India Storage Batteries HS8507 Import Data 2025 May Overview

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import: Key Takeaways

India’s Storage Batteries (HS Code 8507) Import for 2025 May reveals extreme reliance on China, which supplies over 90% of volume but at lower costs, signaling standardized commodity products rather than premium tech. The market shows a clear three-tier supplier structure, with Japan and South Korea offering high-value alternatives, while Vietnam emerges as a mid-range volume option. Buyer concentration remains high, increasing supply chain risks, though diversification opportunities exist in Southeast Asia and Europe for specialized or premium needs. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for 2025 May.

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import Background

What is HS Code 8507?

HS Code 8507 covers electric accumulators (storage batteries), including separators, whether or not rectangular. These batteries are critical for industries like automotive (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics, driving consistent global demand. Their versatility and role in energy transition underscore their strategic importance in trade.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India recently introduced a NIL Basic Customs Duty for lithium-ion cell inputs classified under HS Code 8507, aiming to boost domestic battery manufacturing [TaxGuru]. This policy shift aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in energy storage and positions it as a key player in the India Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 Import 2025 May landscape. Vigilance is essential to navigate evolving tariffs and supply chain dynamics in this high-growth sector.

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

India's Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 Import for 2025 May reached $691.32 million by value, with volume hitting 880.68 thousand kilograms. This represents a notable recovery from April’s dip, signaling renewed import momentum ahead of the seasonal demand cycle.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The May rebound aligns with typical industrial and consumer stock-building ahead of India’s monsoon and festive seasons, where battery-dependent sectors like automotive, backup power, and electronics ramp up procurement. Sequentially, imports rose 18.7% from April’s $582.42 million, though remained below March’s $725.47 million peak. Volume growth has been robust, climbing consistently since February, indicating that buyers are securing supply despite value volatility—a pattern consistent with inventory preparation for expected Q3 demand.

External Context and Outlook

This import surge was likely supported by a major policy shift in May: India introduced nil basic customs duty on parts and inputs for lithium-ion accumulators [TaxGuru]. This cost reduction probably encouraged higher procurement of both finished batteries and components under HS Code 8507. With domestic manufacturing incentives and rising renewable energy storage needs, India’s Storage Batteries import trend should remain strong through 2025, though currency and global lithium prices may influence near-term costs.

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, the India Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 Import for 2025 May is heavily concentrated in lithium-ion batteries, specifically under sub-code 85076000, which accounts for over 80% of the import value. This product, described as electric accumulators with lithium-ion technology, has a unit price of 3.43 USD per unit, indicating a high-value specialization compared to other types. An anomaly is present with nickel-metal hydride batteries (sub-code 85075000), which have a significantly higher unit price of 16.07 USD per unit, but this is isolated from the main analysis due to its extreme value.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for India Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 in 2025 May shows two main categories: finished batteries and parts. Finished batteries, including lithium-ion and various lead-acid types, have unit prices ranging from 2.46 to 5.25 USD per unit, suggesting differentiated manufactured goods rather than bulk commodities. Parts, such as those under sub-codes 85079090 and 85079010, have much lower unit prices around 0.12 to 0.27 USD per unit, indicating a lower value-add stage. This diversity in pricing and product forms points to a market with varied quality grades and applications.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players in India Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 Import during 2025 May, the dominance of lithium-ion batteries suggests strong pricing power for suppliers of high-value finished goods, while parts importers face more competitive, lower-margin conditions. [Eximguru] highlights customs duties that could influence costs, reinforcing the need for strategic sourcing or local manufacturing to mitigate import dependencies. Focus should be on securing stable supply chains for high-demand products like lithium-ion to maintain competitiveness.

