Imports & ExportsStart exporting

Other goods

Export granite and stone blocks

Raw granite blocks from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — China buys most.

Free to exportHS 2516
HS code
2516
Granite, sandstone, basalt and other monumental or building stone in rough blocks or merely cut into rectangular blocks or slabs (2516), and marble, travertine and similar calcareous stone in blocks (2515). Polished and worked stone is HS 6802.
Export policy
Free to export
Not restricted in ITC(HS) Schedule 2 (in Chapter 25 only sand and soil carry an export licence condition). The blocks must come from a legal quarry with state transit passes and royalty paid. Confirm the current entry on the DGFT ITC(HS) search.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 611 mn
to 98 countries

What is exported

India ships rough and gang-saw-sized granite blocks, mainly black and coloured granites from South India, to processors abroad who cut and polish them. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 562 million under HS 2516; China took more than 60%, followed by Bangladesh, the UK, the Maldives and the USA. Marble and similar stone blocks (HS 2515) were about US$ 49 million, again led by China.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Black granite blocksAbsolute black and black galaxy from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • Coloured granite blocksRed, brown, green and multicolour granites from Telangana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
  • Sandstone and other building stone blocksSandstone and quartzite blocks, mainly from Rajasthan.
  • Marble blocksMarble and similar calcareous stone under HS 2515.

Where it is grown or made

  • Andhra PradeshPrakasam (Ongole, Chimakurthy) and Chittoor
  • TelanganaKarimnagar, Khammam and Warangal
  • KarnatakaChamarajanagar, Bengaluru Rural and other quarry districts
  • Tamil NaduKrishnagiri and Dharmapuri
  • RajasthanJalore (granite); Makrana and Rajsamand (marble); Dholpur and Bundi (sandstone)

Export packing

  • Blocks are not packed: each is measured, numbered and painted with its block number and size.
  • Smaller blocks go in open-top or standard containers with wooden dunnage and lashing; large blocks go break-bulk.

Who buys abroad

  • Stone processors with gang saws (China, Bangladesh, Europe)
  • Block traders and importers
  • Monument makers who cut their own stone

The quality buyers ask for

Block size
Gang-saw size blocks (commonly about 2.4 m and above in length) or smaller cutter-size blocks; measured in cubic metres
Colour and grain
Uniform colour and grain against the approved sample
Defects
No through-cracks; limits on veins, spots, rust marks and hair-line cracks
Physical properties
Density, water absorption and strength (ASTM C615 or EN tests) where the buyer asks

Certificates

  • Mining lease, transit pass and royalty papersRequiredProof of legal extraction for each block; required for customs and buyers.
  • Inspection certificateRequiredBlock-wise measurement and grading report, often by the buyer's inspector.
  • Certificate of originOften askedFor preferential duty where a trade agreement applies.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Blocks are very heavy: typically one or two blocks fill a container to its weight limit (about 25–28 tonnes). Large blocks ship break-bulk.

How it travels

Sea from Krishnapatnam, Kakinada, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Tuticorin or Mundra.

Storage

Store at the quarry or port yard on level ground; keep block numbers visible.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Block number and dimensions painted on the block.
  • Packing list with each block's number, size, volume and weight.
  • Stone name and quarry origin as agreed with the buyer.
Where to get it tested

The Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS), Jaipur, and the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), Bengaluru, test stone. For ASTM or EN tests, search NABL under building materials; CAPEXIL can guide members.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CAPEXILGranites and natural stones are listed under CAPEXIL in Appendix 2T.capexil.org ↗
  • State Department of Mines and GeologyQuarry lease, mineral dispatch permits (transit passes) and royalty receipts come from the state mines department; customs and buyers ask for them.ibm.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Block measurement and grading at the quarry or port: size in cubic metres, colour, grain, cracks, veins and stains, often with the buyer's inspector present.
  • Legal origin papers (lease, transit pass, royalty) for every block.
  • Physical test reports (density, water absorption, strength) if the buyer specifies them.
How to start small

