What Does India Import from China? Top Products & MSME Guide (2026)

What does India import from China? India imported goods worth about US$113.5 billion from China in FY 2024-25, led by electronics and electrical equipment, machinery, organic chemicals, plastics, solar cells, batteries, steel products and consumer goods. China is India’s largest source of imports, and the trade deficit hit a record US$99.2 billion.

Most lists online stop at big national categories. This guide goes further: it explains which of these products Indian MSMEs can realistically import, what duty and compliance (BIS, WPC, CDSCO) each needs, and how to pick a profitable product for your own business.

How much does India import from China?

According to Commerce Ministry data reported in April 2025, India’s imports from China rose about 11.5% to US$113.46 billion in FY 2024-25, while India’s exports to China fell to US$14.25 billion. That left a trade deficit of about US$99.2 billion, the highest ever. Electronics, EV batteries, solar cells and industrial inputs drove the increase.

Year	Imports from China	Exports to China	Trade deficit
FY 2023-24	US$101.7 bn	US$16.7 bn	about US$85 bn
FY 2024-25	US$113.5 bn	US$14.3 bn	US$99.2 bn

For exact figures by HS code, check the Department of Commerce trade data (TradeStat), which lists imports country-wise and product-wise.

What are the main products India imports from China?

Category	Typical products	Who imports them
Electronics and electrical equipment	Mobile phone parts, ICs, PCBs, LED lights, chargers, telecom gear, solar cells	Manufacturers, assemblers, traders
Machinery and equipment	Industrial machines, pumps, motors, CNC and packaging machines, spare parts	Factories and MSME units
Organic and inorganic chemicals	APIs, dyes, pigments, specialty chemicals	Pharma, textile and chemical units
Plastics and rubber	Polymers, plastic goods, packaging	Packaging and consumer brands
Iron, steel and metal products	Fasteners, hardware, tools, fittings	Hardware traders, builders
Batteries and EV parts	Lithium-ion cells, battery packs, EV components	EV makers, energy storage
Consumer and home goods	Kitchenware, home decor, furniture, toys, stationery, gifts	Retailers, e-commerce sellers, interior designers
Medical devices and supplies	Diagnostic kits, disposables, equipment	Hospitals, distributors
Textiles and fibres	Synthetic yarn, fabrics, garment accessories	Garment manufacturers
Auto components	Lighting, sensors, wiring harnesses, accessories	Auto parts dealers and workshops

Large companies import intermediate goods (chips, APIs, chemicals) for manufacturing. MSMEs and traders mostly import finished goods, spare parts and machinery, and that is where most small importers find good margins.

Which products from China can Indian MSMEs import profitably?

From the big categories above, these are the ones small and medium businesses import most often, with steady demand and manageable compliance:

1. LED lights and electrical fittings for contractors, shops and projects. BIS registration is needed for LED lamps.
2. Home and kitchen products such as organisers, storage, cookware accessories and decor. Light, easy to ship and in demand on Amazon and Flipkart.
3. Furniture and interior products from Foshan for showrooms, hotels and interior designers. Ship by sea; furniture now falls under a BIS quality control order.
4. Hardware, tools and fittings for hardware stores and builders.
5. Machinery and spare parts such as packaging, printing and CNC machines. Fewer competitors and high order value.
6. Mobile and computer accessories such as cases, stands, cables and holders. Chargers, power banks and wireless items need BIS and sometimes WPC approval.
7. Packaging material for brands and e-commerce sellers.
8. Auto accessories and parts for dealers and workshops.
9. Gifts, stationery and festive items from Yiwu, ideal before Diwali and wedding season.

For margin ideas and how to test a product, read our guide Is importing from China to India profitable?

What duty and compliance apply to popular China imports?

Duty and approvals depend on the 8-digit HS code. A few examples from the IFC duty database (rates as of October 2026; confirm for your exact HS code):

Product (HS code)	BCD	IGST	Key compliance
Laptops and tablets (8471 30 10)	0%	18%	DGFT import authorisation, BIS CRS, WPC for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
LED lamps (8539 52 00)	20% + SWS	18%	BIS CRS registration mandatory
Wooden furniture (9403 60 00)	20% + 5% AIDC	18%	BIS furniture QCO, plant quarantine for wood
Toys (Chapter 95)	70%	As per GST slab	BIS mandatory

Check any product’s duty on the India import duty rates page, and read our import duty guide to understand BCD, SWS and IGST. Electronics importers should read BIS registration for electronics from China.

How do you choose the right product to import from China?

1. Start with your market. Pick products you can sell: your shop, B2B clients, Amazon or Flipkart.
2. Check rules before price. Find the HS code and confirm BIS, WPC, FSSAI, CDSCO or import authorisation needs.
3. Compare China prices on Alibaba, 1688 or wholesale markets in Yiwu and Guangzhou.
4. Calculate landed cost: product price + freight + duty + clearance + delivery. Air DDP is about ₹750/kg for general goods (50 kg+), and sea is roughly half.
5. Compare with the Indian selling price. For retail, aim for at least 2x landed cost.
6. Start with a sample order, then scale.

Worked example: landed cost of LED lamps from China

Suppose you import LED lamps with a CIF value of ₹1,00,000 (BCD 20%, SWS 10% of BCD, IGST 18%):

Assessable value (CIF)	₹1,00,000
BCD 20%	₹20,000
SWS 10% of BCD	₹2,000
IGST 18% on ₹1,22,000	₹21,960
Total duty	₹43,960
Less IGST credit (if GST registered)	– ₹21,960
Real duty cost	₹22,000

This is why a GSTIN matters: the IGST part can usually be claimed as input tax credit, so your real duty cost is the BCD and SWS.

Which China imports are restricted or risky for small importers?

• Branded copies: seized at customs under IPR rules.
• Toys: 70% BCD plus mandatory BIS, so not ideal for beginners. See our toy import guide.
• Laptops, tablets and PCs: need DGFT import authorisation.
• Medical devices, drugs and cosmetics: need CDSCO registration or import licence.
• Batteries and liquids: costlier to ship by air and need special handling.
• Goods under anti-dumping duty: some Chinese products carry extra duty, so always check before ordering.

How IFC helps Indian businesses import from China

IFC (Imports From China) has worked in China–India imports for 20+ years, since 2004, and has served 5000+ Indian businesses. We have our own offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu with translators and English-speaking staff. We help with product sourcing, supplier verification, quality inspection, BIS/HSN/duty guidance, LCL/FCL sea and air cargo, customs clearance and door-to-door DDP delivery to major Indian cities. Start with our China product sourcing service.

Conclusion

India imports everything from chips to chairs from China, worth over US$113 billion a year. For an MSME, the opportunity lies in finished goods, parts and machinery where you control the selling price. Check the HS code and compliance first, calculate your full landed cost, start with a sample, and scale what sells.

Frequently asked questions