India Ethylene Polymers HS3901 Import Data 2025 January Overview

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

India’s January 2025 Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) imports reveal a commodity-driven market, dominated by bulk, lower-grade sourcing from the UAE (18.28% value share) and other Middle Eastern suppliers, with higher-value alternatives from the US and Europe. Buyer concentration remains moderate, but heavy reliance on oil-linked regions exposes supply chain risks to price volatility and geopolitical shifts. This analysis, covering January 2025, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 January Import Background

What is HS Code 3901?

HS Code 3901 covers polymers of ethylene, in primary forms, including polyethylene resins like linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). 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 consumer goods.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India's import policies for Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) are shaped by a 7.5% basic duty, 18% IGST, and 10% social welfare surcharge [Cybex]. The country relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand, particularly for high-grade resins used in industrial applications. With India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import 2025 January data under scrutiny, market participants must monitor tariff adjustments and supply chain dynamics to navigate this strategically vital trade flow.

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

Key Observations

India's Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import for January 2025 opened with a value of $419.28 million. This initial monthly figure sets a baseline for the year, though the absence of reported volume (0.00 weight) limits a full assessment of physical trade flows.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The opening month's value reflects typical post-holiday industrial resumption, as manufacturers rebuild polymer stocks after December slowdowns. Without prior-month or year-ago comparisons, the value alone suggests steady feedstock demand from packaging, construction, and consumer goods sectors—core drivers of ethylene polymer consumption. The lack of volume data implies potential data reporting lags common in early-year trade statistics.

External Context and Outlook

Import activity likely operated under stable policy conditions, as India's customs duty structure for plastics (Chapter 39) remained consistent [Eximguru]. The basic duty of 7.5% and IGST of 18% [Cybex] provided predictable costs for importers. This regulatory stability, coupled with firm industrial demand, supports a steady outlook for India Ethylene Polymers imports in early 2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In January 2025, India's import of Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 was dominated by high-density polyethylene, specifically sub-code 39012000 for polyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more. According to yTrade data, this sub-code held a 31% value share but a 39% quantity share, indicating a lower unit price and specialization in bulk commodity imports, with an implied rate around 1.57 USD per kilogram. No extreme price anomalies were present in the data set.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 in January 2025 includes low-density polyethylene (sub-codes 39011020, 39011090, 39011010) with specific gravity below 0.94, copolymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (39013000) and ethylene-alpha-olefin types (39014090, 39014010), and a miscellaneous category (39019000). This grouping reflects a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are standardized and pricing is likely tied to global plastic indices due to their primary form nature.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import in January 2025, the commodity-based market implies limited pricing power for players, necessitating a focus on cost-efficient sourcing and supply chain optimization. General trade sources note that import duties impact costs [Eximguru], reinforcing the need for strategic procurement to compete effectively.

Check Detailed HS 3901 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, India's import of Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 is led by the United Arab Emirates, which accounts for 18.28% of the total value and 20.26% of the quantity, showing a slight value deficit that points to bulk, lower-grade commodity sourcing. The United States and Saudi Arabia follow closely, with similar patterns of high volume but marginally lower value ratios, reinforcing the commodity nature of these imports where price and volume drive decisions over quality.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form two main clusters: Middle Eastern nations like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman contribute high volumes at lower value ratios, likely due to their oil-rich economies enabling cost-effective raw material production. A second cluster includes developed economies such as the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Germany, which show higher value per unit, suggesting they supply more specialized or higher-grade polymers, possibly for advanced manufacturing needs. China stands out with moderate volume but the lowest value ratio among top partners, indicating its role as a source for budget-friendly options.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For buyers in India, the heavy reliance on Middle Eastern sources for Ethylene Polymers underscores the need to monitor oil price fluctuations and geopolitical stability to avoid supply disruptions. Diversifying suppliers toward higher-value clusters could mitigate risks and support quality upgrades in domestic manufacturing, while maintaining cost efficiency through competitive sourcing from regions like China.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India Ethylene Polymers Import 2025 January under HS Code 3901 is a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by global plastic indices and oil prices. Quality grade and geopolitical stability in supplier regions also shape costs. The supply chain implication is high reliance on Middle Eastern sources. This creates supply security risks from oil market shifts or regional disruptions. India acts as a processing hub for these raw materials.

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

• Use HS Code sub-data to track price per kilogram by grade. This identifies cost-saving opportunities in bulk purchasing.
• Monitor buyer frequency reports to anticipate order cycles from dominant clients. This prevents revenue loss from order reductions.
• Analyze supplier country data for geopolitical and cost trends. This diversifies sources to avoid supply chain disruptions.
• Engage small, infrequent buyers with targeted offers. This builds a broader client base and reduces dependency on major accounts.
• Track customs duty updates from Eximguru for cost forecasting. This maintains competitive pricing in a low-margin market.

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 January?

The $419.28 million import value reflects steady post-holiday industrial demand for feedstock in packaging, construction, and consumer goods, with stable customs duties ensuring predictable costs.

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

The UAE leads with 18.28% of import value, followed by the US and Saudi Arabia, which supply bulk commodities and specialized grades, respectively.

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

Price differences stem from bulk commodity imports (e.g., UAE’s high-density polyethylene at ~1.57 USD/kg) versus higher-grade polymers from developed economies like the US or Germany.

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

Importers should prioritize cost-efficient sourcing from dominant Middle Eastern suppliers while diversifying toward higher-value clusters (e.g., US, Germany) to mitigate supply risks.

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

Suppliers from the UAE and China benefit from bulk demand, while advanced economies can leverage opportunities in specialized polymer segments for niche Indian manufacturers.

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

These standardized bulk commodities primarily serve industrial applications like packaging, construction materials, and consumer goods manufacturing.