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Electronics and solar

Import electronic components (chips, diodes, transistors)

Most chips, diodes and transistors enter duty-free; you mainly pay 18% IGST, which you can claim back as credit.

Free to importHS 8542
Basic customs duty
0–7.5%
Free (nil) on most lines; 7.5% on 8542 39 00 (other ICs)
Social welfare surcharge
Nil where BCD is nil; 10% of BCD otherwise
IGST
18%
18%
India’s imports, 2025-26
US$ 36.5 bn
from 76 countries

Tariff rates from the CBIC Customs Tariff: diodes, transistors, thyristors, LEDs (8541 41) and processors, controllers, memories and amplifiers (8542 31–33) are “Free”; 8542 39 00 “Other” ICs carry 7.5%. IGST is 18% (Schedule II entries for 8541 and 8542, Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)). Budget 2026–27 made no change to these lines. Check the effective rate for your exact 8-digit code on ICEGATE. CBIC — Customs Tariff (as on 30.06.2025), import tariff by chapter ↗

What is imported

Integrated circuits, microcontrollers, memory chips, diodes, transistors and LEDs are imported by electronics assemblers, repair businesses and distributors. Most come from East Asian manufacturers and their distributors. Because India has bound most of these items at zero duty, the main costs are freight, IGST and the risk of fake or recycled parts.

Import policy · Free to import

Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 1. Solar cells and modules (8541 42, 8541 43) are a separate case — see the solar panels page.

Licences and registrations you need

  • BIS (CRS)Loose components are generally not on the CRS list, but finished electronic goods and some sub-assemblies are. If you import modules, chargers or power supplies, check the CRS product list first.crsbis.in ↗
  • CPCB (EPR — plastic packaging)Reels, trays and plastic packing count as plastic packaging. A business that imports packaged goods for sale may need EPR registration as an importer.eprplastic.cpcb.gov.in ↗

What is checked at the port

  • Correct classification: a module or populated board is not the same as a chip and can carry a different duty and BIS rule.
  • Invoice description must give part numbers, quantities and unit prices that match the packing list.
  • Valuation of low-priced lots: Customs may question prices far below the market.

Practical tips

  • Buy from the manufacturer or its authorised distributors and ask for a certificate of conformance with lot and date codes.
  • Small, high-value parcels often move faster by air courier; check the courier value limits and rules with your courier before shipping.
  • If you manufacture electronics, ask your broker whether an end-use concession under Notification 45/2025-Customs applies to your inputs.

Where new importers go wrong

  • Counterfeit or re-marked chips from unknown brokers — they pass Customs but fail in your product.
  • Declaring a finished module or board as “parts” to avoid BIS or a higher rate.
Sources (5)
  1. CBIC — Customs Tariff (as on 30.06.2025), import tariff by chapter
  2. CBIC — Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 17.09.2025
  3. ICEGATE — Customs e-filing portal (tariff and duty lookup)
  4. BIS — Compulsory Registration Scheme portal
  5. DGFT — ITC(HS) import policy search

Import data

Where India buys electronic components (chips, diodes, transistors)

India’s imports from the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, financial years.

