India Ethylene Polymers HS3901 Import Data 2025 May Overview

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

India’s Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) Import in 2025 May reveals a dual-supplier landscape, with Saudi Arabia dominating bulk supply at lower prices ($1.63/kg) while the U.S. and South Korea cater to high-value demand ($2.83-$3.34/kg). The Middle East accounts for 54% of import weight, emphasizing cost efficiency, while specialized grades come from premium partners. This analysis, covering 2025 May, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 May Import Background

What is HS Code 3901?

HS Code 3901 covers Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms, including polyethylene with specific gravity below 0.94 (e.g., linear low-density polyethylene). 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 development.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India's Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) imports in May 2025 face a 7.5% Basic Customs Duty (BCD), alongside 18% IGST and a 10% Social Welfare Surcharge [Eximguru]. No new import restrictions were reported, but trade data shows steady shipment growth, reflecting robust industrial demand [Cybex]. India’s reliance on these polymers underscores the need for market vigilance, especially with potential FTA-driven duty optimizations.

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

Key Observations

In May 2025, India's imports of Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 reached 594.19 million USD in value and 237.82 million kg in volume, reflecting a strong monthly performance driven by increased industrial demand.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Month-over-month, import value rose by 14.2% from April, while volume jumped 25.1%, indicating a surge in procurement ahead of the typical monsoon season when packaging and agricultural sectors ramp up stock. This pattern aligns with seasonal replenishment cycles in plastics manufacturing, where higher volume imports often accompany pre-monsoon preparation. The slight decrease in unit price suggests competitive sourcing or efficient supply chain adjustments, supporting the overall growth momentum.

External Context and Outlook

The stable import environment, with a consistent 7.5% basic customs duty as noted by [Eximguru], has underpinned this growth without policy disruptions. Steady trade activity, as highlighted in Volza's data, reinforces a positive outlook for India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import in 2025 May, with continued demand expected from key downstream industries.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, the India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import market for 2025 May is dominated by high-density polyethylene under code 39012000, which holds a 27.6% value share and a 30.2% weight share. This product, polyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more, trades at a unit price of $2.28 per kg. A notable price anomaly exists with code 39014010, an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, which has a much lower unit price of $1.19 per kg despite a high weight share; this outlier is isolated from the main analysis pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous imports form two clear groups. The first includes lower-density polyethylenes (codes 39011020, 39011090, 39011010) with unit prices between $2.23 and $3.51 per kg. The second group comprises higher-value ethylene copolymers (39014090, 39013000, 39019000) priced from $3.02 to $4.06 per kg. This structure confirms a bulk commodity market where price is directly tied to technical specifications like density and copolymer type, not brand differentiation. Products are fungible and likely linked to global resin indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import 2025 May, buyers have limited pricing power due to the commodity nature of these products. Suppliers compete on grade specifications and cost efficiency. The 7.5% basic customs duty [CusBuzz] reinforces cost sensitivity. Importers should focus on securing consistent volumes of specific polymer grades and leverage free trade agreements to reduce duty costs, as steady shipment growth continues [EximGuru].

Check Detailed HS 3901 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Ethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Import in 2025 May shows a clear geographic concentration, with Saudi Arabia as the dominant supplier by a wide margin. It provided 32.48% of the total import weight but only 21.19% of the total value, a significant disparity that points to a lower average unit price of approximately $1.63/kg and confirms its role as a primary source for bulk, commodity-grade material.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The supplier base forms two distinct clusters. The first is a Middle Eastern bloc, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman. These countries collectively account for over 54% of the import weight, leveraging their integrated petrochemical industries and proximity to offer cost-competitive, large-volume shipments. The second cluster consists of the United States and South Korea, which command higher unit prices (around $2.83/kg and $3.34/kg, respectively), suggesting they supply higher-value, specialized polymer grades for more demanding applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For buyers, this landscape dictates a dual sourcing strategy. The Middle East remains the optimal region for securing large volumes of standard-grade material at the lowest cost. The U.S. and South Korea are critical partners for sourcing specialized products that ensure quality for high-end manufacturing. With a stable import duty structure of a 7.5% basic customs duty [Cusbuzz], importers should also actively leverage any applicable Free Trade Agreements to improve cost efficiency further.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Ethylene Polymers Import 2025 May market under HS Code 3901 operates as a bulk commodity sector. Price is primarily driven by polymer grade specifications like density and copolymer type, not brand. Global resin indices and Middle Eastern supply dominance set baseline costs. Geopolitical stability and petrochemical feedstock prices directly impact landed costs. The 7.5% basic customs duty further heightens cost sensitivity. Supply chain implications are clear: India functions as a processing hub requiring secure, high-volume flows of standardized materials. Over-reliance on any single supplier or buyer segment creates vulnerability. Cost efficiency depends on strategic sourcing from integrated producers and leveraging trade agreements.

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

• Target high-value, frequent buyers with volume-based contracts. This ensures stable revenue and optimizes logistics for bulk shipments.
• Diversify sourcing between Middle Eastern and specialized suppliers. Use trade data to balance cost-effective standard grades from Saudi Arabia with premium products from South Korea or the U.S.
• Analyze HS Code 3901 subcategories for price anomalies. Avoid overpaying for misclassified commodities like copolymer 39014010 and focus on true market rates.
• Leverage Free Trade Agreements for duty reduction. Apply FTA benefits to shipments from qualifying partners to lower total import costs by 2-5%.
• Convert low-frequency, high-value buyers into regular clients. Use engagement data to identify project-based demand and offer structured supply agreements.

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 May?

India's ethylene polymer imports surged in May 2025, with a 14.2% value and 25.1% volume increase from April, driven by pre-monsoon stockpiling for packaging and agricultural sectors. The slight price dip reflects competitive sourcing or supply chain adjustments.

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

Saudi Arabia dominates with 32.48% of import weight, followed by the UAE, Qatar, and Oman (collectively 54% weight share). The U.S. and South Korea supply higher-value grades at premium prices.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: Middle Eastern suppliers focus on bulk commodity-grade polyethylene ($1.63/kg), while the U.S. and South Korea provide pricier ($2.83–$3.34/kg) specialized copolymers.

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

Prioritize securing consistent volumes of specific polymer grades from dominant Middle Eastern suppliers for cost efficiency, while leveraging FTAs to offset the 7.5% customs duty.

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

Middle Eastern exporters can rely on stable bulk demand, while U.S./South Korean suppliers should highlight technical advantages for high-value applications to maintain premium pricing.

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

These polymers are fungible commodities primarily used in packaging, agriculture (e.g., mulch films), and manufacturing, with grades selected based on density and copolymer requirements.