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Engineering goods

Export copper wire and products

Copper wire, strip and tubes from Gujarat and Silvassa; Saudi Arabia is by far the largest buyer of wire.

Free to exportHS 7408
HS code
7408
Copper wire (7408); also copper plates, sheets and strip (7409) and copper tubes and pipes (7411).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2 as checked in November 2026. Copper scrap and waste are covered by separate entries; check them if you deal in scrap. Confirm your exact 8-digit line on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before you ship.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 1.27 bn
to 114 countries

What is exported

India makes copper rod and wire from smelters in Gujarat and Jharkhand and from wire and tube mills in Silvassa, Gujarat and Maharashtra. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 1 billion of copper wire (HS 7408), of which Saudi Arabia took nearly 90%; Nepal, Qatar and Sri Lanka followed. Copper tubes (7411) go mainly to the USA and Canada for air-conditioning and plumbing.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Copper rod and bare wireETP copper wire rod and drawn wire for cables.
  • Enamelled winding wireFor motors, transformers and fans.
  • Strip, sheet and foilFor electrical, roofing and electronics uses.
  • Tubes and pipesAir-conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) and plumbing tubes.

Where it is grown or made

  • GujaratDahej (smelter), Jamnagar and Rajkot
  • Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & DiuSilvassa and Daman — wire, strip and tube mills
  • JharkhandGhatsila — copper mining and smelting
  • MaharashtraMumbai, Pune and Nashik

Export packing

  • Wire rod and wire in coils on wooden or steel pallets, stretch-wrapped and covered against moisture.
  • Enamelled wire on returnable or one-way spools inside cartons.
  • Tubes in level-wound coils or straight lengths with capped ends, in wooden boxes.

Who buys abroad

  • Cable and wire makers
  • Motor, transformer and fan makers
  • HVAC and refrigeration makers
  • Metal traders

The quality buyers ask for

Copper grade
ETP (Cu-ETP / C11000, 99.90% Cu min.) or DHP for tubes (C12200)
Conductivity
100% IACS or higher for electrical wire (annealed)
Size and tolerance
Diameter or thickness with tolerance per ASTM B3/B49, EN 13601 or IS 613
Enamel grade
Thermal class and insulation build per IEC 60317 for winding wire
Tubes
ASTM B280 (ACR) or EN 12735; cleanliness and pressure tests

Certificates

  • Mill test certificateRequiredChemistry, conductivity and mechanical results per lot.
  • SASO conformity via SABER (Saudi Arabia)Often askedProduct and shipment certificates for regulated goods entering Saudi Arabia.
  • UL recognition (winding wire, USA)Often askedAsked for by US motor and transformer makers.
  • ISO 9001Often askedBasic quality system.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Copper is dense: a 20-ft container typically reaches its weight limit (about 24–26 tonnes) before it is full.

How it travels

Sea freight; road to Nepal and Bhutan.

Storage

Dry, covered storage; wrap coils to prevent oxidation.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Coil or spool tag: grade, size, net weight, lot number, producer and country of origin.
  • Saudi Arabia: Arabic or bilingual labelling as the SASO regulation requires.
Where to get it tested

NABL-accredited metallurgical and electrical labs test chemistry, conductivity and enamel properties. CPRI, Bengaluru, tests conductors and cables for the power sector.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EEPC IndiaNon-ferrous metals and their products are listed under EEPC in Appendix 2T; take your RCMC from EEPC.eepcindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Purity and conductivity certificate (for example ETP copper, 99.9% Cu, IACS conductivity) per coil or lot.
  • Dimensions, tolerance and temper to the standard named in the contract (ASTM B3/B8, EN 13601, IS 613 or buyer specification).
  • Saudi Arabia: products must meet SASO technical regulations and be registered on the SABER platform before shipment.
How to start small