Imports, 2025-26
US$ 36.5 bn
Change from 2024-25
+20.3%
Supplying countries
76
Biggest supplier
China
33%
China: US$ 11.9 bnHong Kong: US$ 5.63 bnSouth Korea: US$ 3.48 bnTaiwan: US$ 3.41 bnSingapore: US$ 3.38 bnUnited States of America: US$ 2.66 bnIreland: US$ 1.62 bnMalaysia: US$ 939 mnJapan: US$ 689 mnVietnam: US$ 585 mnIndonesia: US$ 494 mnThailand: US$ 342 mnEthiopia: US$ 203 mnGermany: US$ 187 mnChina: US$ 11.9 bnChinaHong Kong: US$ 5.63 bnHong KongSouth Korea: US$ 3.48 bnTaiwan: US$ 3.41 bnSingapore: US$ 3.38 bnSingaporeUnited States of America: US$ 2.66 bnUnited States of AmericaIreland: US$ 1.62 bnIrelandMalaysia: US$ 939 mnJapan: US$ 689 mnVietnam: US$ 585 mnVietnamIndonesia: US$ 494 mnThailand: US$ 342 mnEthiopia: US$ 203 mnGermany: US$ 187 mnIndia
Where India imports electronic components (chips, diodes, transistors) from — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 11.9 bn12k2020-212021-22: US$ 21.6 bn22k2021-222022-23: US$ 19.9 bn20k2022-232023-24: US$ 28.7 bn29k2023-242024-25: US$ 30.3 bn30k2024-252025-26: US$ 36.5 bn36k2025-26
India’s electronic components (chips, diodes, transistors) imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change
1ChinaUS$ 11.9 bn+0.9%
2Hong KongUS$ 5.63 bn+9.5%
3South KoreaUS$ 3.48 bn+16.8%
4TaiwanUS$ 3.41 bn-3.2%
5SingaporeUS$ 3.38 bn+29.2%
6United States of AmericaUS$ 2.66 bn+147.2%
7IrelandUS$ 1.62 bn+197.3%
8MalaysiaUS$ 939 mn+189.7%
9JapanUS$ 689 mn+14.8%
10VietnamUS$ 585 mn+10.7%
11IndonesiaUS$ 494 mn+427.7%
12ThailandUS$ 342 mn+103.7%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

  1. IndonesiaUS$ 93.7 mn → US$ 494 mn+427.7%
  2. IrelandUS$ 543 mn → US$ 1.62 bn+197.3%
  3. MalaysiaUS$ 324 mn → US$ 939 mn+189.7%
  4. United States of AmericaUS$ 1.08 bn → US$ 2.66 bn+147.2%
  5. SingaporeUS$ 2.62 bn → US$ 3.38 bn+29.2%
  6. South KoreaUS$ 2.98 bn → US$ 3.48 bn+16.8%

Shrinking sources

None

Which forms come in, and at what price

Imports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Monolithic integrated circuits - digital8542 31 00US$ 17.5 bn+15.8%13.94 bn piecesUS$ 1.26 per piece
Electronic integrated circuits, memories — memories8542 32 00US$ 6.79 bn+53.4%620 mn piecesUS$ 10.96 per piece
Others-of-others-of-elctrnc integrtd circuits and micro-assmbls8542 39 00US$ 5.37 bn+20.2%8.36 bn piecesUS$ 0.64 per piece
Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels8541 42 00US$ 3.06 bn+86.4%8.01 bn piecesUS$ 0.38 per piece
Photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels8541 43 00US$ 995 mn-53.8%33.5 mn piecesUS$ 29.68 per piece
Other transistor,other than photosensitive transistors8541 29 00US$ 820 mn+2.3%8.35 bn piecesUS$ 0.10 per piece
Electronic integrated circuits, amplifiers — amplifiers8542 33 00US$ 559 mn+5%1.33 bn piecesUS$ 0.42 per piece
Diodes,other than photosensitive or light emitting diodes8541 10 00US$ 505 mn+11.7%24.03 bn piecesUS$ 0.02 per piece
Light-emiting diodes (led)8541 41 00US$ 370 mn+20.8%84.08 bn piecesUS$ 0.00 per piece
Mounted piezo-electric crystals8541 60 00US$ 207 mn+39.3%3.11 bn piecesUS$ 0.07 per piece
Parts of electronic intgrtd circts and micro assmblies8542 90 00US$ 61.8 mn-28.2%196 tonnesUS$ 315.57 per kg
Others-of-others-of-semcond dvs[scd]( diod,trnstr,trnsdcer); p sens...8541 59 00US$ 44.4 mn+11.7%801 mn piecesUS$ 0.06 per piece

Source: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

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