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The twenty imports India is best placed to replace.

India imported USD 300bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 285bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 13bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
233products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1747products India already exports well
2120product 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

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

    Comes fromChina 80%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices... (exports USD 1.6bn)
    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 35 per cent (1); China supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 1.5bnup 87% on 2022
  2. 2

    Copper: tubes and pipes, of refined copperHS 741110

    Comes fromVietnam 63%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, stainless: casing and tubing of a kind used in drilling for... (exports USD 1m)
    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
  3. 3

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

    Comes fromChina 60%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTextile machinery: for extruding, drawing, texturing or cutting... (exports USD 21m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 534m, top 4 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
  4. 4

    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 mirrors: framed, excluding rear-view mirrors for vehicles (exports USD 66m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 529m, top 4 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
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromChina 87%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTable linen: of man-made fibres, not knitted or crocheted (exports USD 27m)
    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 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 484mup 28% on 2022
  6. 6

    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 strengthElectrical capacitors: variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors (exports USD 9m)
    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 7 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
  7. 7

    Loudspeakers: not mounted in their enclosuresHS 851829

    Comes fromChina 67%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOffice machines: not elsewhere classified (exports USD 357m)
    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 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 375mdown 7% on 2022
  8. 8

    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: foil, (not backed), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mm... (exports USD 103m)
    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 8 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
  9. 9

    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 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 121m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 306m, top 8 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
  10. 10

    Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar...HS 420212

    Comes fromChina 74%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap... (exports USD 443m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 93m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 285m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 285mdown 6% on 2022
  11. 11

    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, woven: of cotton, bleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2... (exports USD 2m)
    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 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 170mdown 40% on 2022
  12. 12

    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, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured... (exports USD 117m)
    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 19 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
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 40%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    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
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromOman 42%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    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
  15. 15

    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 strengthnone named
    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
  16. 16

    Mixed alkylbenzenes and mixed alkylnaphthalenes, other than those of heading no. 2707 or 2902HS 381700

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 56%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthParaformaldehyde (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 419m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 419mdown 30% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cocoa: powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matterHS 180500

    Comes fromIndonesia 72%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 240m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Indonesia supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 240mup 66% on 2022
  18. 18

    Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels and the like: of other agglomerated abrasives or of ceramicsHS 680422

    Comes fromChina 67%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 233m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 233mdown 1% on 2022
  19. 19

    Adhesives: prepared, based on polymers of heading 3901 to 3913 or on rubberHS 350691

    Comes fromChina 63%, 57 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAnti-oxidising preparations and other compound stabilisers: for... (exports USD 138m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 74m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 169m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 231m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 231mup 32% on 2022
  20. 20

    Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness of less than 0.5mmHS 721935

    Comes fromChina 87%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 230m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to India's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 230mup 61% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

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.

  • 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%
  • Yarn, artificial: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of viscose... imports USD 327m, exports USD 24m, top source China 99%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of... imports USD 850m, exports USD 577m, top source Japan 63%
  • Aluminium: foil, (not backed), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mm, not rolled imports USD 371m, exports USD 103m, top source China 55%
  • Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids: acid oils from refining: (other than... imports USD 551m, exports USD 287m, top source Indonesia 65%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2120 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 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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