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Engineering goods

Export batteries

Mostly lead-acid and lithium-ion storage batteries; the UAE, USA and Turkey lead. All are dangerous goods in transport.

Free to exportHS 8506
HS code
8506
Primary cells and batteries — zinc-carbon, alkaline, lithium button cells (8506); rechargeable accumulators — lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel types (8507).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2 as checked in November 2026. New batteries are free; used batteries and lead scrap fall under hazardous-waste rules and separate entries. Confirm your exact 8-digit line on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before you ship.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 728 mn
to 139 countries

What is exported

India exports automotive and industrial lead-acid batteries, inverter batteries and a growing volume of lithium-ion packs; dry cells (8506) are a small line, about US$ 14 million in 2025-26. Rechargeable accumulators (8507) were about US$ 714 million in 2025-26; the UAE led, followed by the USA, Turkey, Nigeria and Nepal. Big plants are in Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati–Chittoor), West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat, and new cell factories are coming up under the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Automotive lead-acid batteriesStarter batteries for cars, trucks and two-wheelers.
  • Inverter and industrial batteriesTubular, VRLA and traction batteries for backup and forklifts.
  • Lithium-ion packsFor e-rickshaws, two-wheelers, solar storage and electronics.
  • Dry cellsZinc-carbon and alkaline primary cells (8506).

Where it is grown or made

  • Andhra PradeshTirupati–Chittoor
  • West BengalKolkata and Haldia
  • Haryana and UttarakhandBawal, Gurugram; Haridwar
  • Maharashtra, Gujarat and KarnatakaPune, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru — lithium-ion assembly

Export packing

  • Lead-acid batteries upright on pallets, terminals protected against short circuit, stretch-wrapped, with Class 8 labels.
  • Lithium-ion batteries in UN-approved packaging at the state of charge the rules allow, with Class 9 lithium labels.
  • Dangerous Goods Declaration, MSDS and UN 38.3 summary travel with every lithium shipment.

Who buys abroad

  • Battery distributors and auto-parts dealers
  • Inverter and solar system integrators
  • Vehicle and equipment OEMs
  • Telecom tower operators

The quality buyers ask for

Capacity and voltage
Ah rating at a stated discharge rate (C20 for lead-acid); nominal voltage
Cold cranking (automotive)
CCA per EN 50342 or SAE J537
Cycle life
Number of cycles at a stated depth of discharge (for inverter, solar and lithium batteries)
Lithium safety
UN 38.3 transport tests; IEC 62619 (industrial) or IEC 62133 (portable); BMS protections
Dimensions and terminals
Case size group (for example DIN or JIS) and terminal layout to fit the vehicle

Certificates

  • UN 38.3 test summary (lithium)RequiredMandatory for transporting lithium cells and batteries.
  • Dangerous Goods DeclarationRequiredRequired for every DG battery shipment by sea or air.
  • CE marking under EU Batteries Regulation 2023/1542Often askedRequired for batteries placed on the EU market, with producer registration.
  • IEC 62619 / IEC 62133 certificateOften askedSafety certification asked for by buyers of lithium batteries.
  • ISO 9001 / IATF 16949Often askedQuality systems for distributors and automotive OEMs.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Lead-acid batteries are heavy: a 20-ft container typically reaches its weight limit first. Lithium packs ship as Class 9 DG.

How it travels

Sea freight under IMDG rules; lithium by air only within IATA limits.

Storage

Cool, dry storage; recharge lead-acid stock as the maker advises.

Shelf life

Charged lead-acid batteries lose charge in storage; follow the maker's refresh-charge interval.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Voltage, capacity, chemistry, polarity, maker and date of manufacture on each battery.
  • Crossed-out wheelie-bin symbol and chemical symbols (Pb, Cd, Hg) under EU rules.
  • UN number, Class 8 or Class 9 hazard labels and lithium battery mark on outer packs.
Where to get it tested

NABL-accredited battery labs carry out UN 38.3, IEC 62133 and IEC 62619 tests (search 'battery' in the NABL directory). CPRI and BIS-recognised labs test lead-acid batteries.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EEPC IndiaElectrical goods and miscellaneous engineering products are listed under EEPC in Appendix 2T; take your RCMC from EEPC.eepcindia.org ↗
  • MEDEPCLithium-ion batteries for mobile phones and other accumulators for electronic uses are listed under MEDEPC in Appendix 2T.medepc.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Dangerous goods: lead-acid batteries (UN2794, Class 8) and lithium-ion batteries (UN3480/UN3481, Class 9) need DG declarations, approved packing and labels; lithium cells need a UN 38.3 test summary.
  • EU: Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 — CE marking, labelling, producer registration and, in phases, carbon-footprint declarations and a battery passport for EV and industrial batteries.
  • Performance and safety standards: IEC 60095 (starter lead-acid), IEC 62619 / IEC 62133 (lithium).
How to start small

