Key facts
- India imported US$11,800 million of copper in FY2024-25 (theprint.in).
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: AE, US, GB, SA, NL.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, ISO 14001.
- Typical minimum order: Typically one 20' container per grade (typical).
Product overview
India imported about US$11.8 bn of copper in 2025 (NITI Aayog/Comtrade, research file) and depends on imports for about 96% of copper concentrate. Primary copper is controlled by a few large producers and LME-linked traders; the research file identifies imported scrap for Indian secondary smelters and brass mills as the workable niche.
Buyers are secondary copper refiners, wire and cable makers using recycled copper, and the brass industry (notably Jamnagar). Scrap is traded by ISRI grade, priced against LME copper with grade discounts, and shipped in containers from the UAE, USA, UK and Europe.
The main risks are grade and contamination disputes, price volatility (LME-linked), compliance with DGFT pre-shipment inspection and hazardous-waste rules, and shifting duty/BIS policy.
HS note: Brass scrap (honey) is also 7404; insulated copper wire may be classified differently; copper cathode is 7403. Scrap imports carry DGFT pre-shipment inspection requirements.
Specifications
| Grades (ISRI) | Barley/Berry/Candy (#1 copper), Birch/Cliff (#2), Millberry (bare bright wire), Honey (yellow brass) (typical) |
|---|---|
| Copper content | #1 ≥ ~99% Cu; #2 ≥ ~94–96% Cu (ISRI ranges, typical) |
| Contaminants | Free of insulation, solder, excessive oxidation, radioactivity (ISRI terms) |
| Radiation | Radiation-free certificate required (typical buyer and port requirement) |
| Form | Loose, bales or briquettes in jumbo bags (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
#1 copper (Barley/Berry/Candy)
Clean, unalloyed wire and solids; highest LME ratio.
#2 copper (Birch/Cliff)
Mixed unalloyed copper with some oxidation/coating.
Brass (Honey)
Yellow brass solids for the brass industry.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo bags / bales / loose | ~1 t jumbo bags or bales (typical) | Loaded with weight limits for road haulage |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~18–24 t depending on density and form (typical) · 40' HC Rarely used (weight-limited). Dense cargo; 20' boxes preferred
Customisation: Grade sorting and baling at origin to buyer's specification
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Gujarat
Jamnagar, Ahmedabad, Mundra/Kandla (Kutch)
Jamnagar brass-parts cluster; secondary smelters near Mundra/Kandla
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Silvassa
Copper/brass rolling and wire units
Delhi NCR / Haryana
Delhi, Rewari
Copper and brass re-rollers, wire units
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Pune
Metal traders, wire and cable makers
Tamil Nadu
Chennai
Cable makers and secondary refiners
Sourcing origins
AE
Dubai (Jebel Ali), Sharjah, Ajman
Regional scrap aggregation and re-export hub for the Middle East and Africa; short transit to Mundra/Nhava Sheva.
US
Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Houston, Chicago
Largest generator of ISRI-graded scrap; long transit but deep supply.
GB
London (Tilbury), Felixstowe, Liverpool
Steady supply of copper and brass scrap from UK recyclers.
SA
Dammam, Jeddah
GCC-generated scrap from construction and power sectors.
NL
Rotterdam
European scrap aggregation and export hub.
Origin market notes
United States & Canada
US scrap is graded to ISRI specifications and widely available, but transit is long and Indian buyers compete with other Asian buyers for the same material.
Gulf (GCC)
The UAE is the main regional scrap hub, with quick transit to Gujarat and Maharashtra ports; supply quality varies, so pre-shipment inspection and loading supervision matter.
Other markets
UK and Netherlands-origin scrap is consistent in grade; check end-of-waste and export rules at origin.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: metal scrap imports need a pre-shipment inspection certificate (PSIC) from a DGFT-recognised agency, plus compliance with the Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules 2016 for the scrap category (research file; confirm requirements per grade). Duty: one secondary source reports copper scrap was exempted from BCD in Budget 2025-26 — confirm on ICEGATE. BIS: the Copper Products QCO 2024 covers products such as wire rod/cathode, not scrap, and an amendment of 30 Jun 2026 relaxes one category until 1 Dec 2026 (secondary source — confirm). Sources: research/02-indian-imports.md; https://www.corpseed.com/law-update/copper-products-quality-control-amendment-order-2026-compliance-guide-importers-manufacturers; https://www.icegate.gov.in.
Quality control
- • DGFT-recognised pre-shipment inspection agency certificate (PSIC)
- • Radiation-free certificate
- • Loading photos and container seal records
- • Weight and assay verification at destination
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • ISO 14001
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
- • Pre-shipment inspection certificate (PSIC)
- • Radiation-free certificate
- • Weight certificate
- • Supplier's undertaking per Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules where applicable
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Copper (cathode, scrap, wire rod, concentrate) | 11,800 | verified | theprint.in |
NITI Aayog: copper imports USD 11.8 bn CY2025 (13.9% CAGR since 2015); Comtrade ch.74 USD 11.84 bn CY2025; 96% dependence for concentrates
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What documents are needed to import copper scrap into India?
A pre-shipment inspection certificate from a DGFT-recognised agency, a radiation-free certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, plus any declarations required under the Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules.
Is copper scrap under a BIS QCO?
We found no BIS QCO for copper scrap; the Copper Products QCO covers finished products such as wire rod. Industry bodies have asked for scrap quality standards, so check for new notifications.
What is the import duty on copper scrap in India?
One secondary source reports that copper scrap was exempted from basic customs duty in Budget 2025-26. We have not confirmed this from the tariff, so check the ICEGATE calculator for HS 7404 before contracting.
How is copper scrap priced?
Usually as a percentage of the LME copper price (the grade ratio), fixed on an agreed date, with quality and weight checks at destination.
Which countries export copper scrap to India?
The UAE, the USA, the UK, Saudi Arabia and European hubs such as the Netherlands are the main sources.
Request a quote for Copper Scrap (Millberry, Birch/Cliff, Berry/Candy)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
