India Telecommunication Equipment HS8517 Import Data 2025 June Overview

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

India's Telecommunication Equipment (HS Code 8517) Import in 2025 June reveals heavy reliance on China, supplying 75% of value but only 80% of quantity, signaling mid-range assembled products rather than premium goods. Vietnam emerges as a secondary manufacturing hub, while South Korea and Mexico provide high-value components. The market shows strategic shifts, with importers urged to diversify supply chains to mitigate risks. This analysis, covering 2025 June, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) 2025 June Import Background

What is HS Code 8517?

HS Code 8517 covers telecommunication equipment, including telephone sets, smartphones, and other devices for transmitting or receiving voice, images, or data across wired or wireless networks. This category is critical for industries like consumer electronics, IT infrastructure, and telecommunications, driving steady global demand due to the proliferation of digital connectivity and smart devices.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In June 2025, India's import policy for HS Code 8517 saw updates aligning with the World Customs Organization's 2022 HS Code revisions, including duty adjustments like a reduction in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) from 20% to 10% for certain Ethernet switches [FreightAmigo]. India's strategic focus on telecommunication equipment imports reflects its growing demand for electronics, with imports under HS 8517 surging by 89% from 2023-2024 [Volza]. This underscores the need for precise classification and compliance to navigate India's evolving tariff landscape.

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

Key Observations

India's Telecommunication Equipment imports under HS Code 8517 totaled $3.12 billion in June 2025, with volumes reaching 112.77 thousand kg. This reflects a continued contraction from earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Import value has declined steadily since January, falling 30% from the $4.18 billion opening. The drop accelerated into Q2, with June down 13% from May. This downtrend aligns with typical industry inventory adjustments, as buyers likely delayed purchases ahead of expected regulatory changes.

External Context and Outlook

The import slowdown was heavily influenced by India’s updated customs policy. A key Basic Customs Duty reduction—from 20% to 10% on certain Ethernet switches under HS 8517—took effect May 1 [Union Budget]. This likely prompted importers to defer shipments, anticipating lower costs. Stricter classification rules for e-commerce electronics under HS 8517 also introduced compliance delays [FreightAmigo]. Going forward, clearer guidance and stabilized rates may support a recovery in India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import volumes for the remainder of 2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In June 2025, India's import of Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517 is heavily concentrated in low-value, high-volume parts. According to yTrade data, the dominating sub-code is 85177990, described as "Communication apparatus; parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds," which accounts for over three-quarters of the total import value. Despite a low unit price of 1.62 USD per unit, this sub-code drives the market with massive quantity imports, indicating a specialization in cost-effective components. Anomalies like sub-code 85176210, with an extremely high unit price of 2011.28 USD per unit but minimal share, are isolated from the main analysis due to their outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on value-add stage. First, bulk commodity parts, such as those under 85177910 and 85177100, feature low unit prices around 1-2 USD per unit and high quantity shares, suggesting trade in fungible, standardized items. Second, finished or semi-finished apparatus like 85176290 and 85176990 have medium unit prices ranging from 7.56 to 81.91 USD per unit, representing differentiated manufactured goods with higher value addition. This structure shows that India's import profile for HS Code 8517 blends bulk commodity flows with more specialized electronic products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the dominance of low-value parts under India Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import 2025 June implies limited pricing power in the bulk segment, where competition is high. In contrast, suppliers of higher-value apparatus can leverage differentiation for better margins. Recent duty changes, such as the Basic Customs Duty reduction from 20% to 10% for certain items like Ethernet switches under this code [FreightAmigo], may lower costs and shift strategic focus towards value-added products to capitalize on India's growing demand.

Check Detailed HS 8517 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Telecommunication Equipment HS Code 8517 Import in 2025 June shows extreme reliance on CHINA MAINLAND, which supplied 75% of the total import value but only 80% of the quantity. This negative disparity between value and quantity ratios points to China providing mid-range assembled products rather than premium items, with an average unit price of $1.81. China's role as the primary source is overwhelming, leaving other suppliers with minor shares.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import landscape forms three clear clusters. Vietnam acts as a secondary manufacturing base with 7% value share from 3% quantity, suggesting efficient assembly of mid-tier goods. South Korea and Mexico form a high-value component cluster, where Korea's 3% value from 8% quantity indicates bulk semiconductor imports, while Mexico's 3% value from near-zero quantity implies specialized high-cost equipment. Finally, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US represent a mixed cluster of niche suppliers providing smaller batches of specialized communication gear.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Importers should diversify beyond China to mitigate supply chain risks, particularly targeting Vietnam for cost-effective assembly and Korea for critical components. The recent Basic Customs Duty reduction from 20% to 10% on certain Ethernet switches under HS 8517 [FreightAmigo] and similar adjustments (FreightAmigo) create opportunities for strategic sourcing of specific telecom items. Companies must ensure precise HS code classification to avoid penalties while leveraging duty reductions for cost optimization.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 June under HS Code 8517 is driven by two core price factors. First, low-value bulk parts dominate volume, creating intense price competition. Second, higher-value finished goods allow for margin protection through technology differentiation. China supplies most mid-range products, creating high supply chain concentration risk. The market depends heavily on a few large, frequent buyers.

These dynamics create clear supply chain implications. India acts primarily as an assembly hub for cost-sensitive components. This role creates vulnerability to Chinese supply shocks and buyer demand shifts. Recent duty reductions on specific items like Ethernet switches under HS 8517 may help lower costs but don't resolve the structural reliance on bulk imports and limited value-added production.

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

• Target high-value, high-frequency buyers with customized contracts to secure stable revenue streams, because this group drives over 90% of market value under India Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 June.
• Diversify sourcing beyond China using HS sub-code analysis to identify alternative suppliers in Vietnam and South Korea, reducing supply chain risk and accessing better component pricing.
• Shift product mix toward higher-value apparatus under HS Code 8517 by leveraging duty reductions on specific items, improving profit margins while meeting India's growing demand for advanced telecommunication equipment.
• Use buyer frequency data to plan inventory cycles and avoid overstocking low-value parts, optimizing working capital and storage costs in a high-volume market.
• Implement strict HS code classification checks for all shipments to ensure correct duty application, preventing penalties and maximizing cost savings from recent regulatory changes.

Focus on these data-driven actions to navigate the concentrated, volume-heavy nature of India's telecommunication equipment imports. Success requires balancing bulk trade relationships with strategic moves toward higher-value products and diversified sourcing.

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 June?

India's import value declined 30% since January 2025, partly due to buyers delaying purchases ahead of a Basic Customs Duty reduction from 20% to 10% on certain items like Ethernet switches. Stricter classification rules also caused compliance delays.

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

China dominates with 75% of import value, followed by Vietnam (7%) and South Korea (3%). These three account for 85% of total imports.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization—China supplies mid-range assembled goods ($1.81/unit), while South Korea provides bulk semiconductors and Mexico ships high-cost specialized equipment.

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

Importers should prioritize relationships with high-value, high-frequency buyers (92% of market value) while diversifying suppliers beyond China to mitigate supply risks, especially targeting Vietnam and South Korea.

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

Suppliers of low-value parts face intense competition, while differentiated high-value apparatus (e.g., under HS 85176290) offer margin opportunities. China’s dominance leaves niche openings for specialized providers.

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

Imports blend bulk commodity parts (e.g., standardized components under HS 85177990) with semi-finished/finished apparatus (e.g., communication devices), supporting both mass production and specialized infrastructure needs.