Copper trading runs on thin margins and LME-linked prices. A newcomer can start with enamelled winding wire, copper strip or tubes from a certified mill for Gulf or South Asian cable and motor makers, on LC or advance terms.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Fixed prices on long contracts without LME cover; copper prices swing sharply.
  • Oxidised or tarnished coils from poor packing — use sealed, moisture-proof wrapping.
  • Missing SABER certificates for Saudi shipments; goods are held at port.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (4)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7408 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. EEPC India — official site

Trade data

Indian copper wire and products exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 1.27 bn
+57.4% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +57.3%
US$ 808 mn → US$ 1.27 bn
Buyer countries
114
Average export price
US$ 11.37
per kg · 1,11,793 tonnes shipped · US$ 9.99 the year before
Saudi Arabia: US$ 885 mnUnited States of America: US$ 102 mnNepal: US$ 53.5 mnCanada: US$ 29.4 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 29.4 mnQatar: US$ 24.8 mnNetherlands: US$ 14.7 mnSri Lanka: US$ 13.9 mnColombia: US$ 10.2 mnBrazil: US$ 7.9 mnKenya: US$ 7.8 mnSpain: US$ 7.1 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 6.7 mnIsrael: US$ 6.4 mnKuwait: US$ 6 mnGermany: US$ 5.8 mnEgypt: US$ 4.8 mnItaly: US$ 4.7 mnIraq: US$ 4.5 mnPhilippines: US$ 3.3 mnBangladesh: US$ 3.1 mnOman: US$ 2.6 mnMexico: US$ 2.2 mnChina: US$ 2.2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 885 mnSaudi ArabiaUnited States of America: US$ 102 mnUnited States of AmericaNepal: US$ 53.5 mnNepalCanada: US$ 29.4 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 29.4 mnQatar: US$ 24.8 mnNetherlands: US$ 14.7 mnNetherlandsSri Lanka: US$ 13.9 mnSri LankaColombia: US$ 10.2 mnColombiaBrazil: US$ 7.9 mnKenya: US$ 7.8 mnSpain: US$ 7.1 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 6.7 mnIsrael: US$ 6.4 mnKuwait: US$ 6 mnGermany: US$ 5.8 mnEgypt: US$ 4.8 mnItaly: US$ 4.7 mnIraq: US$ 4.5 mnPhilippines: US$ 3.3 mnBangladesh: US$ 3.1 mnOman: US$ 2.6 mnMexico: US$ 2.2 mnChina: US$ 2.2 mnIndia
Where Indian copper wire and products goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 132 mn1322020-212021-22: US$ 306 mn3062021-222022-23: US$ 490 mn4902022-232023-24: US$ 1.1 bn1.1k2023-242024-25: US$ 808 mn8082024-252025-26: US$ 1.27 bn1.3k2025-26
India’s copper wire and products exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2025-26, lowest in 2020-21 — a 43% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 7.98 per kg7.982021-22: US$ 10.42 per kg2022-23: US$ 9.64 per kg2024-25: US$ 9.99 per kg2025-26: US$ 11.37 per kg11.372020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian copper wire and products · 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$ 132 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 306 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 490 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.1 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 808 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.27 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 2.4 bn (US$ 1.49 bn – US$ 3.86 bn)2.4k2026-272027-28: US$ 3.69 bn (US$ 2.16 bn – US$ 6.28 bn)3.7k2027-28
India’s copper wire and products exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 3.69 bn

Likely range US$ 2.16 bn to US$ 6.28 bn.

Trend
+53.8% a year
Fit (R²)
0.87
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
1Saudi ArabiaUS$ 885 mn+75.8%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 102 mn-9.3%
3NepalUS$ 53.5 mn+74.1%
4CanadaUS$ 29.4 mn+27.9%
5United Arab EmiratesUS$ 29.4 mn+36.5%
6QatarUS$ 24.8 mn+2,451.5%
7NetherlandsUS$ 14.7 mn+56.9%
8Sri LankaUS$ 13.9 mn+15.1%
9ColombiaUS$ 10.2 mn+20,220%
10BrazilUS$ 7.9 mn+1,064.7%
11KenyaUS$ 7.8 mn+196.2%
12SpainUS$ 7.1 mn+8.9%

