India Telecommunication Equipment Import Market -- HS 8517 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

India Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Key Takeaways

India’s telecommunication equipment imports under HS Code 8517 surged to $12.98 billion in Q1 2025, rebounding sharply in March after a February dip, signaling market stabilization amid regulatory adjustments. The market is dominated by high-volume, low-cost components like communication apparatus parts (sub-code 85177990), which account for 90% of quantity, while finished goods face stricter compliance. Supplier concentration is extreme, with top players handling 94% of import value, creating supply chain risks but efficient logistics. China Mainland remains the dominant source (58% value share), though high-value niche imports from Ireland highlight diversification opportunities. This analysis is based on cleanly processed 2025 Q1 customs data from the yTrade database.

India Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) 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 industries like telecommunications, consumer electronics, and IT infrastructure, driven by global demand for connectivity and smart devices. Its stable significance stems from the proliferation of 5G networks and digital transformation trends.

Current Context and Strategic Position

India’s telecommunication equipment import landscape under HS Code 8517 is shaped by recent policy updates, including the alignment with World Customs Organization (WCO) 2022 revisions, effective January 2025, to enhance classification accuracy [FreightAmigo]. A 20% basic customs duty (BCD) applies, with strict compliance mandates for device identifiers like IMEI numbers to curb counterfeit imports [Eximguru]. India’s strategic role in this trade flow is underscored by a 20% YoY growth in shipments (Oct 2023–Sept 2024), reflecting robust demand and the need for vigilance in classification and valuation under the updated HS system. This positions India as a key market for global suppliers navigating evolving regulatory and tariff landscapes.

India Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Price Trend

Key Observations

India's imports of Telecommunication Equipment under HS Code 8517 totaled $12.98 billion in Q1 2025, with March recording the highest monthly value at $4.75 billion. The India Telecommunication Equipment Import trend demonstrated significant activity, though with notable monthly swings early in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8517 value trend began January at $4.18 billion, dipped to $4.05 billion in February, and rebounded sharply to $4.75 billion in March. This sequential recovery in March suggests importers may have overcome initial disruptions, possibly aligning with inventory restocking or adaptation to regulatory changes typical in electronics supply chains post-quarter start.

External Context and Outlook

This volatility aligns with recent policy shifts, including India's adoption of the World Customs Organization's 2022 HS code revisions effective January 2025, which introduced updated classification and valuation rules for electronics imports under HS 8517 [FreightAmigo]. Stricter enforcement on mobile handset imports, such as bans on devices without valid IMEI numbers, likely contributed to the February dip before compliance improved (EximGuru). With these measures now embedded, the outlook for Q2 points toward stabilized or growing import values as the market normalizes under the 20% basic customs duty framework.

India Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q1, India's import market for HS Code 8517 is heavily concentrated in communication apparatus parts, specifically sub-code 85177990, which accounts for over 90% of the quantity and nearly 80% of the value. This sub-code, described as parts other than aerials, has a low unit price of 2.23 USD per unit, indicating a focus on high-volume, low-cost components. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 85171300 for smartphones, with a unit price of 408.30 USD, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes can be grouped into two main categories: bulk low-value parts, including items like aerials and other communication parts with unit prices under 10 USD, and mid-value finished communication apparatus, such as switching and routing devices with unit prices around 90 USD. This structure shows that India's HS Code 8517 import trade involves both fungible bulk commodities for parts and differentiated manufactured goods for finished equipment, reflecting a diverse value chain from basic components to more complex devices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, the bulk parts segment offers low pricing power due to high competition and volume, while finished goods face higher regulatory scrutiny, as seen in strict import policies for mobile handsets under [Eximguru]. Analyzing HS Code 8517 trade data suggests that strategic focus should be on ensuring compliance for high-value items and optimizing supply chains for cost-effective parts in India's HS Code 8517 import market.

