Imports & ExportsStart exporting

Engineering goods

Export fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws)

Steel and stainless bolts, nuts and screws from Ludhiana, Chennai, Pune and Rajkot; the USA leads.

Free to exportHS 7318
HS code
7318
Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, rivets, cotters, washers and similar articles of iron or steel (HS 7318).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2. Confirm the exact 8-digit line on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before shipping.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 864 mn
to 159 countries

What is exported

India makes standard and high-tensile bolts, nuts, screws and washers for automotive, construction, machinery and wind-energy buyers. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 864 million under HS 7318; the USA led, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, the UAE and the UK (Commerce Department data).

Varieties, grades and forms

  • High-tensile bolts and nutsProperty class 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 for automotive, construction and machinery.
  • Stainless steel fastenersA2/A4 bolts, nuts and screws for marine, food and architectural uses.
  • Screws (wood, self-tapping, machine)For construction and furniture, sold in bulk and retail packs.
  • Washers, rivets and cotter pinsFlat and spring washers, rivets and pins.
  • Special and wind-energy fastenersLarge studs and anchor bolts for wind towers and structures.

Where it is grown or made

  • PunjabLudhiana and Jalandhar
  • Tamil NaduChennai and Coimbatore
  • Maharashtra and GujaratPune, Mumbai, Rajkot and Ahmedabad
  • Haryana and Uttar PradeshFaridabad, Gurugram and Noida

Export packing

  • Bulk fasteners go in strong cartons of fixed weight (often 20–25 kg) on pallets, or in steel or wooden boxes for heavy bolts.
  • Oil or zinc coating plus VCI liners prevent rust in the container.
  • Each box label shows size, grade, finish, standard, quantity and the heat or lot number for traceability.

Who buys abroad

  • Fastener distributors and stockists
  • Vehicle and machinery makers (OEMs)
  • Construction and wind-energy companies
  • DIY and hardware retail chains

The quality buyers ask for

Mechanical properties
ISO 898-1 (bolts, property classes 4.6–12.9) and ISO 898-2 (nuts); ASTM A307, F3125 (A325/A490) for the USA
Dimensions
ISO 4014/4017, DIN 931/933, ASME B18.2.1 and the buyer's drawings
Stainless
ISO 3506 (A2-70, A4-80)
Coatings
Zinc plating, hot-dip galvanising (ISO 10684), zinc-flake; salt-spray hours; EU REACH limits on hexavalent chromium passivation
Structural bolting (EU)
EN 14399 / EN 15048 sets with CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation

Certificates

  • Mill and inspection certificates (EN 10204 3.1)RequiredExpected for high-tensile and project fasteners.
  • IATF 16949Often askedRequired to supply automotive customers.
  • CE marking (structural bolting sets)Often askedNeeded for structural bolting assemblies in the EU.
  • EU CBAM dataRequiredEU importers must report embedded emissions of iron and steel fasteners; give them the production and emissions data they ask for.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality management system; expected by most industrial buyers.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Cartons on pallets or steel boxes in 20-ft containers, loaded to the weight limit — typically about 20–25 tonnes (trade practice).

How it travels

Sea from Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Chennai via ICDs near Ludhiana and Pune.

Storage

Dry and oiled or coated; rust is the main claim.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Head marking: property class (for example 8.8 or 10.9) and the maker's identification mark, as ISO 898-1 and ASTM require.
  • USA: high-strength fasteners must carry a registered manufacturer's insignia under the Fastener Quality Act.
  • Box label: size, standard, grade, finish, quantity, lot number and country of origin.
Where to get it tested

NABL-accredited mechanical testing labs test hardness, tensile strength, proof load and coating; search 'fasteners' in the NABL directory. BIS-recognised labs test to Indian standards.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council)RCMC — iron and steel products are under EEPC.eepcindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Strength grades to ISO 898-1/898-2 or ASTM, marked on the head; mill and inspection certificates for each lot.
  • EU: iron and steel fasteners are covered by CBAM, so EU importers will ask for embedded-emissions data.
  • USA: Section 232 duties on steel derivatives and the Fastener Quality Act marking rules; check current rates before quoting.
How to start small

