India Coal Briquettes Import Market -- HS 2701 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)

India Coal Briquettes Import (HS 2701) Key Takeaways

India's coal briquettes import market under HS Code 2701 in Q2 2025 is dominated by bulk, low-grade coal (sub-code 27011920), with a sharp quarterly decline from $3.17B in April to $2.61B in June. Supplier concentration is high, with 76% of import value controlled by a few trading firms, while Indonesia accounts for 54% of supply—highlighting significant supply chain risks. The market’s volatility reflects regulatory changes and seasonal demand shifts, urging diversification beyond Indonesia, particularly to higher-grade suppliers like Australia and Russia. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for Q2 2025.

India Coal Briquettes Import (HS 2701) Background

What is HS Code 2701?

HS Code 2701 covers coal; briquettes, ovoids, and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal, primarily used in power generation, steel production, and industrial heating. These compressed coal products offer efficient energy output, making them critical for energy-intensive industries. Global demand remains stable due to their role in bridging energy transitions and supporting industrial output.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s coal briquettes import under HS Code 2701 relies heavily on Indonesia, which supplied over 54% of imports in May 2025 at $0.27/kg [ytrade.com]. New customs mandates, effective December 2024, require detailed declarations for ash content and calorific value to streamline imports (ytrade.com). With imports rising 5.7% year-on-year in early 2025, India’s dependence on foreign coal highlights the need for supply diversification and compliance vigilance. Monitoring hs code 2701 trade data is essential to navigate regulatory shifts and mitigate supply chain risks.

India Coal Briquettes Import (HS 2701) Price Trend

Key Observations

India's coal briquettes imports under HS code 2701 in Q2 2025 displayed a clear downward trajectory, with values decreasing from $3.17 billion in April to $2.61 billion in June. This quarter's performance contributed to an overall volatile first half of the year for the India Coal Briquettes Import trend.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2701 value trend started 2025 with a dip in February to $2.37 billion, rebounded strongly in March and April, but then declined sequentially through May and June. This pattern suggests shifting demand dynamics, possibly influenced by inventory adjustments in power generation and industrial sectors, where coal stockpiles are often built up post-winter and drawn down as seasonal energy needs stabilize.

External Context and Outlook

The observed volatility aligns with recent regulatory changes, as Indian Customs implemented new declaration requirements in December 2024 for ash content and calorific value, potentially causing import disruptions or compliance delays [ytrade.com]. With over 54% reliance on Indonesian supplies, the market remains susceptible to external shocks, urging importers to monitor policy updates and diversify sources to mitigate risks (ytrade.com).

India Coal Briquettes Import (HS 2701) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for Q2 2025, India's HS Code 2701 import market is heavily concentrated in sub-code 27011920, which represents over half of the value and quantity for coal other than anthracite and bituminous. This sub-code has a low unit price of $0.33 per kilogram, indicating a focus on bulk, low-value coal imports. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 27011290, with a unit price of $233.75 per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes can be grouped into two main categories based on coal grade: lower-grade coal (27011920 and 27011990) with unit prices from $0.33 to $1.05 per kilogram, and higher-grade coal (27011910 and 27011100) ranging from $0.64 to $1.23 per kilogram. This structure, dominated by raw coal forms, points to a fungible bulk commodity trade, where prices are likely tied to global indices rather than product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

India's HS Code 2701 import data reveals limited pricing power for buyers due to the bulk commodity nature and high reliance on key suppliers like Indonesia, as noted by ytrade.com. Strategic focus should be on diversifying import sources and adhering to updated customs regulations to mitigate supply risks and ensure compliance.

Check Detailed HS Code 2701 Breakdown

India Coal Briquettes Import (HS 2701) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Indonesia is the dominant origin for India's Coal Briquettes imports in Q2 2025, accounting for 27.6% of the total import value. Its 53.8% share of total weight is nearly double its value share, confirming its role as the primary supplier of bulk, lower-value coal. This large gap between weight and value shares points to a heavy reliance on cost-effective, mass-volume shipments from Indonesia to meet India's energy and industrial fuel needs.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining partners form two clear clusters. Australia (24.1% value, 10.6% weight) and Russia (16.1% value, 10.2% weight) form a high-yield cluster; their value shares significantly outpace their weight contributions, indicating they supply higher-grade, premium coal varieties. South Africa (12.7% value, 14.9% weight) and the United States (12.0% value, 5.8% weight) form a volume/hub cluster, providing substantial tonnage. The other nations, including Mozambique and Colombia, form a small transactional cluster with minimal shares, likely representing opportunistic or niche supply deals.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

India's high import concentration on Indonesia creates notable supply chain risk. External news confirms this, noting a 54% reliance on Indonesian supply and urging diversification to mitigate geopolitical or market volatility [ytrade.com]. The strategy should therefore prioritize developing Australia and Russia as alternative sources for higher-grade coal, while also managing new regulatory mandates for detailed customs declarations on ash content and calorific value that took effect in late 2024.