Check Detailed HS Code 8517 Breakdown

India Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q1 2025, CHINA MAINLAND dominates India's Telecommunication Equipment imports with a 58.08% value share and 59.75% quantity share. The slight gap where value share is lower than quantity share suggests a focus on bulk or lower-value components under HS Code 8517, rather than premium finished goods. Frequency share at 48.71% aligns closely, indicating steady, large-volume shipments without high fragmentation.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top origins split into two clusters. IRELAND forms a High-Yield Cluster with a 17.14% value share but only 1.95% quantity share, pointing to imports of high-value, niche Telecommunication Equipment like advanced components. CHINA HONGKONG and SOUTH KOREA make up a Volume/Hub Cluster, with quantity shares of 12.18% and 10.66% respectively but lower value shares, likely serving as transit hubs or sources for cost-effective parts. Other countries like the UNITED STATES and VIETNAM show balanced profiles, supporting diverse supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

India's heavy reliance on CHINA MAINLAND for Telecommunication Equipment imports poses supply chain risks, urging diversification to regions like Southeast Asia or Europe. Stricter import regulations on mobile handsets, such as IMEI requirements [FreightAmigo], may increase compliance costs and shift sourcing to partners with better regulatory alignment, ensuring smoother trade flows for HS Code 8517 goods.

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

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India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In Q1 2025, the India Telecommunication Equipment Import supplier market shows strong concentration. According to yTrade data, a small set of high-value, high-frequency suppliers handles 94.09% of the total import value, with 76.17% of shipment frequency. This group moves large volumes, averaging billions in value, defining the typical trade as high-volume imports from key partners.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier groups play smaller roles: low-value, high-frequency suppliers contribute minimally to value but add frequency, while high-value, low-frequency and low-value, low-frequency clusters have niche impacts. The dominant high-value, high-frequency cluster, represented by manufacturers like Samsung and HP, points to a Direct-to-Factory model for HS code 8517 suppliers, where imports flow directly from producers to meet demand.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in India, this structure means strategic focus should be on securing relationships with high-value suppliers to ensure supply stability. The high concentration poses a risk of disruption if key suppliers face issues, but it also allows for efficient logistics. News of stricter import regulations and duty changes [FreightAmigo] reinforces the need for compliance in sourcing, urging importers to verify device standards and classification under updated HS codes to avoid penalties.

Table: India Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Telecommunication Equipment Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Telecommunication Equipment Import market under HS Code 8517 is defined by two core price drivers. Bulk, low-value parts drive prices through high-volume competition. Finished goods prices depend on technology specifications and OEM contracts. This creates a dual-structure market.

The Telecommunication Equipment supply chain shows heavy reliance on China for cost-effective components. This creates vulnerability to geopolitical or regulatory shifts. India acts primarily as an assembly hub, importing both basic parts and semi-finished goods. Strict import policies for mobile handsets add compliance complexity and cost.

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

• Diversify sourcing partners using hs code 8517 trade data to identify alternative suppliers in Southeast Asia or Europe. This reduces over-dependence on any single region and mitigates supply chain disruption risks.
• Use detailed HS code sub-classification analysis to separate bulk parts from finished goods in your import strategy. This ensures correct duty payments and avoids penalties from misclassification under strict regulatory scrutiny.
• Build direct relationships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers identified in trade data to secure priority access and stable pricing. This ensures supply continuity for critical components and strengthens negotiation power.
• Monitor regulatory updates and align your Telecommunication Equipment supply chain with evolving standards, such as IMEI requirements for handsets. This prevents customs delays and reduces the risk of costly compliance failures.

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 Q1?

India's Telecommunication Equipment imports rebounded sharply to $4.75 billion in March 2025 after a February dip, likely due to adaptation to new HS code revisions and stricter enforcement of mobile handset regulations like IMEI requirements.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of India Telecommunication Equipment (HS Code 8517) 2025 Q1?

CHINA MAINLAND dominates with 58.08% of import value, followed by IRELAND (17.14%) and CHINA HONGKONG (12.18% quantity share), reflecting a mix of bulk components and high-value niche equipment.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of India Telecommunication Equipment Import?

Price differences stem from bulk low-value parts (under $10/unit) like aerials from China versus high-value finished devices (e.g., $408.30 smartphones) or advanced components from Ireland.

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

Importers must prioritize compliance for high-value items (e.g., mobile handsets) and secure relationships with dominant suppliers like Samsung to mitigate supply chain risks from over-reliance on China.

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

Suppliers from China benefit from steady bulk demand, while niche players (e.g., Ireland) can leverage India’s need for high-value equipment, though stricter regulations may increase compliance costs.

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

Imports under HS Code 8517 serve India’s electronics manufacturing, ranging from low-cost components for assembly to finished devices like routers and smartphones.

Detailed Monthly Report

India HS8517 Import Snapshot 2025 JAN

India HS8517 Import Snapshot 2025 FEB

India HS8517 Import Snapshot 2025 MAR