India Recorded Media HS8524 Import Data 2025 February Overview

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

India's Recorded Media (HS Code 8524) Import in February 2025 reveals heavy reliance on China, which supplied 40.76% of volume but only 25.15% of value, signaling bulk imports of lower-cost products. The market shows a clear split between high-volume Asian hubs and higher-value partners like Singapore and South Korea. Buyer concentration remains a risk, while the free import policy since 2022 allows flexibility but demands diversification for supply chain resilience. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 February 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 demand remains stable due to the global reliance on physical and digital media formats. India’s import of these products reflects both domestic consumption and re-export potential, particularly in sectors requiring archival or specialized media.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised from 'Restricted' to 'Free' in February 2022, allowing unrestricted imports as of February 2025 [TaxGuru]. This shift aligns with India’s broader trade liberalization efforts, though customs duty rates remain unchanged. Given India’s growing media and entertainment sector, Recorded Media imports under HS 8524 are strategically significant, requiring close monitoring of global supply chains and potential policy adjustments. Vigilance is key to navigating this evolving trade landscape.

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

Key Observations

India's Recorded Media imports under HS Code 8524 for February 2025 totaled 789.32 million USD with a volume of 31.41 thousand kg, indicating robust activity early in the year despite a sequential decline.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The import value fell by approximately 25% month-over-month from January's 1.05 billion USD, which aligns with typical post-holiday demand softening in the media sector, where Q1 often sees inventory adjustments after peak consumption periods. Volume data for January is not available, but the February volume points to sustained import flows, suggesting that underlying demand remains steady despite the value drop.

External Context and Outlook

The import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised to 'Free' in 2022 [TaxGuru], removing restrictions and likely supporting import resilience. While the monthly dip may reflect short-term market fluctuations, the favorable policy environment underpins a positive outlook for India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025, with potential recovery as seasonal demand cycles progress.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import in 2025 February is dominated by OLED display modules without drivers, specifically the sub-code for flat panel display modules of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), without drivers or control circuits. This product accounts for over one-third of the total import value, with a unit price of $43.00 per unit, indicating a focus on mid-to-high value components. An anomaly is present in a sub-code for liquid crystal modules without drivers, which has a significantly lower unit price of $1.82 per unit and is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes can be grouped into two main categories: high-value OLED modules with drivers, averaging around $45-76 per unit, and various LCD modules with drivers, ranging from $5.50 to $78.96 per unit. This structure shows a trade in differentiated manufactured goods, with clear distinctions based on technology (OLED vs. LCD) and integration level (with or without drivers), rather than fungible bulk commodities. The wide price range reflects varying quality grades and value-add stages within the supply chain.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the differentiation in products suggests that pricing power is tied to technological superiority and integration complexity, with OLED variants commanding higher margins. The import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised to 'Free' from 'Restricted' in 2022 [TaxGuru], which may increase competition but also opportunities for sourcing advanced components without restrictions, reinforcing the need for focus on high-value segments in India's 2025 February imports.

Check Detailed HS 8524 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import in 2025 February shows China Mainland as the dominant source, with 40.76% of quantity and 25.15% of value, indicating a lower unit price that suggests bulk imports of mass-produced, lower-end products. This disparity between high quantity share and lower value share points to China's role in supplying cost-effective recorded media, likely due to large-scale manufacturing capabilities.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top sources form two main clusters: first, high-volume Asian hubs like China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, which offer competitive pricing and efficient logistics for bulk orders. Second, higher-value partners such as Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea, with their advanced tech sectors, provide more specialized or premium recorded media, reflecting their expertise in electronics and media production.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import, the free import policy since 2022 [TaxGuru] allows easy sourcing, but heavy reliance on China risks supply chain disruptions. Buyers should diversify to higher-value clusters for quality or negotiate better terms with bulk suppliers to balance cost and reliability in 2025.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Recorded Media Import 2025 February under HS Code 8524 is dominated by differentiated manufactured goods. Price is driven by product specification and technology, with OLED modules commanding higher margins than LCD variants. Supply chain reliance on China for bulk, lower-cost components creates vulnerability to disruptions. India acts as an assembly hub, dependent on imported high-tech sub-components.

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

• Analyze buyer purchase frequency data to forecast demand cycles and optimize inventory levels, preventing overstock or stockouts.
• Compare unit prices by origin country to identify cost-efficient suppliers for bulk LCD modules and premium OLED sources, maximizing margin potential.
• Monitor top buyer transactions for order pattern changes, enabling proactive relationship management to secure high-volume contracts.
• Diversify sourcing using trade data to engage suppliers from high-value clusters like South Korea or Taiwan, reducing dependency on any single origin.
• Leverage the free import policy for HS Code 8524 to test new suppliers with small trial orders, minimizing risk while expanding the supply base.

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 February?

India's Recorded Media imports declined by 25% month-over-month in February 2025, likely due to post-holiday demand softening. However, underlying demand remains steady, supported by the 2022 policy shift to 'Free' import status, which encourages resilient trade flows.

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

China dominates with 40.76% of quantity and 25.15% of value, followed by high-value partners like Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea. Asian hubs (e.g., Hong Kong, Vietnam) also contribute significantly as bulk suppliers.

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

Price gaps stem from product differentiation: high-value OLED modules (averaging $45–76/unit) contrast with cheaper LCD modules ($5.50–$78.96/unit). China’s lower unit prices reflect bulk imports of mass-produced components.

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

Prioritize high-value OLED modules with drivers for premium margins and diversify sourcing beyond China to mitigate supply risks. Strengthen relationships with dominant high-frequency buyers, who drive 90% of import value.

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

Suppliers in high-value clusters (e.g., South Korea, Singapore) can leverage India’s demand for advanced components, while bulk exporters (e.g., China) must compete on cost-efficiency amid policy-driven competition.

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

Imports under HS Code 8524 include display modules (OLED/LCD) with or without drivers, primarily for electronics manufacturing. The trade focuses on differentiated components rather than commoditized bulk goods.