When we talk about China, the first thing that comes to mind is the world’s second-largest economy. Despite facing the economic slowdown in the last year, China’s economy expanded at an astounding five percent in the first half of 2024, despite several obstacles, due to better exports, consumer spending on services, and investments in public infrastructure and industry.
Investment and export-focused manufacturing have been the main drivers of China’s rapid growth, and they have maintained China’s position as the world’s export hub. India and China’s bilateral trade increased by 4% to US$ 118.40 billion in FY24 from US$ 113.83 billion in FY23. China emerged as India’s fourth-largest export trading partner as of 2023–2024.
In FY2024, India imported about 7,521 commodities from China, and some of the major items imported included machinery and equipment (US$ 31.35 billion), followed by nuclear reactors and parts (US$ 22.47 billion), organic chemicals (US$ 11.49 billion), plastics (US$ 5.66 billion), and fertilisers and pesticides (US$ 2.25 billion).
So there would never come a time when the scope of starting an import business from China to India would fade into the corners! This blog will be your ultimate guide to exploring the list of products imported into India from China! But first, let’s uncover all the facets of the import business between Asia’s two highly potent and major economies. So are you planning to start an import and export business from China to India? This blog is going to be your ultimate saviour!
Indo-China Trade Relations in 2024
Over the last ten years, India and China’s bilateral commerce has increased fourfold. India-China trade reached US$ 118.40 billion in FY24, surpassing US$ 100 billion for the third year in a row.
With a total of US$ 2.50 billion in investments since April 2000, China was the 22nd largest foreign investor in India as of March 2024. About 0.37 percent of all foreign direct investment (FDI) coming into India comes from China.
Despite the consistent border tensions and escalations between the countries, China has continued to remain a significant player in India’s economic landscape. The future holds all the possibilities for the enhancement of Indo-China trade relations, and this growth would be further catalysed by the resolution of the major border dispute across the LOC, which took place in October 2024. While the Indo-China trade relations will continue to thrive, Donald Trump taking over as the US new president will play a crucial role in shaping these relations!
Here are the Top 50 Products Imported from China to India
Here is the comprehensive list of the top 50 high-demand import products in India that are imported from China and will continue to swell in volume.
Electronics and equipment manufacturing
In 2023, India imported electronic equipment valued at 44.15 billion from China, according to the United Nations’ COMTRADE database on international commerce. This category was the top among the leading products imported from China to India.
The list of electronic devices that India buys from China is as follows:
- Micro-assemblies and integrated circuits for electronics
- Electrical devices for telegraphy
- Diodes
- Transistors
- Comparable semiconductor devices
- Radiotelephony transmission equipment
- Cassettes
- Headsets, loudspeakers, and microphones
- Television Cameras
- Television components and cordless phones
- Radar and radio equipment
Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers
In 2023, India imported boilers, nuclear reactors, and machinery worth USD 21.70 billion from China.
The largest portion of imports, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, consists of:
- Automated data processing devices
- Readers that are optical or magnetic
- Calculating machine and typewriter parts
- Vacuum or air pumps
- Compressors for air or other gases.
Organic chemicals
At USD 13.27 billion in 2023, organic chemicals are another significant import category from China to India.
The primary application for the compounds is in the pharmaceutical sector, including:
- Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic chemicals, nucleic acids, and antibiotics
- Saturated acrylic
- Monocarboxylic acids
- Cyclic or unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids
- Oxygen-functioning amino acids
- Polycarboxylic acids
- Antibiotics
These compounds are mostly used in India’s pharmaceutical sector. The industry is the world’s largest supplier of generic medications, provides more than 60% of the demand for different vaccines globally, and is a significant supplier of reasonably priced vaccinations.
Plastics
In 2023, India imported USD 5.93 billion worth of plastic from China, making it the fourth largest import category, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
The largest imports consist of:
- Polymers of Vinyl Chloride
- Foils, Films, and Sheets of Plastic
- Epoxides, polyesters, and polyethers
- Self-sticking Polymers
- Plastic, such as dinnerware and kitchenware
- Other Items Made of Plastic
Optical, photo, technical, and medical apparatus
In 2023, India purchased optical, photographic, technological, and medical equipment valued at USD 2.68 billion from China.
Mechanotherapy appliances, massage equipment, ozone therapy equipment, equipment and appliances for use in medical, surgical, and dental clinics, measuring or checking equipment and machines, and equipment for the use of X-rays or Alpha, Beta, or Gamma radiations are among the significant product categories.
India imported 13% more medical gadgets in the fiscal year 2023-2024, with disposables seeing the biggest increase.
Iron and steel
In 2023, India imported iron and steel valued at USD 2.62 billion from China, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international commerce.
