Top 50 Products Imported from China to India

China and India have a strong trade relationship, with China being one of India’s top import partners. All kinds of products are imported from China to meet the growing demands of India’s industries, businesses, and consumers.

In this blog post, we will discuss the top 50 products imported in India from China, from raw materials to consumer goods. We will also analyze the trends and reasons behind these significant imports.

Overview of India’s Imports from China

Before diving into the top products, let’s first take a quick look at some key facts about India’s imports from China:

• China accounted for 13.7% of India’s total imports in 2021 – the highest importer share
• India’s imports from China were worth $87.6 billion in 2021, an increase of over 45% from 2020
• Key categories imported include:
  • Electrical machinery and equipment – 27.4% of India’s imports from China
  • Nuclear reactors and boilers – 10.9%
  • Organic chemicals – 7.5%

Now let’s examine the top 50 individual products imported by India from China and what’s driving these large import volumes.

Top 50 Products Imported from China to India

1. Electronic Integrated Circuits

• Import Value (2021): $11.3 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 13.2%

Integrated circuits form the backbone of all modern electronics. India lacks a robust semiconductor manufacturing industry and thus depends heavily on imported ICs from China to meet domestic demand.

China’s advanced design and fabrication capabilities make it the top source for ICs powering everything from mobile devices, appliances, automobiles and industrial equipment in India. Low Chinese production costs also offer price competitiveness.

2. Computer and Mobile Parts

• Import Value (2021): $5.4 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 6.3%

India’s fast-growing computer and smartphone industries rely on component imports from China on a vast scale. Key parts and accessories imported include:

• Mobile phone LCD/OLED panels, touch screens and fingerprint sensors
• Laptop components like motherboards, hard drives, cooling fans
• Computer peripherals – keyboards, webcams, mice, cables
• Chargers and adapters for various electronic devices

Cost, speed and flexibility offered by China’s component supply chain is crucial for India meeting domestic tech product demand.

3. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

• Import Value (2021): $5.1 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 6%

China is the world’s leading producer and exporter of active pharmaceutical ingredients or APIs – the key ingredients required to produce finished drugs and medicines.

Over 60% of India’s API imports come from China. India’s booming generics drug industry depends on sourcing intermediates, bulk drugs like acetaminophen and drug precursors like corticosteroids from China due to competitive pricing.

4. Auto Parts and Accessories

• Import Value (2021): $4.8 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 5.6%

India imports cores parts and technology inputs from China needed to manufacture finished vehicles domestically. Common imports include:

• Engine and transmission parts
• Wheel rims, steering systems
• Airbags, seatbelts and other safety systems
• Infotainment panels, meters, lighting
• Miscellaneous accessories

Cost benefits plus advanced production capacities make China a lucrative source for India’s automobile sector.

5. Industrial Machinery

• Import Value (2021): $3.4 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 4%

India imports a wide range of industrial machinery from China to support its infrastructure buildout and fast-expanding manufacturing sectors including:

• Textile machinery – spinning, cutting and sewing equipment
• Plastic injection molding machines
• Food processing equipment
• Machining centers, machine tools and robotic arms
• Industrial printers for packaging

Competitive pricing and technology contributions enhance China’s advantage.

6. Insecticides

• Import Value (2021): $2.6 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 3%

India sources a significant portion of insecticides from China to aid agricultural productivity. Major imports include:

• Organophosphates used against termites, ticks
• Carbamates deployed as fungicides
• Synthetic pyrethroids for controlling pests/vectors

Agrochemical intermediates and technical grade pesticides are also imported and formulated into finished products domestically.

7. Antibiotics

• Import Value (2021): $2.2 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 2.6%

India imports a broad spectrum of antibiotic APIs along with intermediates/precursors from China. Major import categories include:

• Beta lactam antibiotics like penicillins
• Cephalosporins
• Tetracycline antibiotics
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics

These serve as key building blocks for producing finished formulations locally to combat bacterial infections.

8. Solar Cells, Panels and Parts

• Import Value (2021): $2.2 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 2.6%

India’s solar power ambitions require sourcing huge volumes of solar photovoltaic cells, panels, connectors and mountings from China due to pricing competitiveness.