Start with standard sizes and grades for fastener distributors and stockists in the Gulf and Europe, who buy mixed containers. Join EEPC, control heat treatment with lot-wise test reports and keep CBAM data ready for EU buyers.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Hardness or tensile failures from poor heat treatment.
  • Rust in the container from thin coatings or missing VCI.
  • Ignoring US Section 232 and EU CBAM costs when pricing.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7318 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  3. European Commission — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  4. US Customs and Border Protection — Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium and derivative products
  5. EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council) — official site

Trade data

Indian fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws) exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 864 mn
+11.8% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +5.2%
US$ 822 mn → US$ 864 mn
Buyer countries
159
Average export price
US$ 2.76
per kg · 3,13,713 tonnes shipped · US$ 2.73 the year before
United States of America: US$ 258 mnNetherlands: US$ 77.7 mnGermany: US$ 76.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 73.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 47.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 44.6 mnItaly: US$ 34.9 mnPoland: US$ 16.1 mnFrance: US$ 15.7 mnSpain: US$ 11.5 mnCanada: US$ 11 mnBangladesh: US$ 10.1 mnNepal: US$ 9.6 mnChina: US$ 9.2 mnBelgium: US$ 9 mnMexico: US$ 7.9 mnBrazil: US$ 7.1 mnAustralia: US$ 6.8 mnNigeria: US$ 5.6 mnIreland: US$ 5.4 mnRussia: US$ 5 mnSouth Africa: US$ 4.9 mnSweden: US$ 4.8 mnDenmark: US$ 4.6 mnQatar: US$ 4.3 mnUnited States of America: US$ 258 mnUnited States of AmericaNetherlands: US$ 77.7 mnNetherlandsGermany: US$ 76.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 73.6 mnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom: US$ 47.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 44.6 mnItaly: US$ 34.9 mnItalyPoland: US$ 16.1 mnFrance: US$ 15.7 mnSpain: US$ 11.5 mnCanada: US$ 11 mnBangladesh: US$ 10.1 mnBangladeshNepal: US$ 9.6 mnNepalChina: US$ 9.2 mnBelgium: US$ 9 mnMexico: US$ 7.9 mnBrazil: US$ 7.1 mnAustralia: US$ 6.8 mnNigeria: US$ 5.6 mnIreland: US$ 5.4 mnRussia: US$ 5 mnSouth Africa: US$ 4.9 mnSweden: US$ 4.8 mnDenmark: US$ 4.6 mnQatar: US$ 4.3 mnIndia
Where Indian fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws) goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 494 mn4942020-212021-22: US$ 780 mn7802021-222022-23: US$ 827 mn8272022-232023-24: US$ 863 mn8632023-242024-25: US$ 822 mn8222024-252025-26: US$ 864 mn8642025-26
India’s fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws) 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 16% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.38 per kg2.382021-22: US$ 2.45 per kg2022-23: US$ 2.66 per kg2024-25: US$ 2.73 per kg2025-26: US$ 2.76 per kg2.762020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws) · 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$ 494 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 780 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 827 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 863 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 822 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 864 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.03 bn (US$ 825 mn – US$ 1.28 bn)1.0k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.12 bn (US$ 876 mn – US$ 1.43 bn)1.1k2027-28
India’s fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws) exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.12 bn

Likely range US$ 876 mn to US$ 1.43 bn.

Trend
+8.9% a year
Fit (R²)
0.55
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 States of AmericaUS$ 258 mn+6.6%
2NetherlandsUS$ 77.7 mn+2%
3GermanyUS$ 76.9 mn+21.2%
4United Arab EmiratesUS$ 73.6 mn-3.1%
5United KingdomUS$ 47.9 mn-3.1%
6Saudi ArabiaUS$ 44.6 mn+9%
7ItalyUS$ 34.9 mn+22.5%
8PolandUS$ 16.1 mn+2.3%
9FranceUS$ 15.7 mn0%
10SpainUS$ 11.5 mn-0.2%
11CanadaUS$ 11 mn+38.8%
12BangladeshUS$ 10.1 mn-5.1%

