Key facts
- India imported US$22,509 million of polymers in FY2024-25 (static.pib.gov.in).
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: SA, AE, SG, KR, TH.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Halal certificate, UL listing, EU REACH compliance.
- Typical minimum order: One 40' container per grade for commodity PP/PE; engineering plastics from 1 pallet via distributors (typical).
Product overview
India imported US$22.76 bn of 'artificial resins and plastic materials' in FY2025-26 (DGFT, tier 1). Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, China, the USA, the UAE and Qatar are the main sources. Domestic producers lead commodity polyolefin pricing, so imports fill gaps in grades and volumes and serve converters who want alternative supply.
Commodity PP and PE are high-volume, thin-margin trades linked to producer price lists. Engineering plastics — polyamide (PA6/PA66), polycarbonate, ABS, POM and PBT — sell in smaller lots at better margins to auto-component, appliance, electrical and electronics moulders.
The research file sees GCC sourcing as a fit for the trading house's corridor. Many polymer QCOs — including those for PE and PP moulding and extrusion materials — were withdrawn in November 2025, removing a major barrier. PVC remains under trade-remedy action.
HS note: Polyethylene is 3901; PVC 3904; polyamides 3908; polycarbonate/PET 3907; ABS 3903; POM 3907.10. Compounded grades may classify differently.
Specifications
| Melt flow index | Grade-specific, e.g. PP raffia ~3 g/10 min, injection PP 12–35 g/10 min (typical) |
|---|---|
| Density | HDPE ~0.94–0.965 g/cm³; LLDPE ~0.915–0.925 g/cm³ (typical) |
| Form | Pellets/granules (typical) |
| Additive package | Slip/antiblock, UV, antistatic per grade (typical) |
| Food contact | Food-contact compliance statements per grade (typical) |
| Engineering plastics | Glass-filled, flame-retardant (UL 94 V-0) grades available (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
PP homopolymer / copolymer
Raffia, injection moulding, BOPP, fibre grades.
HDPE / LLDPE / LDPE
Film, blow moulding, pipe, roto grades.
Engineering plastics
PA6/PA66, PC, ABS, POM, PBT — natural and compounded grades.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | 25 kg PE/FFS bags on pallets (typical) | Standard for imported polymers |
| Bulk | Octabins or jumbo bags ~1 t (typical) | For large converters |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~16–20 t in 25 kg bags (typical) · 40' HC ~24–27 t in 25 kg bags (weight-limited, typical). Palletised or floor-loaded
Customisation: Compounded/coloured engineering grades via compounders; break-bulk and small-lot supply
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vapi
Packaging film, woven sacks, moulded goods
Maharashtra / Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Silvassa, Daman
Plastics processing hub and polymer traders
Delhi NCR
Delhi, Bahadurgarh, Noida
Moulders, pipes, household plastics
Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Hosur
Auto and appliance moulders (engineering plastics)
West Bengal
Kolkata, Howrah
Packaging and household plastics
Sourcing origins
SA
Jubail, Yanbu
Major polyolefin and engineering-plastics complexes; India's leading polymer source region.
AE
Ruwais (Abu Dhabi), Jebel Ali (Dubai)
Large polyolefin complex at Ruwais; Jebel Ali is a regional trading and re-export hub.
SG
Jurong Island
Petrochemical hub supplying PE, PP and engineering plastics across Asia.
KR
Yeosu, Daesan, Ulsan
PP, PE, ABS and PC from large petrochemical clusters.
TH
Map Ta Phut (Rayong)
PP, PE and PC production; ASEAN-India FTA origin.
Origin market notes
Gulf (GCC)
Saudi and UAE producers are the core of India's polyolefin imports, with short transit times to Mundra, Kandla and Nhava Sheva. Producers sell through appointed Indian agents/distributors, so access to allocation is the main barrier for a new house.
Southeast Asia
Singapore and Thailand supply PP, PE and engineering plastics; ASEAN origin can qualify for AITIGA preferences with a valid certificate of origin.
East Asia
Korea is a major source of PP, ABS and PC; China-origin PVC faces anti-dumping action (preliminary findings Oct 2026).
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: QCOs on polyethylene and polypropylene moulding/extrusion materials were withdrawn effective 12 Nov 2025 along with 12 other chemical/polymer QCOs (secondary sources); confirm the current status for other polymers (PVC, PC, ABS, PET) on the BIS list. DGTR issued preliminary anti-dumping findings on PVC suspension resin from China on 26 Oct 2026, and ADD applies to PVC paste resin (research file). Sources: https://chemical.chemlinked.com/news/chemical-news/india-rescinds-quality-control-orders; http://www.dgtr.gov.in/en; research/02-indian-imports.md.
Quality control
- • COA per lot checked for MFI and density
- • Lot traceability
- • Moisture check for hygroscopic engineering plastics (PA, PC)
- • Supplier food-contact declarations
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • ISO 14001
- • Halal certificate
- • UL listing
- • EU REACH compliance
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 (for FTA preference)
- • COA
- • SDS
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Polymers (PE, PP, PVC, PET, PC, engineering plastics) | 22,509 | verified | static.pib.gov.in |
DGFT 'Artificial resins, plastic materials' FY25 22,509 -> FY26 22,756 (+1.1%); Comtrade ch.39 USD 22.01 bn CY2025
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
Is BIS certification still required to import PP and PE into India?
The QCOs for polyethylene and polypropylene moulding and extrusion materials were withdrawn effective 12 November 2025, so BIS certification is no longer required for those grades. Check the current BIS list for other polymers before importing.
Is there anti-dumping duty on PVC resin?
Anti-dumping duty applies to PVC paste resin, and DGTR issued preliminary findings on PVC suspension resin from China on 26 October 2026. Check the ICEGATE duty calculator for current duty by origin.
Which countries supply most polymers to India?
Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, China, the USA, the UAE and Qatar.
What is a typical container load of polymer granules?
Typically about 24–27 tonnes in 25 kg bags in a 40' container, limited by weight, and about 16–20 tonnes in a 20'.
Are engineering plastics a better opportunity than commodity PP/PE?
Usually yes for a trader: smaller lots, technical selling and less direct competition from domestic producers give better margins than commodity grades.
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