India Telecommunication Equipment HS8517 Import Data 2025 February Overview

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

India’s February 2025 Telecommunication Equipment imports (HS Code 8517) reveal a high-value, dual-track supply chain dominated by Ireland, which supplies 42% of import value from just 5% of shipments, signaling premium components. China and its regions drive volume with mass-produced parts, while the US, Vietnam, and Singapore fill mid-range gaps. Buyers face heightened customs duties under new policies, urging strategic sourcing shifts. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covers February 2025.

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 February 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 the global telecommunication industry, driving demand in consumer electronics, enterprise communication, and infrastructure development. Its stability in trade flows reflects the essential role of connectivity in modern economies.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In February 2025, India increased the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) to 20% for imports under HS Code 8517, specifically targeting tariff items 8517 62 90 and 8517 69 90, as part of efforts to boost domestic manufacturing [FreightAmigo]. This policy shift aligns with India’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign electronics while complying with updated WCO HS 2022 standards. Given India’s position as a major importer of telecommunication equipment, these changes underscore the need for vigilance in compliance and cost management for stakeholders in the 2025 trade landscape.

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

Key Observations

In February 2025, India's import of Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517 was valued at 4.05 billion USD with a volume of 20,800 kg, showing a slight decrease in value from the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The import value declined by approximately 3.1% month-over-month from January's 4.18 billion USD, while volume data entered significantly in February after being unrecorded in January. This dip is unusual for the telecommunication sector, which typically maintains steady import flows due to consistent demand for technology upgrades and inventory replenishment cycles. The sudden shift suggests external disruptions rather than typical industry patterns, such as seasonal demand fluctuations or stock build-up ahead of new product launches.

External Context and Outlook

The decline in February's import value directly correlates with India's regulatory changes, specifically the increase in Basic Customs Duty to 20% for certain Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517, effective from February 2, 2025, as detailed in the [Union Budget]. This policy, aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing and aligning with global trade updates, likely deterred imports or increased costs, contributing to the observed volatility. Moving forward, imports may remain subdued due to these heightened duties and stricter compliance requirements (Union Budget).

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, the India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import market in February 2025 is heavily concentrated in low-value bulk parts, dominated by sub-code 85177990 for communication apparatus parts other than aerials. This sub-code accounts for over 80% of the import value and 92% of the quantity, with a low unit price of $2.70 per unit, indicating a focus on high-volume, commodity-style trade. An anomaly is isolated with sub-code 85171300 for smartphones, which has a significantly higher unit price of $386.25 per unit but minimal market share.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two main categories: bulk parts like 85177910 and 85177100, with unit prices under $3 per unit and high quantity shares, suggesting fungible commodity trade. Mid-range apparatus such as 85176290 and 85176990, with unit prices from $10 to $114 per unit and lower quantities, represent more differentiated, semi-finished goods. This structure shows a mix of standardized bulk imports and value-added products, not purely tied to commodity indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, pricing power is low in the bulk parts segment due to high competition, but higher for differentiated apparatus. The recent policy changes, including increased customs duties on HS 8517 goods as noted in [India Budget], raise costs and emphasize accurate classification to avoid penalties, pushing strategic focus towards higher-margin products within India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import for 2025 February.

Check Detailed HS 8517 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Ireland is the dominant supplier for India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import 2025 February, providing 42% of the total import value from just 5% of the shipment quantity. This huge gap between value share and quantity share means Ireland ships very high-value items, likely advanced components or finished premium devices, while others send more bulk, lower-value parts.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The suppliers form three clear groups. The first is Ireland, which acts as a high-value OEM hub for sophisticated gear. The second cluster includes China Mainland, China Taiwan, and China Hong Kong; together they account for over half the total quantity, showing they are the core volume source for mass-produced components and assemblies. The third group contains the US, Vietnam, and Singapore, which provide a diverse mix of mid-range products and specialized parts, balancing the supply chain.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Importers must adjust their sourcing plans due to India's February 2025 policy that raised the basic customs duty on goods under HS Code 8517 [FreightAmigo]. This makes high-value shipments from places like Ireland more expensive. Companies should look into local assembly for high-tax items and use trade agreements with partners like Vietnam to keep costs down. They also need to ensure accurate HS code declarations (FreightAmigo) to avoid new penalties and delays.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 February market under HS Code 8517 is defined by two competing price drivers. High-volume, low-cost bulk parts (like sub-code 85177990) create price pressure through intense competition. High-value, technology-driven items (like smartphones under 85171300 or Irish imports) are priced on specification and OEM contract terms. This market is highly vulnerable. Buyer concentration with a few frequent, high-value importers creates demand risk. Sourcing reliance on China for volume and Ireland for value exposes the supply chain to geopolitical and cost shocks. Recent customs duty increases on HS Code 8517 goods make high-value imports more expensive and mandate precise classification.

The core implication is a forced strategic shift. India cannot remain just a bulk import destination. The supply chain must evolve into a mixed assembly and value-addition hub. This requires leveraging trade agreements for cost-effective sourcing of semi-finished goods (e.g., from Vietnam) while simultaneously developing local capability for higher-margin product assembly to mitigate duty impacts on finished goods.

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

• Segment buyers by purchase frequency and value to customize inventory financing. Offer flexible payment terms to high-frequency buyers to secure recurring orders and require larger deposits from low-frequency, high-value clients to de-risk large shipments. This maximizes cash flow and locks in key revenue streams.
• Audit all product classifications against the latest HS Code 8517 sub-codes. Use detailed product descriptions and technical specs to ensure accurate duty calculation. This prevents costly customs penalties and delays under India's new regulatory regime.
• Diversify sourcing away from single-country dependencies using trade data. Actively develop new supplier relationships in countries like Vietnam that have favorable trade agreements with India. This reduces over-reliance on China for volume and insulates your supply chain from geopolitical disruptions.
• Target sales and marketing efforts on the niche high-value, low-frequency buyer segment. Analyze import records to identify companies making large, irregular purchases of specialized apparatus. This unlocks significant contract opportunities and reduces overall revenue vulnerability to the dominant buyer group.
• Model total landed cost for high-value components incorporating the new 2025 customs duty. Factor the increased cost into pricing decisions for items sourced from countries like Ireland. This ensures profitability is maintained and informs potential shifts towards local assembly for these products.

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 February?

The decline in import value (-3.1% MoM) is primarily due to India’s increased Basic Customs Duty (20%) on HS Code 8517 goods, which deterred high-cost shipments. This policy shift disrupted typical steady demand patterns for telecom equipment.

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

Ireland dominates with 42% of import value, while China Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong supply over half the total quantity. The US, Vietnam, and Singapore provide mid-range specialized parts.

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

Ireland ships high-value items like advanced components (avg. $386.25/unit for smartphones), while China supplies bulk parts (avg. $2.70/unit) under sub-code 85177990, which accounts for 80% of import value.

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

Importers should prioritize high-margin differentiated products (e.g., smartphones) over low-value bulk parts, given the new duties. They must also ensure accurate HS code classification to avoid penalties.

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

Suppliers like Ireland face higher costs due to India’s duty hike, while bulk exporters (China) remain critical for volume. Diversifying into mid-range products (e.g., Vietnam/Singapore) could mitigate risks.

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

Bulk imports (e.g., communication apparatus parts) support high-volume assembly, while high-value items (smartphones) cater to premium markets, reflecting a mix of commodity and value-added demand.