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. BelgiumUS$ 3.5 mn → US$ 9 mn+157.9%
  2. CanadaUS$ 7.9 mn → US$ 11 mn+38.8%
  3. ChinaUS$ 7.4 mn → US$ 9.2 mn+24.2%
  4. ItalyUS$ 28.5 mn → US$ 34.9 mn+22.5%
  5. GermanyUS$ 63.4 mn → US$ 76.9 mn+21.2%

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 screws and bolts whether or not with nuts or washers threaded7318 15 00 · Iron or steel, threaded screws and bolts in item no. 7318.1, whether or not with their nuts or washersUS$ 415 mn+4.6%1,54,253 tonnesUS$ 2.69 per kgwas US$ 2.60
Iron or steel, threaded screws, bolts and nuts in item no. 7318.1 — other threaded articles7318 19 00US$ 193 mn+4.9%93,873 tonnesUS$ 2.06 per kgwas US$ 2.20
Iron or steel, threaded nuts — threaded nuts7318 16 00US$ 102 mn+5.2%26,816 tonnesUS$ 3.80 per kgwas US$ 3.68
Other washers,non-threaded7318 22 00 · Iron or steel, non-threaded washers, excluding spring and lockUS$ 57.3 mn-0.6%21,902 tonnesUS$ 2.61 per kgwas US$ 2.46
Other non-threaded articles n.e.s.7318 29 90 · Iron or steel, non-threaded articles in item no. 7318.2US$ 45.3 mn+26.1%8,509 tonnesUS$ 5.32 per kgwas US$ 5.70
Sprng washrs and other lock washrs,non-thradd7318 21 00 · Iron or steel, non-threaded spring washers and other lock washersUS$ 12.9 mn+27.1%1,362 tonnesUS$ 9.44 per kgwas US$ 7.98
Iron or steel, threaded coach screws — screw machine,threaded7318 11 10US$ 7.8 mn-10.2%1,687 tonnesUS$ 4.63 per kgwas US$ 3.86
Iron or steel, non-threaded articles in item no. 7318.2 — circlips7318 29 10US$ 6.2 mn+5.8%577 tonnesUS$ 10.68 per kgwas US$ 10.68
Other threaded coach screws7318 11 90 · Iron or steel, threaded coach screwsUS$ 5.5 mn+2%1,143 tonnesUS$ 4.79 per kgwas US$ 4.67
Cotters and cotter pins,non-threaded7318 24 00 · Iron or steel, non-threaded cotters and cotter-pinsUS$ 5.3 mn+23%1,016 tonnesUS$ 5.17 per kgwas US$ 7.05
Iron or steel, non-threaded rivets — rivets,non-threaded7318 23 00US$ 4.4 mn+35.4%798 tonnesUS$ 5.51 per kgwas US$ 6.38
Screw hooks and screw rings,threaded7318 13 00 · Iron or steel, threaded screw hooks and screw ringsUS$ 3.4 mn-53.6%275 tonnesUS$ 12.52 per kgwas US$ 9.66
Other wood screws,threaded7318 12 00 · Iron or steel, threaded wood screws other than coach screwsUS$ 3.2 mn+37.8%808 tonnesUS$ 3.92 per kgwas US$ 2.72
Self-tapping screws,threaded7318 14 00 · Iron or steel, threaded self-tapping screwsUS$ 3.1 mn+0.6%694 tonnesUS$ 4.50 per kgwas US$ 3.82

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$ 49.2 bn
2023
India among exporters
#13
of 160 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.7%
US$ 801 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 47.3 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 9.14 bn 19%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 7.75 bn 16.1%
  3. 3USAUS$ 5.45 bn 11.3%
  4. 4Other Asia, nesUS$ 4.59 bn 9.5%
  5. 5ItalyUS$ 2.45 bn 5.1%
  6. 6JapanUS$ 2.37 bn 4.9%
  7. 7FranceUS$ 1.71 bn 3.6%
  8. 8United KingdomUS$ 1.06 bn 2.2%
  9. 9Rep. of KoreaUS$ 1.04 bn 2.2%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 941 mn 2%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 6.71 bn 13.6%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 4.89 bn 9.9%
  3. 3MexicoUS$ 3.46 bn 7%
  4. 4ChinaUS$ 2.45 bn 5%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 2.02 bn 4.1%
  6. 6CanadaUS$ 1.98 bn 4%
  7. 7United KingdomUS$ 1.48 bn 3%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 1.34 bn 2.7%
  9. 9ItalyUS$ 1.33 bn 2.7%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 1.21 bn 2.5%