These Chinese imports aid both large Indian solar farms as well as rooftop solar installations for residential and commercial buildings.

9. Plastics, Polymers and Resins

• Import Value (2021): $2.2 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 2.5%

India imports diverse plastics, petroleum resins and polymers from China as industrial raw materials spanning:

• Polypropylene and PVC resins
• PET/Polyester polymers
• Acrylic/PMMA polymers
• Polycarbonates, epoxy and polyurethane resins
• Plasticizers, stabilizers, catalysts

These offer cost benefits for India’s downstream plastic product manufacturers.

10. Air Conditioners

• Import Value (2021): $2 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 2.4%

China’s expertise in manufacturing affordable air conditioners allows it to dominate India’s air cooler imports across:

• Window ACs
• Split ACs
• Central air conditioning equipment
• Parts like compressors, blowers, filters

Helps meet fast rising cooling equipment demand from India’s homes and commercial buildings.

11. Organic Chemicals

• Import Value (2021): $1.93 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 2.2%

India imports high volumes of organic chemical intermediates and precursors from China including:

• Acetone derivatives, phenol/cresol compounds
• Aromatic alcohol solvents
• Ethylene/propylene oxides and glycols
• Caprolactam, phthalic anhydrides

Feed vital chemical, agrochemical and pharmaceutical processes locally.

12. Fertilizers

• Import Value (2021): $1.65 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1.9%

China dominates supply of low cost fertilizers crucial for India’s agriculture sector including:

• Urea, phosphates, potash
• Nitrogen, nitrogen compounds
• Complex fertilizers containing NPK with micronutrients

Ensures steady availability for Indian farmers via imports.

13. Telephones and Mobile Phones

• Import Value (2021): $1.26 billion
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1.45%

India imports completely built Chinese phones as well as device kits that are assembled into finished phones locally. Smartphones form majority of imports but feature phone imports are also substantial.

Helps India meet fast rising consumer demand for the latest mobile technology.

14. Toys and Games

• Import Value (2021): $984 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1.13%

Toys of all varieties including electronic, plastic, wooden, metal, infant and educational toys are imported from China on a large scale due to competitive production system.

These meet huge domestic demand while supporting local assembly. Gaming consoles, video games and accessories are also imported.

15. Footwear

• Import Value (2021): $914 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1%

India imports high volumes of finished and semi-finished footwear from China spanning:

• Leather shoes, boots
• Sports/athletic shoes
• Rubber slippers and sandals

The low cost advantages enhance domestic footwear availability.

16. Consumer Electronics

• Import Value (2021): $896 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1%

Diverse consumer electronics imported from China include:

• LED/LCD/OLED televisions
• Speakers, headphones, wearables
• Appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and vacuum cleaners
• Drones, 3D printers, electronic weighing scales

Supplements local manufacturing for electronics across price points.

17. Bicycles and Bike Parts

• Import Value (2021): $888 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 1%

India meets demand for a broad range of bicycles via Chinese imports:

• Mountain bikes, road bikes, fixed gear bikes
• Electric bicycles
• Children’s cycles
• Parts like saddles, tires, tubes, brakes, chains, wheels

Caters to growing bicycle adoption for transport, fitness and leisure.

18. Synthetic Fabrics

• Import Value (2021): $639 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.7%

Synthetic textile imports from China include:

• Polyester and nylon fabrics
• Rayon fabrics
• Mixed/blended fabrics
• Industrial fabrics

Supports India’s export-oriented garment industry and domestic demand.

19. Medical Devices

• Import Value (2021): $450 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.5%

Key medical devices imported from China encompass:

• Diagnostic kit reagents
• Medical laser equipment
• Scanning systems
• Dialysis, endoscopy, anesthesia equipment
• Other diagnostic instruments

Boosts healthcare infrastructure and accessibility.

20. Railway Locomotives

• Import Value (2021): $450 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.5%

Electric rail engines, diesel locomotives, locomotive parts imported from China support dedicated freight corridors and metro rail networks.

Enhances rail infrastructure build-out under Make in India via Chinese imports.