Automotive and inverter lead-acid batteries for Gulf, African and South Asian distributors are the usual start. Buy from a maker that can pack and document dangerous goods, ship filled batteries by sea in full containers, and agree warranty terms in writing.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Undeclared batteries — shipping lines and airlines fine or offload undeclared dangerous goods.
  • Charged lead-acid batteries going flat on long voyages; plan the charge state and dispatch date.
  • Ignoring the EU battery registration and take-back duties.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 8506 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2) and SCOMET list (Appendix 3)
  4. European Commission — Batteries: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
  5. IATA — Lithium batteries: Dangerous Goods Regulations guidance
  6. PIB — Scaling New Heights: How the PLI Scheme is Reshaping Industries (21 Dec 2024), list of the 14 PLI sectors

Trade data

Indian batteries exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 728 mn
+12.3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -13.6%
US$ 842 mn → US$ 728 mn
Buyer countries
139
Average export price
US$ 11.52
per kg · 63,209 tonnes shipped · US$ 13.79 the year before
United Arab Emirates: US$ 106 mnUnited States of America: US$ 60.9 mnTürkiye: US$ 56.8 mnNepal: US$ 30.5 mnNigeria: US$ 29.2 mnJapan: US$ 27 mnMalaysia: US$ 22.6 mnJordan: US$ 22.3 mnPhilippines: US$ 20.9 mnKuwait: US$ 17.6 mnOman: US$ 16.7 mnSingapore: US$ 16.2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 15.7 mnThailand: US$ 14.9 mnSri Lanka: US$ 13.9 mnIndonesia: US$ 12.6 mnYemen: US$ 12.1 mnChina: US$ 10.9 mnAustralia: US$ 10.6 mnQatar: US$ 10.5 mnTaiwan: US$ 10.5 mnIraq: US$ 10.4 mnVietnam: US$ 10.2 mnAlgeria: US$ 9.6 mnItaly: US$ 9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 106 mnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of America: US$ 60.9 mnUnited States of AmericaTürkiye: US$ 56.8 mnTürkiyeNepal: US$ 30.5 mnNepalNigeria: US$ 29.2 mnNigeriaJapan: US$ 27 mnJapanMalaysia: US$ 22.6 mnJordan: US$ 22.3 mnPhilippines: US$ 20.9 mnKuwait: US$ 17.6 mnOman: US$ 16.7 mnSingapore: US$ 16.2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 15.7 mnThailand: US$ 14.9 mnSri Lanka: US$ 13.9 mnIndonesia: US$ 12.6 mnYemen: US$ 12.1 mnChina: US$ 10.9 mnAustralia: US$ 10.6 mnQatar: US$ 10.5 mnTaiwan: US$ 10.5 mnIraq: US$ 10.4 mnVietnam: US$ 10.2 mnAlgeria: US$ 9.6 mnItaly: US$ 9 mnIndia
Where Indian batteries goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 407 mn4072020-212021-22: US$ 655 mn6552021-222022-23: US$ 807 mn8072022-232023-24: US$ 833 mn8332023-242024-25: US$ 842 mn8422024-252025-26: US$ 728 mn7282025-26
India’s batteries exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 138% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 7.08 per kg7.082021-22: US$ 10.46 per kg2022-23: US$ 16.88 per kg16.882024-25: US$ 13.79 per kg2025-26: US$ 11.52 per kg11.522020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian batteries · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 407 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 655 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 807 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 833 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 842 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 728 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 1 bn (US$ 744 mn – US$ 1.35 bn)1.0k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.11 bn (US$ 799 mn – US$ 1.55 bn)1.1k2027-28
India’s batteries exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.11 bn

Likely range US$ 799 mn to US$ 1.55 bn.