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$ 7.05 bnIndia 3.7% · gap US$ 6.79 bn
GermanyUS$ 4.44 bnIndia 2.5% · gap US$ 4.33 bn
ChinaUS$ 2.48 bnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 2.46 bn
CanadaUS$ 1.94 bnIndia 1.7% · gap US$ 1.9 bn
FranceUS$ 1.92 bnIndia 1.4% · gap US$ 1.89 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.48 bnIndia 4.3% · gap US$ 1.42 bn
ItalyUS$ 1.22 bnIndia 2.6% · gap US$ 1.18 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 1.1 bnIndia 5% · gap US$ 1.05 bn
SpainUS$ 940 mnIndia 1.6% · gap US$ 924 mn
JapanUS$ 874 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 871 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 fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws)

India makes bolts, nuts, screws and washers for automotive, construction, machinery and wind energy, with large clusters in Ludhiana, Chennai, Pune and Rajkot. China and Taiwan dominate world fastener trade; many buyers in the USA and Europe now want a second source, and trade-defence duties on Chinese fasteners in some markets have helped Indian suppliers. In 2025-26 the USA was the largest buyer, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, the UAE and the UK (Commerce Department data). Iron and steel fasteners are covered by the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and US Section 232 duties on steel derivatives can apply, so check costs before quoting. Openings are in high-tensile automotive and wind fasteners and in stainless fasteners.

  1. 01Register with EEPC India

    Iron and steel products and fasteners are under EEPC.

  2. 02Pick standards and grades

    ISO/DIN for Europe and Asia, ASTM/ASME for the USA.

  3. 03Check the destination duties

    Check US Section 232 and other duties on steel derivatives, any trade remedies, and EU CBAM reporting.

  4. 04Control the heat treatment

    Hardness and tensile tests on every lot; hydrogen embrittlement checks for plated high-tensile bolts.

  5. 05Pack against rust

    Oil, VCI liners and sealed cartons; label with lot numbers.

  6. 06Ship and claim benefits

    File the shipping bill on ICEGATE with the correct 8-digit HS code, declare RoDTEP and drawback, and keep the mill or test certificates with the export file.

  7. 07Get paid safely

    Use an LC or documents against payment with new buyers, take ECGC cover for open-account sales, and close the export with an e-BRC once the money arrives.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws)

What incentives apply?
RoDTEP of 0.9% on every 7318 line and drawback of 1.5% of FOB.
Does EU CBAM affect fasteners?
Yes. Iron and steel screws, bolts and nuts are covered. EU importers must report embedded emissions and, from 2026, buy CBAM certificates, so they will ask you for emissions data.
What is property class 8.8?
A strength grade under ISO 898-1: nominal tensile strength of 800 MPa with a yield ratio of 0.8. It must be marked on the bolt head.
Why do coated bolts fail?
Hydrogen embrittlement after electroplating of high-tensile bolts if baking is skipped, and thin coatings that fail salt-spray tests.
Which buyers suit a small exporter?
Fastener distributors and stockists, who buy standard sizes in mixed containers, before automotive OEMs that need IATF certification.
Sources (9)
  1. EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council) — official site
  2. European Commission — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  3. US Customs and Border Protection — Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium and derivative products
  4. European Commission — Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
  5. ECHA — substances restricted under REACH (Annex XVII)
  6. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  7. 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
  8. Gazette of India — Notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 20.10.2023: All Industry Rates of duty drawback
  9. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7318 by country, 2025-26

Who buys Indian fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws)

All countries →

More in engineering goods

All products →