Top 8 Chinese Products Imported to India in 2024

China is one of India's largest trading partners across several key sectors. In 2023-24, bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded USD 100 billion. 

For business owners and entrepreneurs in India, this strong trade relationship provides valuable opportunities to source products from Chinese suppliers, helping to diversify offerings and reduce costs.

This article examines the latest data and trends on what Chinese products are most imported to China, helping you identify and understand high-demand products.

Source: the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade

There are many types of products to import from China to India. Taking into account the data and trends, 2024 and beyond can present several opportunities for small business owners in India to select the right products to import from China.

In this section, we will look into the top 8 Chinese products most imported to India in 2024.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, India imported electronic equipment worth 44.15 billion from China in 2023.

Here is the list of imported electronic equipment India imports from China:

• Electronic integrated circuits and micro assemblies
• Electrical apparatus for line telephony or telegraphy
• Diodes
• Transistors
• Similar semiconductor devices
• Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony
• Recorded media such as tapes
• Microphones, loudspeakers and headphones
• TV
• Cameras
• Cordless telephones, and parts for television
• Radio and radar apparatus.

Imports of machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers from China to India totalled USD 21.70 billion in 2023.

The United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade shows that the biggest part of imports include: 

• Automatic data processing machines
• Magnetic or optical readers
• Parts of typewriters and calculating machines
• Air or vacuum pumps
• Air or other gas compressors.

Organic chemicals also represent an important import category from China to India, with a value of USD 13.27 billion in 2023.

The chemicals are intended to be used mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, such as:

• Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen
• Nucleic acids, Antibiotics
• Saturated acyclic
• Monocarboxylic acids
• Unsaturated acyclic or cyclic monocarboxylic acids
• Oxygen-function amino-compounds
• Polycarboxylic acids
• Antibiotics

India's pharmaceutical industry has the main uses for these chemicals. The sector supplies over 60% of the global demand for various vaccines, is a major supplier of affordable vaccines, and is the leading provider of generic medicines worldwide.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Indian plastic imports from China were USD 5.93 billion in 2023, and represent the fourth largest import category.

The biggest import include: 

• Vinyl Chloride Polymers
• Plastic Sheets, Films, and Foils
• Polyethers, Epoxides, & Polyesters
• Self-adhesive Plastics
• Plastic Household Items (e.g., kitchenware, tableware)
• Other Plastic Articles

Optical, photo, technical, and medical apparatus imported from China to India was worth USD 2.68 billion in 2023.

With important product categories, including mechano-therapy appliances, massage apparatus, ozone therapy apparatus, instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, and dental clinics, measuring or checking instruments and machines, and apparatus for the use of X-rays or of Alpha, Beta, or Gamma radiations.

In the 2023–24 fiscal year, India's import of medical devices increased by 13%, with disposables experiencing the largest rise in imports.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, India is reported to import iron and steel worth USD 2.62 billion from China in 2023.

Additionally, India's imports of finished steel from China reached a seven-year peak during the first five months of the 2024/25 financial year.

Chinese steel imports include high-quality and high-grade ferroalloy products, which are primarily used by Indian automobile and engineering goods manufacturers.

India imports various fertilisers, such as diammonium phosphate, to enhance its agricultural productivity. 

Other fertilisers include urea, a type of plant nutrient popular amongst Indian farmers.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, India imported fertilisers worth USD 2.61 billion in 2023.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, USD 1.88 billion worth of auto parts and vehicles were imported to India from China in 2023.

China continues to be the largest source of automotive parts imports for the Indian automotive industry. In fact, in the fiscal year 2023-2024, the auto components imported from China to India accounted for 29%, making it the primary supplier of automotive parts to the Indian market.

These imports include engines and transmission parts, rim products, hubcaps, front and rear spoilers, car lights, rearview mirrors, car sensors, and cable for car accessories among others.

Other popular products on eBay include fuel tanks, saddlebags & panniers, mudguards, seats, helmets, and headlight assemblies.

While some high-demand import categories may seem more suitable for larger businesses, there are plenty of products within those and other related categories that small businesses can successfully import and generate a solid return on investment.

