India Recorded Media HS8524 Import Data 2025 August Overview

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import: Key Takeaways

India's Recorded Media imports under HS Code 8524 in August 2025 show heavy reliance on China, which dominates 85.40% of volume but supplies lower-cost products, while Southeast Asia emerges for higher-value alternatives. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, reveals a concentrated buyer landscape and underscores the need for supply chain diversification to mitigate risks.

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import Background

What is HS Code 8524?

HS Code 8524 covers records, tapes, and other recorded media for sound or other phenomena, including matrices and masters. This category is critical for industries like entertainment, education, and data storage, where physical and digital media formats remain in demand despite the shift to streaming. Global trade in recorded media remains stable due to niche markets and archival needs, ensuring consistent import-export activity.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised from "Restricted" to "Free" in 2022, signaling eased trade barriers for recorded media [TaxGuru]. This shift aligns with India’s growing media consumption and production demands, positioning the country as a key importer of recorded media in 2025. With August marking peak demand ahead of festive seasons, vigilance on tariff changes and supply chain dynamics is essential for stakeholders in the India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025 August trade flow.

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In August 2025, India's import of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 stood at $1.02 billion with a volume of 86.61 thousand kg, marking a noticeable decline from the previous month's highs.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The August figures show a sharp month-over-month decrease, with value dropping 16% from July's $1.22 billion and volume falling 67% from 264.84 thousand kg. This pullback follows a peak in July, which may reflect typical inventory cycles in the media industry, where imports surge ahead of seasonal demand periods like festive or back-to-school seasons before tapering off. Over 2025, imports have been volatile, but the overall trend remains supported by policy liberalization.

External Context and Outlook

The import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised from 'Restricted' to 'Free' in early 2022 [TaxGuru], which has likely facilitated increased access and variability in flows. The August dip could stem from temporary market adjustments or global supply chain nuances, but the liberalized framework underlines a stable outlook for India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025 August, with potential recovery aligned to demand cycles. (TaxGuru)

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, the India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import market in August 2025 is dominated by flat panel display modules without drivers or control circuits, specifically sub-code 85241190, which holds a 62.93% quantity share and 22.27% value share. This product has a low unit price of 1.66 USD per unit, highlighting a specialization in high-volume, lower-cost items. Extreme price anomalies are present, such as sub-code 85249130 at 84.56 USD per unit and 85249190 at 0.72 USD per unit, which are isolated from the main analysis due to their outlier status.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes can be grouped into three categories based on value-add stage and technology. Basic LCD modules without drivers, like 85241190 and 85241130, form the bulk with unit prices from 1.66 to 29.23 USD per unit. Enhanced LCD modules with drivers, such as 85249120 and 85249110, show medium unit prices around 10.01 to 21.08 USD per unit. OLED modules, including 85241220 and 85249220, represent higher-value offerings with unit prices from 26.43 to 50.97 USD per unit. This structure indicates a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible bulk commodities, with clear gradations in technology and integration.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, pricing power is stronger in higher-value segments like OLED modules, while bulk LCD items face intense competition due to lower unit prices. The import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised from 'Restricted' to 'Free' in 2022 [TaxGuru], likely increasing market access and competition in 2025. Strategic focus should shift towards developing or sourcing differentiated, higher-margin products to capitalize on value-added opportunities in the India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import landscape for August 2025.

Check Detailed HS 8524 Breakdown

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, India's import of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 is overwhelmingly dominated by China Mainland, which accounts for 85.40% of the quantity and 72.49% of the value. The lower value share compared to quantity share suggests China supplies lower-cost, mass-produced items, typical for manufactured goods like recorded media. This concentration indicates heavy reliance on China for bulk imports during this period.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form two main clusters: China (including Hong Kong) with high volume and value, and Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Singapore with smaller shares. Vietnam, for example, has a value share of 13.58% but only 0.98% quantity, implying it might supply higher-value or specialized recorded media. This clustering points to China as the primary manufacturing hub, while Southeast Asia could be emerging as alternative sourcing regions for cost or quality variations.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For supply chains, the heavy dependence on China requires strategies to diversify sources to reduce risks and potentially tap into higher-value options from regions like Southeast Asia. The policy change to free import [TaxGuru] supports easier access, which could lead to increased competition and more flexible sourcing for India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 imports in 2025.

Table: India Recorded Media (HS 8524) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 August Import: Action Plan for Recorded Media Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Recorded Media Import 2025 August market under HS Code 8524 is driven by product technology and OEM contract volumes. High-volume, low-cost LCD modules dominate trade. But higher-value OLED and enhanced LCD items offer better margins. Buyers are concentrated. A few large, frequent importers drive 85% of value. This creates reliance risk. Geographically, China supplies 85% of volume. This highlights assembly hub dependence. The 2022 policy shift to free import increases competition. Supply chains must focus on technology upgrades and source diversification.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Recorded Media Market Execution

• Analyze HS Code 8524 sub-component data monthly. Identify high-margin OLED and driver-integrated LCD items. This targets profitable niches away from bulk competition.
• Use buyer frequency and value data to prioritize relationship management with top importers. Secure recurring contracts. This protects revenue from dominant clients.
• Map import partner clusters beyond China. Develop sourcing options in Vietnam and Singapore for higher-value items. This reduces supply chain risk and taps quality variations.
• Monitor policy updates and competitor entry post-import liberalization. Adjust pricing and product mix rapidly. This capitalizes on new market opportunities under free import status.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Recorded Media Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Recorded Media Import 2025 August?

The August 2025 decline (-16% value, -67% volume vs. July) reflects typical inventory cycles, likely post-peak demand adjustments. Policy liberalization (shift to 'Free' import status in 2022) supports long-term market access but increases volatility.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Recorded Media Import 2025 August?

China dominates with 85.40% quantity and 72.49% value share, followed by Vietnam (13.58% value, 0.98% quantity). Southeast Asian markets like Singapore also contribute smaller shares.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Recorded Media Import 2025 August partner countries?

Price differences stem from product specialization: bulk LCD modules (e.g., 85241190 at 1.66 USD/unit) dominate China trade, while Vietnam supplies higher-value OLED modules (e.g., 85249220 at 50.97 USD/unit).

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Recorded Media?

Prioritize relationships with high-value frequent buyers (84.80% of import value) but diversify sourcing to mitigate China dependence, exploring higher-margin OLED modules from Southeast Asia.

Q5. What does this India Recorded Media import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers in China benefit from bulk demand but face competition, while Southeast Asian producers can leverage niche opportunities in high-value segments like OLED modules.

Q6. How is Recorded Media typically used in this trade flow?

Imported recorded media components (e.g., LCD/OLED modules) are likely integrated into consumer electronics or industrial displays, given the graded structure from basic to advanced technologies.