India Ethylene Polymers Import Market -- HS 3901 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)

India Ethylene Polymers Import (HS 3901) Key Takeaways

India's ethylene polymers import under HS code 3901 in Q2 2025 was dominated by bulk-grade high-density polyethylene, with Saudi Arabia supplying 27% by weight, reflecting reliance on Middle Eastern sources for raw materials. The market showed volatility, peaking in May at $594 million before dropping sharply in June, signaling demand shifts. Supplier concentration is high, with 90% of imports controlled by a core group, creating supply chain risks. This analysis, covering Q2 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

India Ethylene Polymers Import (HS 3901) Background

What is HS Code 3901?

HS Code 3901 covers polymers of ethylene, in primary forms, including polyethylene resins and polyolefin elastomers. These materials are critical for industries like packaging, automotive, and construction 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 import market operates under existing customs duties and GST rates, with no major policy changes reported for Q2 2025 [Eximguru]. The country relies heavily on imports under HS Code 3901, sourcing from key suppliers like China and South Korea to meet domestic industrial demand [Seair]. India's strategic position as a major importer underscores the need for vigilance in tracking hs code 3901 trade data, especially amid fluctuating global commodity prices. Monitoring India's ethylene polymers import trends is essential for stakeholders to navigate potential supply chain or tariff shifts.

India Ethylene Polymers Import (HS 3901) Price Trend

Key Observations

India's ethylene polymers import trend under HS code 3901 in Q2 2025 showed a peak of $594.19 million in May, but declined sharply to $447.65 million in June, indicating volatile performance during the quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 3901 value trend demonstrated a steady upward momentum from March ($497.00 million) through May ($594.19 million), aligning with typical post-winter inventory builds in industrial sectors, but the June drop to $447.65 million suggests a market correction or seasonal demand softening, possibly due to reduced manufacturing activity or stock adjustments.

External Context and Outlook

According to [Eximguru], no new policy changes affected HS code 3901 imports in Q2 2025, with stable customs duties under Chapter 39 likely supporting consistent trade flows (Eximguru). The volatility in values may instead reflect broader economic factors, such as fluctuating global polymer prices or domestic demand shifts, pointing to a cautious outlook for the coming months.

India Ethylene Polymers Import (HS 3901) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's import of ethylene polymers under HS Code 3901 in Q2 2025 is dominated by high-density polyethylene, specifically the sub-code for polyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more. This product accounts for over 27% of the import value and 31% of the weight, with a unit price of 2.30 USD per kilogram, which is lower than many other grades, indicating a focus on bulk, commodity-grade material. An anomaly with negligible share and no priced data has been isolated and excluded from further analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes can be grouped into three categories based on specific gravity and copolymer types: low-specific gravity polyethylene (less than 0.94), ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Unit prices range from 1.84 to 3.93 USD per kilogram, showing variation that suggests differentiated grades rather than perfectly fungible commodities. This structure points to a trade in primary forms where quality and specific applications drive pricing, rather than pure bulk indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players in India's HS Code 3901 import market, the commodity-like nature of the dominant product implies limited pricing power, with competition likely centered on cost efficiency and supply chain optimization. External sources indicate that customs duties and GST rates remain stable with no new policies in Q2 2025, reinforcing a predictable regulatory environment for these imports. Strategic focus should be on sourcing higher-value copolymers to capture better margins, as shown in the HS Code 3901 trade data.

Check Detailed HS Code 3901 Breakdown

India Ethylene Polymers Import (HS 3901) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Saudi Arabia is the dominant source for India's Ethylene Polymers imports in 2025 Q2, holding a 27.08% share by weight. Its weight share exceeds its value share of 20.75%, indicating trade focused on bulk raw materials rather than finished products. This pattern suggests India imports lower-grade or base forms of Ethylene Polymers from Saudi Arabia for domestic processing.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top origins form three clusters based on India's Ethylene Polymers import data. The volume cluster includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman, with high weight shares pointing to bulk shipments for industrial use. The high-yield cluster comprises South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, where value shares outpace weight, implying imports of specialized or premium polymer grades. China falls into the transactional cluster due to its high frequency share, suggesting regular, smaller orders for flexible supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

