India Telecommunication Equipment HS8517 Import Data 2025 August Overview

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import: Key Takeaways

India's Telecommunication Equipment (HS Code 8517) imports in August 2025 reveal heavy reliance on China Mainland, which dominates 61% of both volume and value, signaling standardized bulk production. High-value, low-volume contributions from Ireland and the U.S. suggest premium tech imports, while regional players like Vietnam offer cost-effective alternatives. Buyer concentration remains a risk, with China's dominance requiring careful monitoring of India's 20% customs duty and IMEI regulations. This analysis, covering August 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import Background

What is HS Code 8517?

HS Code 8517 covers telephone sets, including smartphones, and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images, or data across wired or wireless networks. This category is critical for global telecommunications, driven by demand from consumer electronics, enterprise communication systems, and infrastructure providers. Stable global demand is fueled by technological advancements and the expansion of 5G networks.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s 2025 HS Code 8517 import policy reflects key updates, including a 20% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) for certain products and stricter enforcement of IMEI registration for mobile handsets [FreightAmigo]. These changes align with global HS 2022 standards and aim to curb illegal imports while enhancing valuation scrutiny. India’s strategic significance in this trade flow stems from its growing electronics market and regulatory tightening, necessitating vigilance for India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import 2025 August compliance (FreightAmigo).

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import activity for 2025 August totaled $2.54B in value against 192.48K kg in volume, reflecting a notable sequential contraction. This represents the lowest monthly import value since February and a sharp departure from the elevated levels observed earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The August import value declined 34% month-on-month from July’s $3.84B, while volume rose 21% over the same period. This divergence suggests lower average unit prices, likely due to shifts in product mix or increased inflows of lower-value components. Year-to-date, import value has fallen 39% from the January peak, indicating sustained downward pressure. The trend aligns with tighter regulatory scrutiny and higher costs impacting ordering behavior ahead of policy implementation deadlines.

External Context and Outlook

Stricter customs measures under India’s 2025 HS code revisions directly influenced this slowdown. [FreightAmigo] reported updated classification rules and a 20% basic customs duty for many goods under HS 8517, while the prohibition of non-compliant mobile handsets [EximGuru] further constrained shipments. These regulatory hurdles—coupled with enhanced valuation checks (FreightAmigo)—are expected to continue suppressing import volumes in the near term as supply chains adapt to compliance burdens.

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

India's import of Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517 in August 2025 is heavily concentrated in low-value, high-volume parts. According to yTrade data, the dominating sub-code is "Communication apparatus; parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds" (85177990), which accounts for over three-quarters of the total import value and more than 90 percent of the quantity, with a unit price of just 1.33 USD per unit. This indicates a specialization in bulk, commoditized components. Extreme price anomalies are present, such as high-unit-price items like "Communication apparatus; machines for the reception, conversion and transmission" (85176250) at 1794.65 USD per unit, but these are isolated due to minimal import volumes and are excluded from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports can be grouped into two main categories based on value-add stage. First, bulk parts and components, including items like "Communication apparatus; parts" (85177910 and 85177100), which have low unit prices under 1.50 USD per unit and high quantities, suggesting a trade in fungible, standardized commodities. Second, finished or semi-finished goods, such as "Telephone sets; smartphones" (85171300) and "Communication apparatus; machines for transmission" (85176290), with unit prices ranging from 13.13 to 461.85 USD per unit, indicating differentiated, manufactured products with higher value addition. This structure shows a mix of commodity-like bulk trade and specialized finished goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players in India's Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import during August 2025, the dominance of low-value parts implies limited pricing power for bulk suppliers, who must compete on volume and cost efficiency. In contrast, suppliers of higher-value finished goods may have better margins but face regulatory pressures, such as increased import duties and IMEI restrictions noted in policy updates [FreightAmigo], which could elevate costs and necessitate compliance-focused strategies. Companies should prioritize diversifying into higher-value segments to mitigate risks and enhance profitability.

Check Detailed HS 8517 Breakdown

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, India's import of Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517 shows strong reliance on China Mainland, which dominates with 61.26% of quantity and 61.88% of value, indicating a nearly equal ratio that points to consistent unit pricing for mass-produced manufactured goods. This pattern suggests China serves as the primary source for standardized devices, with minimal disparity highlighting its role in bulk production and assembly for the India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import 2025 August.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The supplier countries form three clear clusters based on trade patterns. First, China Mainland stands alone as the high-volume, high-value hub due to its extensive electronics manufacturing infrastructure. Second, Ireland and the United States represent a high-value, low-quantity cluster, with value ratios significantly exceeding quantity ratios (e.g., Ireland's 8.54% value vs. 0.66% quantity), likely driven by imports of premium or specialized equipment from tech innovation centers. Third, regional players like Vietnam and Thailand show moderate contributions, possibly supplying cost-effective components or partially assembled goods as part of broader Asian supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For importers, China's dominance offers cost efficiency but requires attention to regulatory changes, such as India's 20% Basic Customs Duty on certain HS 8517 products and mandatory IMEI registration for mobile handsets, as noted by [FreightAmigo]. Diversifying sources to include higher-value partners like the US could mitigate risks, while ensuring compliance with these updated policies will be crucial to avoid delays and penalties in the manufactured goods supply chain.

Table: India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 August Import: Action Plan for Telecommunication Equipment Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 August under HS Code 8517 is defined by two key price drivers. Bulk, low-value parts drive costs through volume and competition. Higher-value finished goods are influenced by product specifications and OEM contract volumes. China's dominance as a supplier creates efficiency but also concentration risk. The supply chain implication is India's role as an assembly hub, dependent on technology and branded imports. This creates vulnerability to regulatory changes and supply disruptions.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Telecommunication Equipment Market Execution

• Use HS Code sub-category data to separate bulk parts from finished goods. This allows targeted pricing and avoids margin erosion on commoditized items.
• Track purchase frequency of top buyers to forecast demand cycles. This prevents overstock and secures recurring revenue from volume clients.
• Diversify sourcing by adding US or Irish partners for high-value goods. This reduces over-reliance on China and improves product mix profitability.
• Monitor regulatory updates like IMEI rules and duty changes monthly. This ensures compliance and avoids costly shipment delays or penalties.

Final Note: Traditional market analysis misses critical sub-component and buyer behavior details. Access to detailed trade data is essential for executing this plan successfully.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Telecommunication Equipment Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 August?

India's telecommunication equipment imports fell 34% in value month-on-month due to stricter customs measures, including a 20% basic customs duty and IMEI registration rules. The shift toward lower-value bulk components further reduced average unit prices.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 August?

China dominates with 61% of both value and quantity, while Ireland and the US supply high-value niche products. Vietnam and Thailand contribute moderately as regional suppliers.

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

Prices vary by product type: China supplies bulk parts like "Communication apparatus; parts" at ~1.33 USD/unit, while Ireland and the US export premium items like transmission machines priced up to 461.85 USD/unit.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Telecommunication Equipment?

Importers should prioritize relationships with high-volume buyers (95% of market value) while diversifying suppliers beyond China to mitigate regulatory risks tied to duties and compliance.

Q5. What does this India Telecommunication Equipment import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of commoditized parts face stiff competition on price, whereas niche manufacturers (e.g., US/Ireland) can leverage higher margins but must navigate India’s tightening import regulations.

Q6. How is Telecommunication Equipment typically used in this trade flow?

Bulk imports (90% of volume) are low-value components for assembly, while high-end items like smartphones and transmission machines serve finished-product markets.