Check Detailed HS 8507 Breakdown

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Storage Batteries HS Code 8507 Import for 2025 May shows extreme reliance on a single source, with China Mainland supplying 92.17% of total quantity and 87.71% of total value. The minor gap between China's quantity share (92.17%) and value share (87.71%) indicates these imports are primarily standardized, lower-cost commodity batteries rather than premium products. This pattern confirms China's role as the volume producer for basic battery units.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import landscape reveals three clear clusters. Japan and South Korea form a high-value tier, with Japan showing a notable value-to-quantity premium (2.53% quantity vs 2.12% value) suggesting specialized battery technologies. Southeast Asian nations (Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia) represent emerging manufacturing hubs offering mid-range pricing, with Vietnam being the most significant alternative to China. European suppliers (Germany, France) constitute a niche cluster of low-volume, high-value imports, likely serving specific industrial or premium applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Buyers should prioritize diversifying beyond China to mitigate supply chain risks, with Vietnam and Japan offering the most viable alternatives for volume and technology respectively. The customs duty structure for lithium-ion batteries [Eximguru] and recent policy changes regarding parts for lithium-ion manufacturing [Taxguru] create opportunities for strategic sourcing of components rather than finished goods. Importers should monitor these duty differentials to optimize their sourcing strategy between complete batteries and assembly inputs.

Table: India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Storage Batteries (HS 8507) 2025 May Import: Action Plan for Storage Batteries Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Storage Batteries Import 2025 May market for HS Code 8507 is defined by two core price drivers. Lithium-ion technology (sub-code 85076000) sets the price benchmark. High-volume OEM contracts from dominant buyers also influence pricing. China's supply dominance creates both cost efficiency and vulnerability.

Supply chain implications are clear. India acts as an assembly hub for imported components. Heavy reliance on China for finished goods increases risk. Customs duties on lithium-ion products encourage local value addition. The market structure favors strategic sourcing over bulk importing.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Storage Batteries Market Execution

• Target high-frequency, high-value buyers with bundled lithium-ion offers. Their consistent order patterns ensure stable revenue and better contract terms.
• Diversify sourcing to include Vietnam and Japan alongside China. This reduces supply chain risk and accesses higher-grade technology where needed.
• Analyze customs duty differentials between parts and finished batteries. Shift sourcing toward components (like 85079090) where duties are lower to cut costs.
• Use buyer order frequency data to forecast inventory needs. This prevents overstocking of fast-moving items and stockouts of niche products.
• Develop separate strategies for high-value/low-frequency buyers. Pitch them large, project-based orders to capture their significant but irregular spending.

Why Traditional Analysis Fails

Traditional trade methods rely on country-level data. They miss critical profit details. They cannot identify buyer frequency patterns. They overlook sub-component duty advantages. Only transaction-level analysis reveals these opportunities. This data-driven approach is essential for maximizing margins in the India Storage Batteries Import 2025 May market for HS Code 8507.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Storage Batteries Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Storage Batteries Import 2025 May?

The May 2025 rebound in imports (+18.7% from April) reflects seasonal stock-building for monsoon and festive demand, supported by India’s policy shift to nil customs duty on lithium-ion battery parts.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Storage Batteries Import 2025 May?

China dominates with 87.71% of import value, followed by Japan (2.12%) and South Korea (1.89%), while Vietnam and Southeast Asian nations serve as emerging alternatives.

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

Prices vary by product grade: lithium-ion batteries (sub-code 85076000) average $3.43/unit, while nickel-metal hydride (85075000) spikes to $16.07/unit. European imports command premiums for niche applications.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Storage Batteries?

Prioritize securing supply from dominant high-value frequent buyers (67.89% of import value) and diversify sourcing beyond China, leveraging Vietnam for volume and Japan for technology.

Q5. What does this India Storage Batteries import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

China’s 92.17% quantity share confirms its role as a bulk supplier, while Japan/South Korea and Europe offer opportunities for high-value niche exports. Buyers’ reliance on few suppliers increases bargaining power.

Q6. How is Storage Batteries typically used in this trade flow?

Imports serve automotive, backup power, and electronics sectors, with lithium-ion batteries (80% of value) meeting demand for high-performance energy storage. Parts imports support local assembly.