Official primary source: ADC 78/2026/NTC/Ibuprofen; preliminary report dated 12 October 2026, published 20 October 2026 · Reviewed 26 October 2026. Legal effect, provisional status and dates are identified below; the full official document and any later amendments govern.
The report was posted 20 October, but the provisional measures took effect five days earlier on 15 October. China and the United States carry different rates.
Exactly which ibuprofen imports and rates are covered
The National Tariff Commission's ADC 78/2026/NTC/Ibuprofen preliminary determination covers pharmaceutical-grade ibuprofen imported from China and the United States, classified under Pakistan Customs Tariff heading 2916.3910. It concerns the defined active pharmaceutical ingredient, not every ibuprofen-containing finished medicine.
Under sections 37 and 43 of the Anti-Dumping Duties Act, 2015, NTC imposed provisional duties at 8.71% ad valorem of C&F value for covered Chinese imports and 7.77% ad valorem of C&F value for covered US imports, for four months beginning 15 October 2026. Imports originating in or exported from other countries are not subject to these specified duties.
The report also notes that, under section 51(1)(ea), definitive anti-dumping duty is not to be levied on the investigated product used as input for products destined solely for exports and covered by a qualifying customs-duty-exempting export scheme. Such export-linked treatment must be checked against its precise conditions, not assumed for ordinary domestic-use imports.
Why the rates differ and how NTC arrived at them
NTC found that no exporter or foreign producer supplied the requested information and consequently calculated country-level dumping margins from the best available information under section 32. It identified dumping margins of 35.94% for China and 7.77% for the United States.
Under the lesser-duty approach in section 43(1), the Commission calculated an injury margin of 8.71%. It therefore selected 8.71% for Chinese-origin ibuprofen (the lower injury margin rather than China's dumping margin) and 7.77% for US-origin ibuprofen (the lower US dumping margin).
The inquiry followed an application from Zenith Chemical Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. and examined whether imports caused material injury to domestic producers through price undercutting, reduced market share, falling production, sales and profitability. These remain preliminary findings pending final determination.
Import cost, compliance and timing
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and API importers should assess landed costs by country of origin, confirm whether the imported product meets the investigated pharmaceutical-grade specification, and ensure correct customs declaration under PCT 2916.3910.
The report states that provisional duties are additional to other taxes and duties due on imported ibuprofen. Parties should review customs assessment, pricing clauses and whether any export-use treatment genuinely applies.
Importers should track the four-month provisional period beginning 15 October 2026 and later final determination. The website posting of the detailed report on 20 October is not the duty's effective date.
Why this development matters
Pharmaceutical importers must distinguish China and US duties, the 15 October commencement, and the specific export-use exception.
Specific steps for affected organisations
- Match imported product to pharmaceutical-grade ibuprofen and PCT 2916.3910.
- Apply the country-specific 8.71% or 7.77% provisional duty to covered imports.
- Check qualifying export-scheme treatment strictly against section 51(1)(ea).
- Update landed-cost and supply contract calculations; monitor final NTC determinations.
Timing and legal status
Preliminary report dated 12 October 2026, detailed public report posted 20 October. Provisional duties effective 15 October 2026 for four months.
The findings and measures are provisional. Product scope, country of origin and export-use exemptions require individual verification against the full report and law.
National Tariff Commission — ADC 78/2026 non-confidential preliminary determination report (34 pages)