India's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern sources for Ethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 creates supply chain vulnerabilities from geopolitical risks. Diversifying imports to include more high-yield Asian partners could enhance stability. Recent trade data shows no major policy shifts in 2025 Q2, with customs duties remaining steady, so current sourcing strategies may continue but should be monitored for changes.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In 2025 Q2, the India Ethylene Polymers import suppliers market is heavily dominated by a core group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers. According to yTrade data, this cluster handles 89.83% of the total import value, with 20.74 thousand shipments moving 575.71 million units. This shows that typical trade for India Ethylene Polymers Import suppliers involves large, regular bulk shipments, ensuring steady supply chains.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 3901 suppliers indicates an intermediated market, led by major chemical producers and trading firms like ExxonMobil Chemical and Al Rabih General Trading. These high-value, high-frequency players act as key intermediaries, facilitating bulk commodity flows. Other clusters, such as low-frequency suppliers, contribute smaller shares but may offer niche or backup options, reflecting a structured yet diversified supplier base.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Indian importers, the heavy reliance on high-frequency suppliers means strategic focus should be on maintaining strong relationships with these core partners to ensure volume stability. The risk lies in potential supply disruptions from few dominant players, but the steady import environment, as noted in [Eximguru] with no new policy changes, supports continued bulk sourcing. This setup favors a centralized sourcing model, minimizing complexity but requiring vigilance on supplier performance.

Table: India Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Ethylene Polymers Supplier lists

Action Plan for Ethylene Polymers Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Ethylene Polymers Import market under hs code 3901 trade data reveals a commodity-driven structure. Price is primarily determined by polymer grade and specific gravity, with bulk HDPE grades trading at lower margins. Geopolitical risks from heavy Middle Eastern sourcing add cost volatility. The Ethylene Polymers supply chain implication is a high dependence on bulk shipments for domestic processing, requiring robust supply security measures.

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

• Diversify sourcing beyond Middle Eastern hubs using hs code 3901 trade data. Target high-yield partners in South Korea and Japan to access premium grades and reduce geopolitical supply risks.
• Negotiate contracts with high-frequency suppliers for volume stability. Lock in bulk pricing with core partners like ExxonMobil to ensure cost efficiency and continuous material flow.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics for any delivery disruptions. Track shipment frequency and volumes to quickly identify and address potential Ethylene Polymers supply chain bottlenecks.
• Analyze unit price trends by polymer grade to optimize purchasing. Prioritize buying higher-margin copolymers when possible to improve profitability beyond commodity HDPE.
• Use trade data to align inventory with supplier shipment cycles. Schedule stock arrivals to match high-frequency delivery patterns and avoid overstock or production delays.

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 Q2?

India's ethylene polymers imports peaked in May 2025 ($594.19M) but dropped sharply in June ($447.65M), reflecting volatile demand or inventory adjustments. The dominance of bulk-grade high-density polyethylene (27% import value) suggests price sensitivity to commodity market fluctuations.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of India Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) 2025 Q2?

Saudi Arabia leads with 27.08% weight share, followed by UAE and Oman for bulk shipments, while South Korea, Singapore, and Japan supply higher-value specialized grades.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of India Ethylene Polymers Import?

Prices range from 1.84 to 3.93 USD/kg due to grade differentiation: Saudi Arabia ships low-cost bulk polyethylene (2.30 USD/kg), while Asian suppliers provide premium copolymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate.

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

Prioritize relationships with high-frequency suppliers (handling 89.83% of import value) for stability, while diversifying into high-yield Asian sources to mitigate Middle East supply risks.

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

Middle Eastern suppliers benefit from steady bulk demand, but Asian producers have opportunities to expand premium copolymer exports given India’s price-sensitive yet diversified sourcing.

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

Imported primarily in primary forms (e.g., high-density polyethylene) for domestic processing into industrial or packaging materials, leveraging cost-efficient bulk grades.

Detailed Monthly Report

India HS3901 Import Snapshot 2025 APR

India HS3901 Import Snapshot 2025 MAY

India HS3901 Import Snapshot 2025 JUN