21. Lamps, Lighting, Parts

• Import Value (2021): $447 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.51%

India imports:

• LED lamps, bulbs, tubes
• Solar lamps
• Portable torches
• Lighting fixtures, components

Aid nationwide lighting infrastructure growth and rural electrification.

22. Rechargeable Batteries

• Import Value (2021): $419 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.48%

Lithium ion batteries make up majority of India’s imports from China including:

• Cylindrical and polymer Li-ion batteries
• Battery packs
• Parts like cathodes, anodes, separators

Vital for India’s electronics and electric mobility growth curves.

23. Products Made of Iron and Steel

• Import Value (2021): $394 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.45%

Key iron/steel imports feature:

• Stainless steel utensils
• Small metal hardware
• Locks, hinges, fittings
• Nails, tubes, pipes, cables

Aid infrastructure development and downstream fabrication.

24. Manmade Filaments and Fibers

• Import Value (2021): $317 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.36%

Synthetic filament imports from China include:

• Cellulosic/rayon filament yarn
• Polyamide and polyester filaments
• Acrylic, viscose yarns

Vital inputs for India’s textile sector.

25. Nuclear Reactors and Parts

• Import Value (2021): $312 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.36%

India utilizes Chinese expertise to import:

• Reactor vessel heads, control rods
• Metal structures, fittings, controls
• Zirconium tubes, pumps

Supports domestic nuclear power generation expansion.

26. Electronics Instruments/Appliances

• Import Value (2021): $297 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.34%

Highly diverse electronics imports feature:

• Laboratory instruments
• Voltage meters, spectrum analyzers
• Recorders, oscilloscopes
• Control, measurement instruments

Aid research and industries locally.

27. Women’s Clothing, Accessories

• Import Value (2021): $251 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.29%

Major product imports encompass:

• Woven cotton blouses, t-shirts
• Knit tops, dresses, skirts, shorts
• Shawls, scarves
• Imitation jewelry

Caters to latest fast fashion trends.

28. Textile Yarn Fabrics

• Import Value (2021): $227 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.26%

China exports:

• Yarn dyed fabrics
• Printed fabrics
• Embroidered fabrics, lace, tapestries
• Specialized industrial textiles

Supplements textile raw material needs.

29. Synthetic Rubber

• Import Value (2021): $224 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.26%

Includes various rubber imports like:

• Styrene-butadiene rubber
• Nitrile rubber
• Fluorocarbon rubber
• Butyl rubber

Crucial for India’s rubber product manufacturing sector.

30. Fish and Seafood

• Import Value (2021): $206 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.24%

Frozen fish, crustaceans and molluscs imported from China include:

• Shrimp, prawns
• Other shellfish
• Mackerel, sardines
• Flatfish, tuna

Aid rising seafood consumption locally.

31. Synthetic Dyeing Agents

• Import Value (2021): $184 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.21%

Major imports feature:

• Disperse dyes, acid dyes
• Direct dyes
• Reactive dyes
• Pigments

Essential for textile sector locally.

32. Antibiotic Medicaments

• Import Value (2021): $169 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.19%

Range of end formulation antibiotics imported encompass:

• Penicillin antibiotics
• Erythromycin preparations
• Cephalosporins
• Tetracycline formulations

Expand access to critical infection treatments.

33. Women’s Handbags

• Import Value (2021): $164 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.19%

Major imports include:

• Leather, faux leather handbags
• Plastic, textile shopping bags
• Wickerwork bags
• Travel bags, cosmetic cases

Cater to distinct fashion preferences.

34. Wooden Furniture

• Import Value (2021): $158 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.18%

Broad range of furniture imported:

• Living room sets
• Bedroom sets
• Dining sets, kitchen furniture
• Office furniture

Offers wider furniture variety for consumers/businesses.

35. Silk Fabrics

• Import Value (2021): $144 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.16%

Raw silk and finished silk fabrics imported feature:

• Mulberry, tussar, eri, muga silk
• Jacquard-woven brocaded silk
• Printed silk with ornamental designs

Vital for local textile sector.

36. Metal Structures and Parts

• Import Value (2021): $117 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.13%

Includes diverse metalwork imports like:

• Iron/steel beams, pillars, towers
• Doors, windows, gates
• Kitchen sinks and metal furniture

Aid real estate and infrastructure projects.

