Key facts
- Sourced from 3 origin countries: CN, KR, JP.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CE marking, UL listing, BIS certification.
- Typical minimum order: Cell makers typically quote per pallet or container for prismatic LFP; cylindrical cells in boxes of a few hundred cells (typical).
Product overview
India imports most of its lithium-ion cells: HS 8507.60 imports were about ₹25,459 crore in FY2024-25 and are reported at about ₹41,667 crore in FY2025-26 (TradeStat via busy.in; FY26 figure tier 5). China supplies roughly three-quarters, with South Korea and Japan the main alternatives. The ACC battery PLI is building domestic cell capacity, but progress has been slow, so imports are expected to remain significant for several years (ASSUMPTION).
Buyers are electric two- and three-wheeler OEMs, battery-pack assemblers, energy-storage (BESS) and telecom-backup integrators, and consumer-electronics makers. Cylindrical (18650/21700), prismatic and pouch formats in LFP and NMC chemistries are traded, sorted into capacity/impedance bins for pack building.
Cells are Class 9 dangerous goods (UN3480) and need UN38.3 test summaries, DG packing and DG-accepting carriers. In India, Li-ion cells and batteries fall under BIS's Compulsory Registration Scheme, and EV packs must meet AIS-156 through vehicle homologation.
HS note: Cells, modules and packs are generally all 8507.60; parts of accumulators fall under 8507.90. Confirm the line for battery packs integrated with a BMS or enclosure.
Specifications
| Chemistry | LFP (LiFePO4) and NMC/NCA (typical) |
|---|---|
| Formats | Cylindrical 18650/21700/32140, prismatic 50–314 Ah, pouch (typical) |
| Nominal voltage | 3.2 V (LFP); 3.6–3.7 V (NMC) per cell (typical) |
| Cycle life | LFP ~3,000–6,000 cycles; NMC ~1,000–2,000 cycles to 80% capacity (typical datasheet ranges) |
| Binning | Matched by capacity, internal resistance and voltage for pack building |
| Transport testing | UN38.3 test summary per cell/battery type (mandatory for transport) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Grade A (new, full spec)
New cells meeting datasheet capacity with full traceability; required for EV and BESS.
Grade B / downgraded
Cells outside top bins; only for low-risk uses and with clear disclosure. Not recommended for EV packs.
Modules / packs
Pre-assembled modules or packs with BMS for e-rickshaw, telecom and ESS buyers.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DG cartons | UN-specification cartons with cell separators, pallets wrapped | Class 9 labels; state of charge as required by carrier |
| Packs | Wooden crates or reinforced cartons per pack | UN38.3 for the assembled pack |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ≈10–18 t depending on format (weight-limited) · 40' HC Weight-limited near carrier DG payload caps. Ships as Class 9 DG (UN3480); needs DG booking and carrier acceptance; some lines charge DG surcharges
Customisation: Custom packs (voltage, capacity, BMS, enclosure, connectors) built by pack assemblers; cell grading and matching
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Tamil Nadu
Hosur, Krishnagiri, Chennai
Electric two-wheeler OEMs and pack assemblers
Karnataka
Bengaluru
EV start-ups, BMS designers and pack makers
Maharashtra
Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
EV OEMs, three-wheelers, energy-storage integrators
Haryana
Gurugram, Manesar
Two-wheeler OEMs and component suppliers
Delhi NCR / Uttar Pradesh
Delhi, Noida
E-rickshaw battery assemblers and telecom-backup integrators
Sourcing origins
CN
Ningde, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Changzhou, Hefei
About 75% of India's Li-ion imports (Economic Survey 2024-25 as reported); full range from tier-1 EV cell makers to smaller cylindrical-cell producers. Highest trade-remedy and policy exposure.
KR
Ochang (Cheongju), Cheonan, Ulsan
Tier-1 NMC cylindrical and pouch cells; premium pricing; useful China-diversification source.
JP
Osaka, Sumoto
High-quality cylindrical NMC/NCA cells; limited allocation for smaller buyers.
Origin market notes
East Asia
China dominates supply and price-setting for LFP; Korean and Japanese makers lead NMC and offer non-China sourcing, but allocate capacity to large OEMs first. Buyers should plan for possible Indian trade-remedy action on Chinese cells (none verified as of 2026-11) and China's controls on battery-technology exports (ASSUMPTION — monitor).
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: lithium-ion cells and batteries require BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) registration (IS 16046 series for portable types) for the exact model and factory before import; EV traction batteries must satisfy AIS-156 through vehicle homologation, and traction cells are tested to IS 16893 (confirm). No DGTR anti-dumping duty on Li-ion cells was found in this session's search. Customs notification 27/2026-Customs amended concessions on capital goods for Li-ion cell manufacture (not on cells). Sources: research/02-indian-imports.md; https://www.crsbis.in/BIS/; http://www.dgtr.gov.in/en (status: CRS requirement VERIFIED in research; standard numbers ASSUMPTION).
Quality control
- • Factory audit and sample testing before first order
- • Incoming capacity, IR and OCV check on sample basis
- • UN38.3 test summary and MSDS for each cell model
- • BIS CRS registration number verified for the exact model and factory
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • ISO 14001
- • CE marking
- • UL listing
- • BIS certification
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • UN38.3 test summary
- • MSDS/SDS
- • Dangerous goods declaration
- • BIS CRS registration copy
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Lithium-ion cells and batteries | unavailable | unavailable | busy.in |
HS 85076000 imports Rs 25,459 cr FY25 (+4.6%); Rs 41,667 cr FY26 (+64%, trade press); USD value not found
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What BIS certification is needed to import lithium-ion cells into India?
Li-ion cells and batteries are under BIS's Compulsory Registration Scheme; the overseas factory must hold a CRS registration for the exact model, tested at a BIS-recognised lab. Customs checks the registration at clearance.
Is there an anti-dumping duty on lithium-ion cells from China?
We found no DGTR anti-dumping duty on Li-ion cells as of November 2026. Trade remedies change quickly, so check DGTR notices and the ICEGATE duty calculator before contracting.
Do EV battery packs need separate approval?
Yes. Packs used in Indian EVs must meet AIS-156 (battery safety) as part of vehicle type-approval by agencies such as ARAI or ICAT, in addition to cell-level requirements.
How are lithium-ion cells shipped to India?
As Class 9 dangerous goods (UN3480) with a UN38.3 test summary, SDS and DG declaration, in UN-specification packaging with DG-accepting carriers.
Which countries supply lithium-ion cells to India?
China supplies about three-quarters; South Korea and Japan are the main alternatives, especially for NMC cells.
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