India Ethylene Polymers HS3901 Import Data 2025 April Overview

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import: Key Takeaways

India's Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) imports in April 2025 reveal Saudi Arabia as the dominant supplier, accounting for 19.95% of import value and 22.12% of weight, indicating a focus on standard, lower-value commodity grades. The market shows a clear split between oil-rich Middle Eastern nations offering cost-effective bulk supplies and industrialized countries like the US and South Korea providing specialized, higher-grade polymers. Buyers should diversify sources beyond the Middle East to mitigate geopolitical risks and access premium products. This analysis, covering April 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import Background

What is HS Code 3901?

HS Code 3901 covers polymers of ethylene, in primary forms, including polyethylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers. These materials are critical for packaging, construction, and automotive industries due to their durability and versatility. Global demand remains stable, driven by their widespread use in manufacturing and infrastructure projects.

Current Context and Strategic Position

As of April 2025, India maintains a 7.5% basic customs duty, 18% IGST, and 10% social welfare surcharge on ethylene polymers (HS Code 3901) imports [Cybex]. The absence of new trade restrictions or preferential tariff adjustments reflects steady market conditions. India’s reliance on imports—primarily from the U.S., China, and South Korea—highlights its strategic position as a key consumer in the global ethylene polymers trade. Vigilance is essential to monitor potential shifts in supply chains or policy updates affecting India’s HS Code 3901 imports in 2025.

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

India's Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import for 2025 April reached a value of $520.20M and a volume of 190.11M kg, marking the highest monthly performance in the year's first quarter. This represents a significant sequential uptick, underscoring robust industrial procurement activity during the period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Q1 2025 data shows a clear upward trajectory, with April’s import value rising 4.7% month-on-month from March’s $497.00M. Volume also grew 8.1% over the same period. This surge aligns with typical seasonal inventory buildup ahead of increased manufacturing demand in sectors like packaging and construction. Year-on-year, the strong April figures suggest sustained growth in domestic consumption of ethylene-based products, driven by steady industrial expansion and supply chain replenishment cycles.

External Context and Outlook

Stable import policy conditions supported this growth, with duty structures remaining unchanged at 7.5% basic customs duty and 18% IGST as noted in [Cybex]. Key suppliers including the U.S., China, and South Korea continued to meet India’s rising demand without trade disruptions. Looking ahead, consistent industrial demand and reliable supply channels are expected to maintain import momentum for Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901.

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, India's import of Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 was heavily concentrated in high-density polyethylene, specifically the sub-code for polyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more. According to yTrade data, this product accounted for over a quarter of the total import value, with a unit price of 2.33 USD per kilogram, which is lower than many other grades, indicating a focus on bulk, cost-effective imports. An anomaly was noted for a minor sub-code with a null unit price, which has been isolated from the main analysis due to insignificant volume.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports are grouped into two main categories: low-density polyethylene variants and copolymer types. Low-density products, with specific gravity below 0.94, show unit prices ranging from 2.21 to 3.37 USD per kilogram, while copolymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate average around 3.13 USD per kilogram. This structure, with consistent primary forms and price variations based on density and composition, points to a trade in fungible bulk commodities where pricing is closely tied to material grade rather than high value-add differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import in 2025 April, the commodity-like nature suggests limited pricing power for Indian buyers, with suppliers likely dictating terms due to standardized products and steady demand. [Cybex] reports stable import duties, reinforcing a predictable cost environment. Strategic focus should be on securing reliable supply chains for high-volume grades like high-density polyethylene, while monitoring grade-specific price shifts for cost optimization.

Check Detailed HS 3901 Breakdown

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In April 2025, India's import of Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 was heavily concentrated, with Saudi Arabia as the dominant supplier, accounting for 19.95% of import value and 22.12% of weight. The lower value ratio compared to weight ratio suggests Saudi Arabia primarily supplies standard, lower-value commodity grades, with an estimated unit price below the average for India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import 2025 April.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top suppliers form two clear clusters. First, oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman show high volume but lower value per kilogram, due to their abundant petrochemical resources and cost-effective production. Second, industrialized countries such as the US, South Korea, and Singapore offer medium volumes with higher value density, likely providing specialized or higher-grade polymers suited for advanced manufacturing needs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For buyers, focusing on diversifying sources beyond the Middle East could reduce geopolitical risks and tap into higher-quality supplies from the US or South Korea. The stable import duty structure, with a basic customs duty of 7.5% and IGST of 18% as noted in [Cusbuzz], means cost planning remains predictable, urging attention to logistics and supplier reliability for efficient supply chains.

Table: India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Import: Action Plan for Ethylene Polymers Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Ethylene Polymers Import under HS Code 3901 in April 2025 operates as a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by material grade quality and geopolitical stability of key suppliers. High-volume, low-cost grades from oil-rich nations dominate. This creates supply chain implications centered on securing reliable bulk flows and managing exposure to Middle Eastern geopolitics. India acts as a processing hub, dependent on consistent raw material inputs for its manufacturing sector.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Ethylene Polymers Market Execution

• Use HS Code sub-category data to track price differentials between standard and specialized polymer grades. This allows cost-efficient sourcing based on actual production needs.
• Analyze buyer frequency patterns to forecast inventory requirements and avoid overstock or shortages. High-frequency buyers indicate stable demand cycles.
• Diversify suppliers by targeting industrialized nations like the US or South Korea for higher-grade polymers. This reduces over-reliance on Middle Eastern sources and mitigates geopolitical risk.
• Monitor customs duty updates regularly to maintain accurate cost projections. Stable duties support predictable budgeting and long-term contracts.
• Leverage trade data to identify emerging buyer segments or niche opportunities. This helps capture additional market share beyond dominant bulk buyers.

Forward Outlook: Key Risks and Opportunities

India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import in 2025 April faces risks from supply concentration and price volatility. However, stable demand and predictable duties offer opportunities for strategic sourcing and supply chain optimization. Focus on data-driven buyer engagement and grade-specific procurement to maximize value.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Ethylene Polymers Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Ethylene Polymers Import 2025 April?

April 2025 saw a 4.7% month-on-month rise in import value ($520.20M) and 8.1% volume growth, driven by seasonal inventory buildup for industrial demand in packaging and construction. Stable import duties (7.5% basic + 18% IGST) further supported this surge.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Ethylene Polymers Import 2025 April?

Saudi Arabia dominated with 19.95% of import value, followed by the UAE, Qatar, and the US. Oil-rich Gulf nations supplied bulk commodity grades, while industrialized partners like the US offered higher-value specialized polymers.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Ethylene Polymers Import 2025 April partner countries?

Price gaps stem from material grades: high-density polyethylene (0.94+ specific gravity) averaged $2.33/kg, while low-density variants and copolymers ranged up to $3.37/kg. Gulf suppliers focused on cheaper bulk commodities.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Ethylene Polymers?

Prioritize securing high-volume grades (e.g., high-density polyethylene) from reliable Gulf suppliers while diversifying to US/South Korea for specialized grades. Monitor dominant buyer segments (86% of trade value) for pricing trends.

Q5. What does this India Ethylene Polymers import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers from oil-rich nations benefit from steady bulk demand, while industrialized exporters can leverage niche demand for premium grades. Over-reliance on India’s dominant buyer segment (82% transaction frequency) poses stability risks.

Q6. How is Ethylene Polymers typically used in this trade flow?

Imported polymers are fungible bulk commodities, primarily for packaging and construction industries, with pricing tied to density (e.g., high-density vs. low-density) rather than high value-add differentiation.