37. Women’s Overcoats and Jackets

• Import Value (2021): $98 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.11%

Key overcoat and jacket imports feature:

• Fleece, quilted jackets
• Raincoats
• Woolen overcoats
• Down jackets

Address seasonal outdoor apparel demand.

38. Crustaceans and Molluscs

• Import Value (2021): $92 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.11%

Beyond fish, key imports include:

• Crabs, crawfish, lobsters
• Clams, abalone, snails

Aid rising seafood consumption locally.

39. Diodes, Transistors, Semiconductor Devices

• Import Value (2021): $92 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.1%

Supplements electronics component imports:

• Light emitting, laser diodes
• Bipolar, field effect transistors
• Photosensitive/light emitting semiconductor devices

Essential for electronics assembly.

40. Stainless Steel Products

• Import Value (2021): $50 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.06%

Stainless steel imports from China include:

• Stainless steel sheets, plates, coils
• Stainless steel tubes, pipes, fittings
• Stainless steel wire, rods

Cater to infrastructure projects, construction, and manufacturing sectors in India. China’s cost competitiveness and production capacities enable large-scale stainless steel imports.

41. Men’s Trousers and Shorts

• Import Value (2021): $91 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.1%

Key imports include:

• Cotton and denim jeans
• Synthetic/mixed fabric trousers
• Athletic/gym shorts and swimwear

Meet growing demand in men’s apparel segment.

42. Women’s Trousers and Shorts

• Import Value (2021): $88 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.1%

Major imports feature:

• Stretch jeans, jeggings
• Printed/embroidered shorts, capris
• Yoga pants, tights, leggings

Address booming athleisure preferences.

43. Tanks, Armored Vehicles

• Import Value (2021): $77 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.09%

Key Chinese imports:

• Armored personnel carriers
• Reconnaissance vehicles
• Tank transporters

Strengthens defense capabilities.

44. Women’s Skirts and Dresses

• Import Value (2021): $73 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.08%

High import categories encompass:

• Printed skater dresses
• Embroidered maxi dresses
• Evening gowns, occasionwear

Cater to growing female fashion demands.

45. Tires

• Import Value (2021): $65 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.07%

Tire imports span:

• Bicycle, electric bike tires
• New pneumatic automobile tires
• Tire flaps/treads

Aid domestic tire availability across vehicle segments.

46. Carpets and Rugs

• Import Value (2021): $62 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.07%

Includes wide variety of floor coverings:

• Machine woven wool carpets
• Tufted nylon, acrylic rugs
• Needlefelt floor coverings

Expand consumer choice.

47. Locks and Padlocks

• Import Value (2021): $58 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.07%

Feature:

• Combination/electronic locks
• Paracentric/warded padlocks
• Mortise door locks

Critical hardware imports.

48. Parts/Accessories for Vehicles

• Import Value (2021): $55 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.06%

Components imported:

• Auto glass mirrors
• Brake parts, seat belts
• Horns, lighting equipment
• Chassis frames

Aid automobile and transport equipment sector.

49. Aluminum Foil

• Import Value (2021): $55 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.06%

Features:

• Rolled, coiled aluminum foil
• Foil containers

Essential for packaging and food industries.

50. Women’s Underwear and Lingerie

• Import Value (2021): $53 million
• Share of India’s Total Import Value: 0.06%

Key product imports:

• Bras, panties
• Shapewear
• Corsets, slips
• Nightwear, loungewear

Caters to intimate apparel demand.

Key Reasons For These Product Imports

To summarize, India depends on Chinese imports for:

• Advanced technology – electronics, machinery, components
• Superior manufacturing abilities – higher volumes, lower costs
• Export competitiveness – textiles, apparel, footwear
• Chemical feedstocks – agrochemicals, polymers, organic chemicals
• Economies of scale – solar equipment, modules
• Specialization – toys, furniture, consumer goods

What are your thoughts on the top products imported by India from China? Do you think India’s dependence on Chinese imports helps or hurts domestic industry?

Please share your perspectives below!