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. QatarUS$ 970k → US$ 24.8 mn+2,451.5%
  2. Saudi ArabiaUS$ 504 mn → US$ 885 mn+75.8%
  3. NepalUS$ 30.7 mn → US$ 53.5 mn+74.1%
  4. NetherlandsUS$ 9.4 mn → US$ 14.7 mn+56.9%
  5. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 21.5 mn → US$ 29.4 mn+36.5%
  6. CanadaUS$ 23 mn → US$ 29.4 mn+27.9%
  7. Sri LankaUS$ 12.1 mn → US$ 13.9 mn+15.1%

Low demand

No sizeable country falls in this list this year.

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 coppr wire with max crs-sec diamtr>6mm7408 11 90 · Copper, wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmUS$ 977 mn+80.7%87,857 tonnesUS$ 11.12 per kgwas US$ 9.50
Tubes and pipes of refined copper7411 10 00 · Copper, tubes and pipes, of refined copperUS$ 89.5 mn+33.6%6,898 tonnesUS$ 12.98 per kgwas US$ 11.69
Other plates,sheets etc. of refined copper7409 19 00 · Copper, plates and sheets, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of refined copper, not in coilsUS$ 42.3 mn+32.2%3,573 tonnesUS$ 11.84 per kgwas US$ 10.52
Plates,sheets etc. of refind copr in coils7409 11 00 · Copper, strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of refined copper, in coilsUS$ 40.2 mn+52.5%3,272 tonnesUS$ 12.29 per kgwas US$ 10.90
Plates sheets and strip of copper-zinc base alloys(brass)in coils7409 21 00 · Copper, strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-zinc base alloys, in coilsUS$ 31.7 mn-37.8%3,308 tonnesUS$ 9.59 per kgwas US$ 8.96
Tubes and pipes of copr-znc base aloys(bras)7411 21 00 · Copper, tubes and pipes, of copper-zinc base alloysUS$ 26.5 mn-9.3%2,170 tonnesUS$ 12.23 per kgwas US$ 11.18
Tubes andpips of copr-nckl bas aloys(cupro- nckl)/copr-nckl-znc base aloy(nckl-silvr)7411 22 00 · Copper, tubes and pipes, of copper-nickel base alloys or copper-nickel-zinc base alloysUS$ 19 mn-12.7%1,229 tonnesUS$ 15.42 per kgwas US$ 14.45
Plats etc..of copr-nckl base aloys(cupro- nckl)/copr-nckl-znc base aloy(nckl-silvr)7409 40 00 · Copper, plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-nickel base alloys or…US$ 12.1 mn+289.7%1,170 tonnesUS$ 10.33 per kgwas US$ 10.07
Others with cross section<=6mm7408 19 90 · Copper, wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension is 6mm or lessUS$ 7.9 mn+18.6%630 tonnesUS$ 12.54 per kgwas US$ 10.20
Plates,sheets etc..of other copper alloys7409 90 00 · Copper, plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper alloysUS$ 6.7 mn-36.3%259 tonnesUS$ 25.78 per kgwas US$ 22.09
Wire of copper-zinc base alloys(brass) cross-sectional dimension <= 6mm7408 21 90 · Copper, wire, of copper-zinc base alloysUS$ 6.1 mn+14.2%571 tonnesUS$ 10.68 per kgwas US$ 9.81
Other wire of copper-nckl base aloys or copper-nckl-zinc base aloys7408 22 90 · Copper, wire, of copper-nickel base alloys or copper-nickel-zinc base alloysUS$ 3.2 mn-28.9%164 tonnesUS$ 19.44 per kgwas US$ 19.39
Plates,sheetsandstrip of copper-zinc base (alloys brass) not in coils7409 29 00 · Copper, plates and sheets, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-zinc base alloys, not in coilsUS$ 3 mn+5%315 tonnesUS$ 9.41 per kgwas US$ 8.92
Other wire of other copper alloys7408 29 90 · Copper, wire, of copper alloysUS$ 2.9 mn+20.7%113 tonnesUS$ 25.75 per kgwas US$ 20.37