In addition, during the first five months of the 2024–2025 fiscal year, India’s imports of Chinese finished steel hit a seven-year high. High-grade ferroalloy products, which are mostly utilised by Indian auto and technical goods producers, are among the high-quality steel imports from China.
Fertilisers
In order to increase its agricultural output, India imports a variety of fertilisers, including diammonium phosphate. Urea, a plant nutrient that is well-liked by Indian farmers, is one of the additional fertilisers.
In 2023, India acquired fertilisers valued at USD 2.61 billion, according to the United Nations’ COMTRADE database on international commerce.
Vehicles other than railways and tramways
In 2023, India imported automobiles and auto parts valued at USD 1.88 billion from China, as per the United Nations COMTRADE database on international commerce.
The Indian automotive sector still imports the majority of its car parts from China. In reality, China was the main supplier of automotive parts to the Indian market in the fiscal year 2023-2024, accounting for 29% of all car components imported into India.
These imports include, among other things, car lights, rearview mirrors, hubcaps, rim goods, front and rear spoilers, car sensors, and cables for automotive accessories. Fuel tanks, saddlebags & panniers, mudguards, seats, helmets, and headlight assemblies are among the other well-liked items on eBay.
Aluminum
India imported 1,00,285 cargoes of aluminium between March 2023 and February 2024 (TTM), according to Volza’s India Import data. 6,536 Chinese exporters provided these imports to 4,905 Indian consumers, representing a 14% increase over the previous 12 months. During this time, India purchased 9,093 cargoes of aluminium from China in February 2024 alone.
Glass and glassware
India imported 279 shipments of Chinese glass between March 2023 and February 2024 (TTM), according to Volza’s India Import data. During this time, India purchased 12 shipments of glass from China in February 2024 alone. This represents a sequential increase of -57% from January 2024 and a year-over-year growth of -60% from February 2023.
China Imports to India: What’s the Benefit of Importing for Indian Businesses?
Despite the fact that China went through its worst economic turmoil in a decade last year, it has managed to bounce back by thawing its relationships with India on the long-run border disputes and approaching even closer to Russia amidst the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Here are some of the reasons why importing high-demand products in India from China has always been in India’s economic favour, and the Indian manufacturing industry highly relies on the Chinese raw material export.
- Affordability
There is no doubt that Chinese raw materials are perfectly affordable for developing countries to produce high-quality products on a larger scale and at lesser production costs. Therefore, Indian businesses and manufacturing industry are highly dependent on Chinese raw material suppliers for higher profit margins.
- Diversity
China produces a wide variety of goods in many different industries. Businesses may find nearly any product they require, right from consumer items and machinery to textiles and electronics. Businesses may expand their product offerings and meet a variety of market demands thanks to this wide range of products.
- Trade Relations
India-China trade relations are probably the most dynamic business tie-up in the contemporary global business landscape. The booming Indian manufacturing industry requires cheap raw materials in bulk to increase their surplus and minimise their overall production costs. This requirement comes down to Chinese imports and India will aim towards maintaining good trade relations with China to neutralise any further border dispute escalations.
- Access to the potential market
Being the world’s second-most populous country, China indeed has a vast and potential consumer base for Indian businesses and startups to invest in. So, for Indian businesses, China stands as a major destination to export finished goods and commodities.
Wrapping Up
The global economy is booming, and so are the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements among the world’s major economies. As India marches ahead on the path of becoming a global manufacturing power, imports from China will continue to rise as both countries emphasise increased cooperation and communication. The two biggest economies by population might promote mutual advantages and accelerate economic expansion for the greater good!
So if you are planning to start an eCommerce business in India, you can start by importing these high-demand products in India from China. When in need of a reliable international shipping partner, NimbusPost has got your back!
FAQs
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Which product is most imported from China?
Electrical and electronic equipment ranks highest in the list of top 50 products imported from China to India, which stood at US$44.15 billion in 2023.
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What is China’s biggest export?
Electromechanical products were the highest exported products from China in 2024, accounting for 59.4 percent of its total export value.
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What are 3 items that China imports?
Electrical and electronic equipment with an overall value of 44.15 billion, machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers with an overall value of 21.70 billion, and organic chemicals with an overall value of 13.27 billion were the top 3 products imported from China to India in 2024.
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Who is China’s biggest customer?
In November 2024, China’s highest exporting destination was the United States, with an overall trade volume of $47.3 billion.
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What does China sell the most?
Telephones ($24.5 billion), computers ($14.4 billion), integrated circuits ($13.8 billion), commodities ($8.99 billion), and automobiles ($6.86 billion) were China’s top sold products as of November 2024.
