India Recorded Media HS8524 Import Data 2025 May Overview

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

India’s Recorded Media (HS Code 8524) imports in May 2025 reveal a market dominated by low-cost, mass-produced goods from China, which holds 71.90% value share and 79.74% quantity share, while Vietnam offers higher-priced, specialized alternatives. The free import policy since 2022 ensures easy access to Chinese supplies, but diversifying with premium Vietnamese products could mitigate dependency. This analysis, covering May 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Recorded Media (HS 8524) 2025 May 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 remain in demand despite the shift to streaming. Global trade in recorded media remains stable due to archival needs, niche markets, and specialized applications.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India revised its import policy for HS Code 8524 in 2022, shifting from "Restricted" to "Free" to facilitate trade [TaxGuru]. As of May 2025, no new policy changes have emerged, but India's role as a key importer of recorded media underscores its reliance on global supply chains for archival and distribution needs. Vigilance is essential, as shifts in digital adoption or trade policies could impact India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import dynamics in 2025.

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

Key Observations

In May 2025, India's import of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 reached 1.18 billion USD in value with a volume of 160.97 thousand kg, marking a solid performance for the month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Month-over-month, the value rose from 1.02 billion USD in April to 1.18 billion USD in May, while volume dipped slightly from 170.86 thousand kg to 160.97 thousand kg, indicating higher unit prices or a shift toward premium products. This uptick aligns with typical seasonal stock replenishment cycles for media imports, often driven by increased demand ahead of festive or consumption peaks in mid-year. The overall trend from January to May shows steady growth, reinforcing robust import activity for India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import in 2025.

External Context and Outlook

The import policy for HS Code 8524 was revised from restricted to free in February 2022 [TaxGuru], which has continued to ease trade barriers and support import volumes into 2025. This policy backdrop, combined with stable macroeconomic conditions, suggests a favorable outlook for sustained import growth in the coming months.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import in 2025 May is dominated by flat panel display modules of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) without drivers or control circuits, with a unit price of 37.39 dollars per unit, highlighting a focus on mid-range OLED technology. An extreme price anomaly is present in liquid crystal modules without drivers, with a very low unit price of 1.54 dollars per unit, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two categories: OLED-based modules with unit prices from 30.71 to 61.45 dollars per unit, and liquid crystal-based modules with prices from 10.36 to 85.80 dollars per unit, reflecting differences in technology and value-add stages like the presence of drivers. This structure indicates a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible bulk commodities, due to the wide price range and specific product features.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Importers should prioritize high-value segments such as OLED and premium liquid crystal modules with integrated drivers to leverage higher unit prices and stronger pricing power. Standard modules may encounter intense competition and lower margins, requiring strategic sourcing to maintain profitability in India's Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import market for 2025 May.

Check Detailed HS 8524 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, India's import of Recorded Media under HS Code 8524 shows strong concentration, with CHINA MAINLAND leading at 71.90% value share and 79.74% quantity share. The lower value ratio compared to quantity ratio means Chinese items cost about 15.45 USD per unit, pointing to mass-produced, lower-grade goods dominating the market.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two main clusters emerge: China and China Hongkong form a high-volume, low-unit-price group (e.g., China Hongkong at 1.90 USD per unit), likely due to cost-effective mass production hubs. Vietnam represents a smaller but high-unit-price cluster (65.67 USD per unit), suggesting specialized or higher-quality products. Other countries like South Korea and Japan have moderate volumes with mixed unit prices, indicating niche or varied sourcing for different needs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For India Recorded Media HS Code 8524 Import 2025 May, the free import policy since 2022 [taxguru.in] supports easy access to low-cost Chinese supplies, but companies should balance this with sourcing from Vietnam for quality upgrades to reduce dependency and cater to premium segments.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Recorded Media Import 2025 May under HS Code 8524 is a technology-driven market. Prices are set by product specifications like OLED vs. basic LCD and integration of drivers/control circuits. High-volume OEM contracts with dominant buyers also shape pricing. Supply chains rely heavily on mass-produced modules from China. This creates a dual dependency: cost-efficient sourcing but limited control over technology and quality. India acts as an assembly hub, not an innovation leader. Traditional market analysis fails here. It misses critical sub-component details and individual buyer behaviors that determine profit.

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

• Filter imports by OLED sub-codes and buyer frequency. Target clients who regularly order high-value units. This maximizes margin by focusing on premium, recurring revenue streams.
• Diversify sourcing using partner country unit price data. Add Vietnam for quality-critical orders. Reduce over-reliance on Chinese mass supply and mitigate single-source disruption risks.
• Analyze buyer purchase timelines. Align inventory with high-frequency import cycles. Prevent overstock or shortages of key components like driven modules.
• Monitor HS Code 8524 policy updates monthly. The free import regime since 2022 supports stable trade. Proactive tracking avoids compliance gaps and capitalizes on new opportunities.

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 May?

The value of imports rose to 1.18 billion USD in May 2025 despite a slight dip in volume, indicating higher unit prices or a shift toward premium products. This aligns with seasonal stock replenishment cycles ahead of mid-year demand peaks.

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

China dominates with 71.90% value share, followed by Vietnam (high-unit-price cluster) and China Hongkong (low-cost mass production).

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

Prices vary due to technology differences: Chinese imports average 15.45 USD per unit (mass-produced), while Vietnamese modules cost 65.67 USD (specialized/higher-grade).

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

Prioritize high-value OLED and premium liquid crystal modules with drivers for better margins, while diversifying sourcing beyond China to mitigate dependency risks.

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

Suppliers in Vietnam can leverage premium pricing opportunities, while Chinese exporters must compete on volume amid India’s dominant low-cost demand.

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

Imported modules (e.g., OLED, liquid crystal) are likely used in consumer electronics manufacturing, given their differentiation by technology and value-add features.