India Iron Steel Scrap HS7204 Import Data 2025 June Overview

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import: Key Takeaways

India’s Iron Steel Scrap (HS Code 7204) imports in June 2025 reveal a market heavily reliant on the US for bulk, lower-grade supply, with the US accounting for 28% of import weight at $0.89/kg. Buyers face moderate concentration risk, requiring strategic diversification across high-volume suppliers like Brazil and Malaysia and premium sources like the UK and Australia. The market shows stable demand, with pricing tiers reflecting distinct quality clusters. This analysis, covering June 2025, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import Background

What is HS Code 7204?

HS Code 7204 covers waste and scrap of iron or steel; remelting ingots of iron or steel, a critical raw material for steel production. This category includes sub-types like cast iron scrap and stainless steel scrap, widely used in recycling and manufacturing industries. Global demand remains stable due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainability benefits in steelmaking.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India reinstated a 2.5% customs duty on HS Code 7204 imports in February 2022, after a brief reduction to 0% [Recycling Today]. As of June 2025, no further changes have been announced, maintaining this rate for India Iron Steel Scrap HS Code 7204 Import flows. India’s reliance on scrap imports highlights its strategic role in balancing domestic steel production needs with global supply chains, necessitating close monitoring of trade policy shifts.

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In June 2025, India's import of Iron Steel Scrap under HS Code 7204 reached 594.24 million USD in value and 396.93 million kg in volume, marking a noticeable decline from the previous month's figures.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The monthly trend shows a decrease in both value and volume from May to June, with value dropping by approximately 15% and volume by 12%. This dip aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the scrap metal industry, where reduced construction and industrial activity during early summer often lead to lower import demand. Over the second quarter of 2025, total import value fell by about 13% compared to the first quarter, reflecting cyclical adjustments in stock replenishment and production schedules rather than abrupt market shifts.

External Context and Outlook

The import duty for HS Code 7204 has remained stable at 2.5% since February 2022, as confirmed by [Recycling Today], with no changes reported in June 2025. This policy consistency helps explain the absence of major volatility, as steady costs support predictable trade flows. Looking ahead, India Iron Steel Scrap imports will likely continue to be driven by domestic industrial demand and global price movements, with the stable duty environment providing a foundation for gradual market adjustments.

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In June 2025, India's import of Iron Steel Scrap under HS Code 7204 is heavily concentrated in general ferrous waste and scrap, not elsewhere specified. According to yTrade data, the sub-code for ferrous waste and scrap n.e.c. dominates with a 60% value share and 66% weight share, at a unit price of 1.37 USD per kilogram. This low price points to a bulk commodity trade. Anomalies like tinned iron scrap and remelting scrap ingots are isolated due to minimal volume and unreliable pricing.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into three groups: bulk scrap like cast iron at 0.93 USD/kg, medium-grade such as stainless steel at 1.68 USD/kg, and high-value forms like turnings and shavings at 7.96 USD/kg. This structure shows a mix of fungible bulk materials and differentiated, higher-value products, with alloy steel scrap also commanding premium prices around 4.52 USD/kg.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Iron Steel Scrap HS Code 7204 Import in 2025 June, the market favors bulk buyers with pricing power tied to global indices, while niche players can focus on premium grades. The stable 2.5% customs duty, unchanged since 2022 [Recycling Today], supports consistent import costs, emphasizing volume efficiency for strategic advantage.

Check Detailed HS 7204 Breakdown

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Iron Steel Scrap HS Code 7204 Import in 2025 June shows the United States as the dominant supplier, providing over 28% of total import weight and nearly 17% of total value. The US ships large volumes at a lower average price of $0.89/kg, indicating it supplies bulk, lower-grade scrap. This price point reflects its role as a high-volume commodity source for India's steel recycling sector.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Suppliers form three clear groups. Brazil and Malaysia form a high-volume, medium-value cluster, moving large tonnages but at competitive prices, positioning them as major raw material sources. The United Kingdom and Australia represent a mid-volume, higher-value group, suggesting shipments of more processed or premium-grade scrap. A third cluster, including South Korea and Thailand, consists of smaller-volume suppliers offering specialized or higher-quality scrap, as seen in their higher value-to-weight ratios.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Buyers should maintain diversified sourcing, using the US for base volume needs while leveraging Brazil and Malaysia for cost-effective bulk supply. The 2.5% import duty [Recycling Today] makes price sensitivity critical, favoring suppliers with lower logistics costs. For higher-grade requirements, buyers should develop relationships with UK and Australian suppliers, though their smaller shipment sizes require careful inventory planning.

Table: India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Iron Steel Scrap (HS 7204) 2025 June Import: Action Plan for Iron Steel Scrap Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Iron Steel Scrap Import market under HS Code 7204 in 2025 June is a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by material grade and global scrap indices. Bulk, lower-grade scrap from the United States sets the baseline price. Higher-value forms like turnings or alloy steel command significant premiums.

Supply chain implications focus on volume efficiency and grade diversification. The market is dominated by a core group of high-volume domestic buyers. They require consistent, large shipments of standard scrap. The stable 2.5% customs duty supports predictable import costs. This structure favors bulk procurement from major suppliers like the US, Brazil, and Malaysia for base needs. Niche, higher-grade requirements are met by smaller-volume partners like the UK or Australia.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Iron Steel Scrap Market Execution

• Target high-frequency, high-value buyers with bulk pricing. Use trade data to identify and directly engage the top 20% of importers who drive over 68% of value. This secures large, recurring orders and ensures stable revenue.
• Diversify sourcing using US bulk and premium UK/Australian suppliers. Leverage US shipments for cost-effective base volume. Use UK and Australian partners for specialized, higher-margin grades. This balances cost control with access to premium markets.
• Monitor real-time unit prices by HS sub-code to optimize sales mix. Track daily prices for bulk scrap versus high-value forms like turnings. Shift marketing focus to higher-margin products when premiums widen. This maximizes profit per shipment.
• Analyze competitor shipments to key Indian ports for logistics planning. Identify which routes and ports competitors use for bulk deliveries. Negotiate better freight rates on high-volume routes. This reduces landed cost and improves competitiveness.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Iron Steel Scrap Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Iron Steel Scrap Import 2025 June?

The decline in value (15%) and volume (12%) from May to June aligns with seasonal scrap metal demand patterns, as reduced industrial activity lowers import needs. The stable 2.5% duty since 2022 supports predictable trade flows despite cyclical adjustments.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Iron Steel Scrap Import 2025 June?

The United States dominates with 28% of import weight and 17% of value, supplying bulk scrap. Brazil and Malaysia form a high-volume cluster, while the UK and Australia provide mid-volume, higher-grade shipments.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Iron Steel Scrap Import 2025 June partner countries?

Price gaps reflect grade specialization: the US ships bulk scrap at $0.89/kg, while premium products like alloy steel scrap ($4.52/kg) and turnings ($7.96/kg) command higher prices from niche suppliers.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Iron Steel Scrap?

Prioritize relationships with dominant high-volume buyers (68% of value) and diversify sourcing—bulk from the US/Brazil, and premium grades from the UK/Australia—to balance cost and quality needs.

Q5. What does this India Iron Steel Scrap import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers like the US benefit from steady bulk demand, while the UK/Australia can leverage niche opportunities. All must compete on price sensitivity due to India’s 2.5% duty structure.

Q6. How is Iron Steel Scrap typically used in this trade flow?

Imported scrap feeds India’s steel recycling sector, with bulk grades used for foundational production and high-value alloys/turnings for specialized manufacturing needs.