Trend
+11.1% a year
Fit (R²)
0.51
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United Arab EmiratesUS$ 106 mn-13.9%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 60.9 mn+49.3%
3TürkiyeUS$ 56.8 mn+17.2%
4NepalUS$ 30.5 mn+1.2%
5NigeriaUS$ 29.2 mn-59.3%
6JapanUS$ 27 mn+110%
7MalaysiaUS$ 22.6 mn-13.8%
8JordanUS$ 22.3 mn+29.4%
9PhilippinesUS$ 20.9 mn+4.3%
10KuwaitUS$ 17.6 mn-19.2%
11OmanUS$ 16.7 mn-5.7%
12SingaporeUS$ 16.2 mn+13.6%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. AlgeriaUS$ 40k → US$ 9.6 mn+23,850%
  2. ChinaUS$ 1.9 mn → US$ 10.9 mn+488.1%
  3. JapanUS$ 12.8 mn → US$ 27 mn+110%
  4. ItalyUS$ 5.8 mn → US$ 9 mn+54%
  5. United States of AmericaUS$ 40.8 mn → US$ 60.9 mn+49.3%
  6. JordanUS$ 17.2 mn → US$ 22.3 mn+29.4%
  7. TürkiyeUS$ 48.5 mn → US$ 56.8 mn+17.2%
  8. SingaporeUS$ 14.3 mn → US$ 16.2 mn+13.6%

Low demand

  1. GermanyUS$ 52.3 mn → US$ 7.5 mn-85.7%
  2. IraqUS$ 30.5 mn → US$ 10.4 mn-65.8%
  3. NigeriaUS$ 71.8 mn → US$ 29.2 mn-59.3%
  4. IndonesiaUS$ 29.7 mn → US$ 12.6 mn-57.6%
  5. TanzaniaUS$ 10.1 mn → US$ 4.8 mn-52.5%
  6. ThailandUS$ 27.8 mn → US$ 14.9 mn-46.3%
  7. RussiaUS$ 10.9 mn → US$ 6.5 mn-40.6%
  8. LebanonUS$ 12.3 mn → US$ 7.8 mn-36.3%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Other lead-acid accumulators8507 20 00 · Electric accumulators, lead-acid,, including separators, whether or not rectangularUS$ 286 mn-29.4%3.1 mn piecesUS$ 91.30 per piecewas US$ 93.41
Lead acid accumulators of a kind used for starting piston engines8507 10 00 · Electric accumulators, lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines, including separators, whether…US$ 252 mn-5.3%6.2 mn piecesUS$ 40.67 per piecewas US$ 38.73
Electric accumulators, lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular — lithium-ion8507 60 00US$ 80.1 mn+4.8%7.5 mn piecesUS$ 10.66 per piecewas US$ 33.68
Nickel-cadmium accumulators8507 30 00 · Electric accumulators, nickel-cadmium, including separators, whether or not rectangularUS$ 40.7 mn+11.9%109k piecesUS$ 373.30 per piecewas US$ 585.89
Other parts: other than accumulator cases made of hard rubber/battery separators8507 90 90 · Electric accumulators, parts in heading no. 8507US$ 31.2 mn+44.6%4,729 tonnesUS$ 6.60 per kgwas US$ 5.29
Accumulator cases made of hard rubber8507 90 10 · Electric accumulators, parts in heading no. 8507US$ 17.3 mn+56.1%3,433 tonnesUS$ 5.05 per kgwas US$ 4.89
Cells and batteries, primary, lithium — lithium8506 50 00US$ 6.5 mn+20.6%56k piecesUS$ 115.63 per piecewas US$ 15.19
Electric accumulators, other than lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion… — other accumulators8507 80 00US$ 6.1 mn-23.6%369k piecesUS$ 16.42 per piecewas US$ 12.13
Others-of-other primary cells and primary batteries:8506 80 90 · Cells and batteries, primary,US$ 4.7 mn-46.8%373k piecesUS$ 12.64 per piecewas US$ 23.55
Primary cells and primary batteries of manganese dioxide of an extrnl volume <= 300cc8506 10 00 · Cells and batteries, primary, manganese dioxideUS$ 2.5 mn-6.7%36.2 mn piecesUS$ 0.07 per piecewas US$ 0.07
Pars of primary cells and primary batteries8506 90 00 · Cells and batteries, primary, parts thereofUS$ 750k-10.7%101 tonnesUS$ 7.41 per kgwas US$ 4.33
Electric accumulators, nickel-metal hydride, including separators, whether or not rectangular — nickel-metal hydride8507 50 00US$ 370k+184.6%895k piecesUS$ 0.41 per piecewas US$ 54.39
Button cell for quartz watch,clcultrs etc..8506 80 10 · Cells and batteries, primary,US$ 30k-80%129k piecesUS$ 0.23 per piecewas US$ 0.07
Cells and batteries, primary, air-zinc — air zinc8506 60 00US$ 10k-83.3%3k piecesUS$ 3.34 per piecewas US$ 92.59

