely resolution and status tracking of grievances, with updates to be shared via email and SMS notifications,” according to a DGFT official.
Pharmexcil is expected to act as a key conduit between exporters and the DGFT, helping collate and escalate pressing issues faced by the pharma industry, particularly those stemming from tariff escalations by importing countries, regulatory reclassification of Indian pharma products, export bans or import licensing challenges and need for bilateral trade support with specific nations.
“This initiative enhances our communication with the Government and enables a more structured response to global trade challenges. Our members are encouraged to proactively report issues through the helpdesk for faster resolution and policy level intervention,” said a senior official from Pharmexcil.
“With India striving to position itself as the “Pharmacy of the World”, the operationalisation of the Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk underscores the government’s commitment to providing real-time support and safeguarding exporter interests. As global supply chains continue to experience shifts, this platform could play a crucial role in ensuring Indian pharma remains competitive, compliant, and agile in seizing new market opportunities. For further details and support, visit https://dgft.gov.in or contact the helpdesk at 1800-111-550,” stated a DGFT official.
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