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The twenty imports India is best placed to replace.

India imported USD 349bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 315bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 17bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
431products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1747products India already exports well
2249product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing India already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in India would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and India does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Copper: unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refiningHS 740200

    Comes fromZambia 75%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum... (exports USD 546m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 28m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Zambia supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 2.1bnup 4% on 2022
  2. 2

    Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing...HS 170114

    Comes fromBrazil 100%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing... (exports USD 1.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 340m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 1.6bnfrom USD 230m in 2022
  3. 3

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up...HS 854142

    Comes fromChina 80%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 22bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 39m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 1.8bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 1.5bnup 87% on 2022
  4. 4

    Copper: tubes and pipes, of refined copperHS 741110

    Comes fromVietnam 63%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum... (exports USD 546m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 58m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Vietnam supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bnup 28% on 2022
  5. 5

    Limestone flux: limestone and other calcareous stone, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cementHS 252100

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 79%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 539m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 709m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); United Arab Emirates supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 709mup 8% on 2022
  6. 6

    Natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminium calcium phosphates and phosphatic chalk: groundHS 251020

    Comes fromMorocco 45%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 539m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 126k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 644m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Morocco supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 644mdown 20% on 2022
  7. 7

    Weaving machines (looms): for weaving fabrics of a width exceeding 30cm, shuttleless typeHS 844630

    Comes fromChina 60%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 2.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 534m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 534mdown 19% on 2022
  8. 8

    Glass: safety glass, toughened (tempered), (not of a size and shape suitable for incorporation in vehicles, aircraft...HS 700719

    Comes fromChina 93%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other... (exports USD 449m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 46m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 529m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 529mup 50% on 2022
  9. 9

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyedHS 540752

    Comes fromChina 87%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthYarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex)... (exports USD 542m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 160m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 85m
    Countries that export it well5

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 484m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 484mup 28% on 2022
  10. 10

    Machines: for making gimped yarn, tulle, lace, embroidery, trimmings, braid or net and machines for tuftingHS 844790

    Comes fromChina 87%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 2.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 134m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 380m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 380mup 53% on 2022
  11. 11

    Loudspeakers: not mounted in their enclosuresHS 851829

    Comes fromChina 67%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 22bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 375m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 375mdown 7% on 2022
  12. 12

    Ferro-alloys: ferro-nickelHS 720260

    Comes fromIndonesia 91%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-silico-manganese (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 444m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 372m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Indonesia supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 372mdown 10% on 2022
  13. 13

    Aluminium: foil, (not backed), rolled (but not further worked), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mmHS 760711

    Comes fromChina 85%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed) (exports USD 3.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 85m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 104m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 331m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 331mup 3% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by...HS 600410

    Comes fromChina 91%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 172m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 121m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 306m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 306mup 146% on 2022
  15. 15

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 71%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle)... (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 243m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 199m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 199mdown 21% on 2022
  16. 16

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyedHS 600632

    Comes fromChina 82%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 172m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 126m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 170m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 170mdown 40% on 2022
  17. 17

    Fabrics: pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 600192

    Comes fromChina 92%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 172m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 140m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 140mdown 17% on 2022
  18. 18

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 40%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, animal or vegetable: whether or not mixed together or... (exports USD 38m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 45m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.1bn
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 2.8bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 2.8bndown 53% on 2022
  19. 19

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromOman 42%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, animal or vegetable: whether or not mixed together or... (exports USD 38m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 291m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Oman supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 2.1bndown 69% on 2022
  20. 20

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes...HS 852492

    Comes fromChina 46%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 22bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 55m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 3.9bn
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 725m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 725mup 135% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products India already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding... imports USD 9.7bn, exports USD 5.9bn, top source Germany 23%
  • Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells... imports USD 2.8bn, exports USD 1.6bn, top source China 81%
  • Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional... imports USD 1.1bn, exports USD 546m, top source United Arab Emirates 72%
  • Derivatives of hydrocarbons n.e.c. in heading no. 2904, whether or not... imports USD 494m, exports USD 41m, top source Kuwait 85%
  • Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN imports USD 3.3bn, exports USD 2.9bn, top source United States 65%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or... imports USD 715m, exports USD 350m, top source South Korea 39%
  • Antibiotics: n.e.c. in heading no. 2941 imports USD 940m, exports USD 621m, top source China 86%
  • Vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the... imports USD 704m, exports USD 388m, top source Norway 48%
  • Lead: unwrought, unrefined, not containing by weight antimony as the principal... imports USD 461m, exports USD 146m, top source Philippines 10%
  • Yarn, artificial: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of viscose... imports USD 327m, exports USD 24m, top source China 99%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2249 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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