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 167.7 bn
2023
India among exporters
#21
of 162 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.5%
US$ 774 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 163 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 72.5 bn 44.3%
  2. 2PolandUS$ 12.9 bn 7.9%
  3. 3HungaryUS$ 10.5 bn 6.4%
  4. 4Rep. of KoreaUS$ 10 bn 6.1%
  5. 5GermanyUS$ 9.69 bn 5.9%
  6. 6USAUS$ 6.34 bn 3.9%
  7. 7JapanUS$ 5.22 bn 3.2%
  8. 8CzechiaUS$ 4.63 bn 2.8%
  9. 9China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 3.91 bn 2.4%
  10. 10MexicoUS$ 2.64 bn 1.6%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 31 bn 18.5%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 31 bn 18.5%
  3. 3Rep. of KoreaUS$ 8.99 bn 5.4%
  4. 4CzechiaUS$ 6.02 bn 3.6%
  5. 5MexicoUS$ 5.14 bn 3.1%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 4.83 bn 2.9%
  7. 7FranceUS$ 4.73 bn 2.8%
  8. 8United KingdomUS$ 4.72 bn 2.8%
  9. 9BelgiumUS$ 4.32 bn 2.6%
  10. 10Viet NamUS$ 4.29 bn 2.6%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 33.7 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 33.6 bn
GermanyUS$ 27.6 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 27.6 bn
South KoreaUS$ 5.34 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 5.34 bn
FranceUS$ 5.21 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 5.21 bn
United KingdomUS$ 4.72 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 4.71 bn
VietnamUS$ 4.69 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 4.69 bn
CanadaUS$ 4.06 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 4.06 bn
JapanUS$ 3.76 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 3.74 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 3.52 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 3.52 bn
ChinaUS$ 3.37 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 3.37 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export batteries

India is a strong maker of lead-acid batteries for vehicles and inverters and is now building lithium-ion cell plants under the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells. China dominates lithium-ion cells and packs; Korea and Japan are strong in high-end cells, and many countries make lead-acid batteries locally. Demand comes from vehicles, power backup, telecom towers, solar storage and electric two- and three-wheelers. Openings are in lead-acid batteries for the Gulf, Africa and South Asia and, increasingly, lithium packs for e-mobility and storage.

  1. 01Choose chemistry and market

    Lead-acid for vehicles and inverters; lithium for e-mobility and storage.

  2. 02Certify

    UN 38.3, IEC and destination certificates; EU producer registration.

  3. 03Find distributors

    Battery dealers with charging and warranty capability.

  4. 04Pack as DG

    UN packaging, labels and declarations with a trained DG packer.

  5. 05Book DG freight

    Declare to the shipping line; some lines limit DG space.

  6. 06Claim benefits

    RoDTEP and drawback on the shipping bill.

  7. 07Payment

    LC or advance; agree how warranty claims are settled.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting batteries

Can I send lithium batteries by courier?
Only within IATA and courier limits, with the right packing and marks; many couriers refuse loose lithium batteries.
What RoDTEP applies?
Lithium-ion accumulators (8507 60 00) carry 1.9% capped at ₹10 per unit; lead-acid starter batteries 0.7%.
What does the EU Batteries Regulation require?
CE marking, labelling, producer registration and take-back, with carbon-footprint and battery-passport rules phased in for EV and industrial batteries.
Can I export used batteries?
Used batteries are hazardous waste under Indian and international rules; this is a separate, licensed trade.
Which council?
EEPC India for most batteries; MEDEPC lists lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones and accumulators for electronics.
Sources (6)
  1. European Commission — Batteries: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
  2. IATA — Lithium batteries: Dangerous Goods Regulations guidance
  3. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  4. Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru
  5. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10.10.2024 (Notification 32/2024-25); rates continued to 31.12.2026 by Notification 41/2026-27
  6. PIB — Scaling New Heights: How the PLI Scheme is Reshaping Industries (21 Dec 2024), list of the 14 PLI sectors

Who buys Indian batteries

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