India Cyclic Hydrocarbons HS2902 Import Data 2025 May Overview

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import: Key Takeaways

India’s Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS Code 2902) imports in May 2025 reveal a market dominated by commodity-grade products, with Kuwait supplying 22.83% of total value at lower unit prices (2.32 USD/kg). Middle Eastern and East Asian clusters form the core supply network, highlighting the need for strategic diversification to mitigate risks. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covers May 2025 imports, ensuring timely and reliable insights.

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import Background

What is HS Code 2902?

HS Code 2902 covers cyclic hydrocarbons, including cyclanes, cyclenes, and cycloterpenes such as cyclohexane, benzene, and toluene. These chemicals are critical raw materials for industries like pharmaceuticals, plastics, and petrochemicals, driving steady global demand due to their versatile applications. India’s reliance on imports under this code reflects its growing industrial base and need for these essential inputs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s cyclic hydrocarbons (HS Code 2902) imports in May 2025 face a 2.5% basic customs duty, 18% GST, and a 10% social welfare surcharge, with no major policy shifts reported [SEAIR]. The country remains a top importer, sourcing derivatives like cyclopentane and diethyl to meet domestic demand [Credlix]. Strategic sourcing under FTAs could optimize costs, but vigilance is needed to navigate compliance and potential tariff adjustments in this high-volume trade flow.

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In May 2025, India's import of Cyclic Hydrocarbons under HS Code 2902 reached 599.07 million USD in value and 226.40 million kg in volume, marking a notable monthly trade level despite a sequential decline.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The May figures represent a decrease from April's 717.69 million USD value and 246.54 million kg volume, reflecting a month-over-month dip of approximately 16.5% in value and 8.2% in volume. This downturn aligns with typical seasonal demand patterns in the chemical industry, where mid-year often sees reduced industrial activity due to pre-monsoon inventory adjustments and slower production cycles. The volatility from January to May 2025 suggests ongoing stock replenishment phases, with April's peak potentially indicating pre-summer buildup ahead of the May contraction.

External Context and Outlook

India's import policy for HS Code 2902 remains stable with a 2.5% basic customs duty and 18% GST [seair.co.in], providing a consistent framework that supports trade resilience. The May decline may stem from temporary market factors, such as fluctuating global feedstock prices or domestic industrial slowdowns, rather than policy shifts. Historical import growth noted in earlier data (Volza.com) suggests this dip is likely short-term, with expectations for recovery aligned with broader economic demand cycles.

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, in May 2025, India's imports of Cyclic Hydrocarbons under HS Code 2902 are dominated by Styrene (HS Code 29025000), which holds a 44% value share despite a moderate unit price of 3.08 USD per kilogram. This indicates a strong market focus on this specialized chemical. An outlier is HS Code 29029010, with a high unit price of 42.49 USD per kilogram, representing a niche, high-value product isolated from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports fall into two groups: bulk aromatics like Toluene and Xylenes with unit prices around 1.59 to 3.43 USD per kilogram, and other cyclic hydrocarbons such as Cyclanes excluding cyclohexane and Cumene with prices from 2.09 to 8.32 USD per kilogram. This mix points to a trade in mostly fungible bulk commodities, where prices are likely tied to market indices, alongside some semi-finished products with slight differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Cyclic Hydrocarbons HS Code 2902 Import in 2025 May, pricing power resides with suppliers of high-value items like the outlier, while bulk importers face competitive pressures. The import duty of 2.5% and GST of 18% [seair.co.in] increase costs, making strategic sourcing from low-duty partners crucial for cost efficiency.

Check Detailed HS 2902 Breakdown

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

For India Cyclic Hydrocarbons HS Code 2902 Import in 2025 May, KUWAIT is the dominant supplier by value, holding a 22.83% share of total import value. However, its value ratio is slightly lower than its weight ratio, suggesting that KUWAIT supplies products with a lower unit price, around 2.32 USD per kilogram, which points to commodity-grade cyclic hydrocarbons.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top suppliers form three clear clusters. First, Middle Eastern countries like KUWAIT, SAUDI ARABIA, and OMAN likely provide raw or less processed cyclic hydrocarbons due to their oil production bases. Second, East Asian nations such as SOUTH KOREA and CHINA show strong presence, with SOUTH KOREA leading in quantity share at 58.01% for bulk shipments, while CHINA offers higher value per weight. Third, Southeast Asian partners including SINGAPORE and THAILAND act as processing or trade hubs for more refined products.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Importers should diversify sources across these clusters to ensure stable supply and manage cost risks. The low import duty of 2.5% on cyclic hydrocarbons [Cybex] keeps costs reasonable, but exploring free trade agreements with key partners could yield additional savings (Cybex).

Table: India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Cyclic Hydrocarbons (HS 2902) 2025 May Import: Action Plan for Cyclic Hydrocarbons Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Cyclic Hydrocarbons Import market for 2025 May under HS Code 2902 is a commodity-driven trade. Price is primarily set by global oil indices and product grade. Bulk aromatics like Toluene have low prices near 1.59-3.43 USD/kg. High-value niche products command premiums. Supply security is critical. The market depends on three regional clusters: Middle Eastern sources for raw materials, East Asian partners for volume, and Southeast Asian hubs for processed goods. A 2.5% import duty and 18% GST add cost pressure. Buyer concentration heightens risk—72% of value comes from one group of frequent, high-volume purchasers.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Cyclic Hydrocarbons Market Execution

• Target the dominant buyer segment first. Use trade data to identify their order frequency and volume patterns. This ensures stable revenue and minimizes client acquisition costs.
• Diversify sourcing across supplier clusters. Compare unit prices and reliability metrics from Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Southeast Asian partners. This reduces geopolitical risk and cost volatility.
• Analyze HS Code 2902 subcategories for premium opportunities. Focus on high-unit-price items like HS 29029010 (42.49 USD/kg). This captures higher margins in niche applications.
• Model total landed cost including duty and GST. Calculate scenarios with different origin countries and incoterms. This optimizes final cost and maintains competitiveness.
• Monitor the top buyer group for demand shifts. Set alerts for changes in their purchase volume or frequency. This allows rapid response to market disruptions.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Cyclic Hydrocarbons Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Cyclic Hydrocarbons Import 2025 May?

The May 2025 decline of 16.5% in value and 8.2% in volume reflects seasonal demand patterns, likely due to pre-monsoon inventory adjustments and temporary industrial slowdowns, following April’s peak.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Cyclic Hydrocarbons Import 2025 May?

Kuwait leads with a 22.83% value share, followed by Middle Eastern (Saudi Arabia, Oman) and East Asian (South Korea, China) suppliers, each cluster serving distinct roles from bulk commodities to refined products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Cyclic Hydrocarbons Import 2025 May partner countries?

Prices vary by product grade: bulk aromatics like Toluene average 1.59–3.43 USD/kg, while niche items like HS Code 29029010 command 42.49 USD/kg, reflecting commodity versus specialized chemical trade.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Cyclic Hydrocarbons?

Prioritize relationships with dominant high-value buyers (72% market share) and diversify sources across Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Southeast Asian clusters to mitigate supply risks.

Q5. What does this India Cyclic Hydrocarbons import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers from Kuwait and East Asia have stable demand for bulk commodities, while niche producers can target India’s smaller high-value segments, though competition is intense for core industrial buyers.

Q6. How is Cyclic Hydrocarbons typically used in this trade flow?

Imports primarily support industrial chemical processes, with bulk aromatics used in mass production and specialized grades for niche applications like advanced chemical synthesis.