Table: India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

India's coal briquettes import market in Q2 2025 is heavily concentrated. According to yTrade data, a small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers handles 76.39% of the total import value and 69.77% of all shipments. This core group, including firms like VISA COMMODITIES AG and SBN TRADE LIMITED, defines the typical trade flow for India coal briquettes import suppliers, moving large volumes consistently.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining suppliers fall into three groups. High-value, low-frequency importers like ALPHA METALLURGICAL COAL SALES LLC bring in significant volumes but less often. Two other clusters handle smaller, more frequent or irregular shipments. The profile of HS code 2701 suppliers indicates an intermediated market, dominated by trading companies rather than direct miners or end-users, which points to a strong agent-driven supply chain.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

India's heavy reliance on a few large trading firms creates vulnerability to supply or price shocks. The strategy should focus on diversifying sources, especially since [ytrade.com] notes a 54.16% dependence on Indonesia. Building relationships with the reliable high-frequency cluster is key, but developing direct ties with producers could reduce risks and costs. (ytrade.com)

Table: India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Coal Briquettes Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Coal Briquettes import market is a bulk commodity trade. This structure creates specific price drivers and risks. Prices are primarily driven by global coal indices and the grade of coal imported. The hs code 2701 trade data confirms a heavy reliance on low-cost, high-volume supply from Indonesia. This creates significant geopolitical and supply chain risk.

The market's concentration among a few large trading firms limits buyer pricing power. The Coal Briquettes supply chain is therefore vulnerable to disruptions from any single supplier or origin country. India's strategy must focus on securing supply and managing cost volatility.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Coal Briquettes Market Execution and Expansion

• Diversify import sources using origin country data. Actively develop new contracts with suppliers from Australia and Russia. This reduces over-reliance on Indonesia and secures access to higher-grade coal.
• Build direct relationships with mining producers, bypassing intermediaries. Use hs code 2701 trade data to identify and contact major mining companies. This lowers costs and improves supply chain security.
• Strictly monitor and declare coal quality metrics for every shipment. Implement a system to track ash content and calorific value. This ensures full compliance with India's 2024 customs regulations and avoids penalties.
• Use supplier frequency data to plan inventory and avoid stockouts. Track the shipment patterns of high-frequency, high-value suppliers. This prevents production halts due to supply delays.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Coal Briquettes Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Coal Briquettes Import 2025 Q2?

India's coal briquettes imports declined from $3.17 billion in April to $2.61 billion in June, reflecting volatile demand and potential disruptions from new customs regulations on ash content and calorific value. The high reliance on Indonesian supply (54%) also exposes the market to external shocks.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of India Coal Briquettes (HS Code 2701) 2025 Q2?

Indonesia dominates with 27.6% of import value, followed by Australia (24.1%) and Russia (16.1%). Indonesia supplies bulk, lower-grade coal, while Australia and Russia provide higher-grade varieties.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of India Coal Briquettes Import?

Price differences stem from coal grade variations: lower-grade coal (e.g., sub-code 27011920) averages $0.33/kg, while higher-grade coal (e.g., 27011100) reaches $1.23/kg. Indonesia’s bulk shipments skew cheaper.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Coal Briquettes?

Importers should diversify sources beyond Indonesia (54% reliance) and prioritize relationships with high-frequency suppliers like VISA COMMODITIES AG to mitigate supply chain risks.

Q5. What does this India Coal Briquettes import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of higher-grade coal (Australia, Russia) have leverage due to India’s demand for premium varieties, while bulk suppliers (Indonesia) face pressure to maintain cost competitiveness.

Q6. How is Coal Briquettes typically used in this trade flow?

Coal briquettes are primarily used as bulk fuel for power generation and industrial processes, with lower-grade varieties meeting mass energy needs and higher-grade coal serving specialized applications.

Detailed Monthly Report

India HS2701 Import Snapshot 2025 APR

India HS2701 Import Snapshot 2025 MAY

India HS2701 Import Snapshot 2025 JUN