If you're a small business owner, here's a curated list of top profitable product categories to import from China to India:

• Electronics Gadgets and Smartphone Accessories: A significant portion of India's imports from China is made up of electronics. Therefore, small businesses can tap into this growing market by importing high-demand accessories such as earbuds, tablet accessories, chargers, phone cases, screen protectors, power banks, and headphones.
• Automotive Accessories: India's automotive industry is witnessing significant growth in 2024, fueled by urbanisation and a rising middle class with increasing purchasing power. This expansion presents opportunities for small businesses to capitalise on the growing demand for automotive accessories like seat covers, LED lights, car phone mounts, car sensors, and headlight assemblies. 
• Kitchenware and Household Items: Tableware and kitchenware are among the most imported plastic products. These simple, everyday items are easy for small businesses to explore and market effectively.
• Furniture: India's imports from China in this sector totalled USD 769.38 million in 2023. Small businesses can consider this category. Affordable and stylish home décor items, such as wall art, lighting fixtures, and small furniture pieces, are in high demand.

Many different countries tend to source from China for quality products with affordable price tags. 

India imports extensively from China for these key reasons:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: China's large-scale manufacturing enables mass production at lower costs, making its products economically attractive to Indian businesses and consumers.
2. Diverse Product Range: China supplies a broad spectrum of goods, from consumer electronics to industrial machinery.
3. Supply Chain Integration: Many Indian industries rely on Chinese components and raw materials to complete their manufacturing processes.
4. Strong Trade Relations: India and China have developed significant trade ties over the years which facilitate the import and export process. In fact, China has been India's largest source of imports. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade in 2023, India imported over 121 billion worth of goods from China. From April to September 2024, during the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year alone, India imported goods worth USD 56.29 billion from China.

If we look at India's other main trade partners in the fiscal year 2023-24, the country's top trading partners, aside from China, are the United States, the United Arab Emirates (the UAE), Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.

If you're a business owner in India looking to import products from China, you may want to consider some of these tips before starting to import products from China.

Tip 1: Understand Indian Import Regulations

Before you start importing Chinese goods to India, you should first understand the regulations set forth by India's Country Commercial Guide. This will help you avoid unnecessary fees, penalties, or compliance issues.

Here are some processes to ensure:

1. Your business should be properly registered as a legal entity in India
2. You should have a valid tax registration. 
3. You should have applied for an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the Director-General of Foreign Trade in India. This code is required for all import and export activities in India.
4. Check if your products require Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, as many imports need it before sale in India. The main types include the CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) for electrical and IT products and the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) for a wider range of goods manufactured outside of India.

Once these steps are completed, you can move forward with the import. Failure to comply may result in fines, seizure of goods, or other legal actions.

Tip 2: Find the Best Chinese Suppliers

Finding reliable Chinese suppliers is key to reducing your import costs.

Considering factors such as the supplier's experience, their production capacity, the time it takes to fulfil orders, the communication channels, the shipping channels, and whether they are certified to supply the products you need.

However, finding the best Chinese suppliers should not be a "one-and-done" initiative. If you're looking at importing products as a long-term objective, building a strong relationship with Chinese suppliers would ultimately help you negotiate better terms of sales and prices and reduce overall costs for your imports.

Tip 3: Verify the Quality of Products Imported from China

When importing products from China, ensuring good quality will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Poor-quality products can lead to wasted investment, dissatisfied customers, and returns. Here's how to verify product quality:

1. Check Supplier Reputation: Look for reviews and ratings on platforms where suppliers are listed to evaluate their reliability.
2. Look for Quality Certifications: Ask for certifications (e.g., ISO) if applicable, to confirm the product meets international standards.
3. Always Request Samples: It’s important to order samples to assess product quality firsthand before placing large orders. 
4. Use Third-Party Inspection: For large or high-value orders, consider hiring an inspection service to check product quality before shipment.

By following these steps, you can avoid issues like defective products and delays due to rework or returns. 

Implementing these tips will not only help you reduce costs but also enhance the overall efficiency of your import process.

Whether you own a small business engaged in importing and exporting or a company that frequently deals with international payments, managing cross-border transactions smoothly is essential for your success.

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