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$ 44.3 bn
2023
India among exporters
#16
of 135 countries
India’s share of world exports
2.4%
US$ 1.09 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 44.1 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 6.9 bn 15.3%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 4.05 bn 9%
  3. 3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 3.37 bn 7.5%
  4. 4USAUS$ 2.33 bn 5.2%
  5. 5CanadaUS$ 1.98 bn 4.4%
  6. 6BelgiumUS$ 1.85 bn 4.1%
  7. 7JapanUS$ 1.77 bn 3.9%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 1.68 bn 3.7%
  9. 9ThailandUS$ 1.66 bn 3.7%
  10. 10Rep. of KoreaUS$ 1.59 bn 3.5%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 4.34 bn 9.8%
  2. 2ItalyUS$ 2.61 bn 5.9%
  3. 3IndiaUS$ 2.09 bn 4.7%
  4. 4ChinaUS$ 2.06 bn 4.6%
  5. 5MexicoUS$ 1.87 bn 4.2%
  6. 6GermanyUS$ 1.77 bn 4%
  7. 7Saudi ArabiaUS$ 1.71 bn 3.9%
  8. 8FranceUS$ 1.66 bn 3.7%
  9. 9TürkiyeUS$ 1.4 bn 3.2%
  10. 10CzechiaUS$ 1.32 bn 3%

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$ 4.82 bnIndia 2% · gap US$ 4.73 bn
ItalyUS$ 2.75 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 2.74 bn
ChinaUS$ 2.16 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 2.16 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.89 bnIndia 0.6% · gap US$ 1.88 bn
FranceUS$ 1.71 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.71 bn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 2.23 bnIndia 25.2% · gap US$ 1.67 bn
VietnamUS$ 1.24 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.24 bn
United KingdomUS$ 882 mnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 878 mn
EgyptUS$ 802 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 801 mn
MalaysiaUS$ 772 mnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 768 mn

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 copper wire and products

India refines copper and has a large wire and cable industry, and its copper wire exports are heavily concentrated in Saudi Arabia. Chile and Peru dominate mined copper; China, Japan, Korea and Germany lead in refined and semi-finished products. Demand comes from power grids, buildings, electric motors, air-conditioning and electric vehicles. Openings for smaller exporters are in enamelled winding wire, strip for electrical parts and ACR tubes for the Gulf and North America.

  1. 01Choose product and buyer

    Cable makers, motor rewinders or HVAC firms each need different specs.

  2. 02Fix price basis

    LME copper plus fabrication premium, fixed on an agreed date.

  3. 03Certify

    Arrange SABER certificates for Saudi Arabia and UL where needed.

  4. 04Produce and test

    Conductivity, elongation and dimension tests per lot.

  5. 05Pack and ship

    Moisture-proof wrapping, pallets, weight-limited containers.

  6. 06Claim benefits

    RoDTEP and drawback on the shipping bill.

  7. 07Payment

    LC or advance; copper value per container is high.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting copper wire and products

Why is Saudi Arabia such a big buyer?
The Commerce Department data show Saudi Arabia took nearly 90% of India's copper wire exports in 2025-26; large cable makers there buy Indian rod and wire.
What is SABER?
Saudi Arabia's online conformity platform; regulated products need a product certificate and a shipment certificate there.
Which council?
EEPC India (non-ferrous metals and products).
What drawback rate applies?
Copper wire (7408), strip (7409) and tubes (7411) have an All Industry Rate of 1.2% of FOB.
How do I avoid oxidised coils?
Pack dry in sealed film with desiccant and avoid long open storage at port.
Sources (5)
  1. EEPC India — official site
  2. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  3. Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru
  4. Gazette of India — Notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 20.10.2023: All Industry Rates of duty drawback
  5. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7408 by country, 2025-26

Who buys Indian copper wire and products

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