India Recorded Media HS8524 Import Data 2025 June Overview

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

India’s Recorded Media Import (HS Code 8524) for 2025 June reveals heavy reliance on China, which dominates 80% of volume but supplies lower-cost commoditized goods, while Vietnam emerges as a high-value niche supplier. The market shows a clear three-tiered import structure, with China driving bulk purchases, Vietnam catering to premium demand, and smaller players filling marginal gaps. Buyer concentration remains high, creating supply chain risks, though recent policy shifts easing import restrictions (TaxGuru) may encourage diversification. This analysis, covering 2025 June, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 June 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 or digital recorded content remains in demand. Despite the shift to streaming, niche markets and archival needs ensure stable global trade for these products.

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 without licensing [TaxGuru]. As of June 2025, no further amendments have been announced, maintaining a liberalized trade environment. India's growing media and entertainment sector, coupled with archival demands, underscores its strategic importance as a key importer of recorded media (HS Code 8524). Market vigilance remains essential to monitor potential policy shifts or global supply chain disruptions affecting 2025 imports.

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

Key Observations

In June 2025, India's imports of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 totaled 1.00 billion USD with a volume of 182.93 thousand kg, reflecting a slight dip in value but a rise in volume compared to the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Month-over-month, the value decreased by about 15% from May's 1.18 billion USD, while volume increased by approximately 14% to 182.93 thousand kg. This shift likely stems from seasonal stock replenishment cycles in the media industry, where importers may have capitalized on lower prices or diversified product offerings. The overall trend from January to June shows volume growth, indicating sustained demand despite value fluctuations, consistent with typical industry patterns where digital and physical media imports balance out.

External Context and Outlook

The import policy for HS Code 8524 has remained 'Free' since February 2022 [TaxGuru], with no changes in 2025, ensuring a stable regulatory framework that supports import growth. This policy continuity, coupled with steady demand, suggests a positive outlook for India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import in 2025, though global supply chain factors could influence future volatility.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In June 2025, India's import of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 is highly concentrated in high-value 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. According to yTrade data, this product dominates with a 35% value share and a unit price of 37.34 USD per unit, significantly higher than many other variants, indicating a specialization in premium components for the India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025 June market.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure divides into three clear categories based on value-add stage and technology: high-value OLED modules (with and without drivers, unit prices 37-63 USD), finished LCD modules with drivers (unit prices 6-79 USD, indicating a range from economy to premium grades), and basic LCD modules without drivers (unit prices as low as 0.82 USD). This spread shows a market for differentiated manufactured goods, not fungible commodities, with clear tiers in quality and completeness.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of high-value OLED modules hold strong pricing power due to their technology edge and market concentration. For India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025 June, strategic focus should prioritize sourcing or developing finished, high-margin products, especially with import policies now free from restrictions [TaxGuru], reducing barriers and encouraging trade in advanced segments.

Check Detailed HS 8524 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 import for 2025 June is overwhelmingly dominated by China Mainland, which supplies over 80% of both the total quantity and value. The fact that China's value share (68.13%) is lower than its quantity share (81.51%) points to a market for lower unit price, commoditized goods. This pattern suggests high-volume imports of standardized, cost-sensitive recorded media products.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import landscape forms three clear clusters. The first is the high-value, lower-volume tier led by Vietnam, which has a value share (25.33%) far exceeding its quantity share (5.92%), indicating it supplies more expensive, specialized media. The second cluster includes South Korea and Japan, which show a more balanced value-to-quantity profile, pointing to mid-range products. The final cluster consists of all other nations, which have minimal import volumes and values, representing niche or experimental shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For buyers, this heavy reliance on China for volume creates significant supply chain risk, necessitating a dual strategy of maintaining that relationship while developing secondary sources. The policy shift making these imports free [TaxGuru] supports this by removing licensing barriers, making it easier to diversify. Importers should leverage Vietnam for higher-value specialized media and use the free import status (TaxGuru) to test smaller orders from other Asian partners to build a more resilient supply base for India's Recorded Media needs.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Recorded Media Import 2025 June market under HS Code 8524 is driven by technology and specialization. Price is set by product specification, especially for high-value OLED modules, and by OEM contract volumes for bulk LCD orders. Supply chain implications center on assembly hub operations, with heavy reliance on China for volume and Vietnam for premium units. This creates technology and brand dependence risks, but the free import policy simplifies diversification.

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

• Use HS Code 8524 trade data to identify top-tier OLED suppliers in Vietnam and South Korea, securing better unit prices for high-margin products.
• Analyze buyer frequency clusters to forecast order cycles from high-value regular clients, ensuring inventory aligns with demand and reduces stockouts.
• Map geographic import patterns to develop a secondary supply chain with mid-range partners like Japan, mitigating over-reliance on any single source.
• Leverage the free import status to test small orders from emerging suppliers, building a more resilient and cost-flexible supplier base.
• Monitor unit price trends for LCD and OLED variants monthly, adjusting procurement strategy to capitalize on technology shifts and price dips.

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 June?

India's Recorded Media imports in June 2025 show a 15% value drop but 14% volume rise, likely due to seasonal stock replenishment cycles favoring bulk purchases. The market remains stable with sustained demand, supported by a free import policy since 2022.

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

China dominates with 80% of volume and 68% of value, followed by Vietnam (25% value share) and balanced contributions from South Korea and Japan.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: China supplies low-cost LCD modules (as low as $0.82/unit), while Vietnam provides premium OLED modules (up to $63/unit).

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

Prioritize high-value OLED modules for margins and nurture relationships with frequent high-value buyers (89% of import value). Diversify sourcing to reduce reliance on China, leveraging Vietnam for premium products.

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

Suppliers of OLED modules (e.g., Vietnam) hold pricing power, while Chinese bulk exporters face commoditization risks. High-frequency buyers (62% of orders) offer stable demand for reliable suppliers.

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

Imports are tiered by value-add: high-end OLED modules for premium devices, mid-range LCDs for consumer electronics, and basic LCDs for cost-sensitive applications.