Work with an established quarry owner or block trader in Prakasam, Karimnagar, Khammam, Krishnagiri or Jalore. Send block photos and measurements, invite the buyer's inspector to select blocks, and ship against LC — block buyers in China usually pay by LC after inspection.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Hidden cracks found when the block is sawn abroad — buyers claim deductions; inspect carefully and agree a claims window.
  • Blocks from quarries without valid lease or royalty papers — customs and state authorities can seize them.
  • Wrong freight mode: blocks above container weight limits must go break-bulk; plan the port and handling in advance.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 2516 and 2515 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)
  4. CAPEXIL — official site
  5. Indian Bureau of Mines — mineral rules and returns

Trade data

Indian granite and stone blocks exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 611 mn
-6.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +13.9%
US$ 536 mn → US$ 611 mn
Buyer countries
98
Average export price
US$ 0.06
per kg · 9.50 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 0.07 the year before
China: US$ 372 mnBangladesh: US$ 32.8 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 32.4 mnUnited States of America: US$ 25.5 mnMaldives: US$ 24.1 mnTaiwan: US$ 16.3 mnAlgeria: US$ 16.3 mnFrance: US$ 11.8 mnNepal: US$ 8.4 mnPoland: US$ 8.3 mnItaly: US$ 8.2 mnVietnam: US$ 7.3 mnBelgium: US$ 6.9 mnEgypt: US$ 5.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 3.9 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2.9 mnCanada: US$ 2.9 mnNetherlands: US$ 2.4 mnGermany: US$ 1.9 mnIreland: US$ 1.7 mnNorway: US$ 1.6 mnSpain: US$ 1.5 mnBhutan: US$ 1.4 mnJapan: US$ 1.3 mnChina: US$ 372 mnChinaBangladesh: US$ 32.8 mnBangladeshUnited Kingdom: US$ 32.4 mnUnited KingdomUnited States of America: US$ 25.5 mnUnited States of AmericaMaldives: US$ 24.1 mnMaldivesTaiwan: US$ 16.3 mnTaiwanAlgeria: US$ 16.3 mnFrance: US$ 11.8 mnNepal: US$ 8.4 mnPoland: US$ 8.3 mnItaly: US$ 8.2 mnVietnam: US$ 7.3 mnBelgium: US$ 6.9 mnEgypt: US$ 5.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 3.9 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2.9 mnCanada: US$ 2.9 mnNetherlands: US$ 2.4 mnGermany: US$ 1.9 mnIreland: US$ 1.7 mnNorway: US$ 1.6 mnSpain: US$ 1.5 mnBhutan: US$ 1.4 mnJapan: US$ 1.3 mnIndia
Where Indian granite and stone blocks goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 836 mn8362020-212021-22: US$ 906 mn9062021-222022-23: US$ 661 mn6612022-232023-24: US$ 623 mn6232023-242024-25: US$ 536 mn5362024-252025-26: US$ 611 mn6112025-26
India’s granite and stone blocks exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2021-22, lowest in 2025-26 — a 17% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 0.07 per kg2021-22: US$ 0.07 per kg0.072022-23: US$ 0.07 per kg2024-25: US$ 0.07 per kg2025-26: US$ 0.06 per kg0.062020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian granite and stone blocks · 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$ 836 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 906 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 661 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 623 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 536 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 611 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 496 mn (US$ 423 mn – US$ 582 mn)4962026-272027-28: US$ 453 mn (US$ 379 mn – US$ 541 mn)4532027-28
India’s granite and stone blocks exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 453 mn

Likely range US$ 379 mn to US$ 541 mn.

Trend
-8.7% a year
Fit (R²)
0.73
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
1ChinaUS$ 372 mn+16.6%
2BangladeshUS$ 32.8 mn+6.9%
3United KingdomUS$ 32.4 mn+8.4%
4United States of AmericaUS$ 25.5 mn-14.7%
5MaldivesUS$ 24.1 mn+38%
6TaiwanUS$ 16.3 mn+32.4%
7AlgeriaUS$ 16.3 mn-8.7%
8FranceUS$ 11.8 mn+38.6%
9NepalUS$ 8.4 mn+39.1%
10PolandUS$ 8.3 mn-7.8%
11ItalyUS$ 8.2 mn-6.9%
12VietnamUS$ 7.3 mn+72.2%

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. VietnamUS$ 4.2 mn → US$ 7.3 mn+72.2%
  2. NepalUS$ 6 mn → US$ 8.4 mn+39.1%
  3. FranceUS$ 8.5 mn → US$ 11.8 mn+38.6%
  4. MaldivesUS$ 17.5 mn → US$ 24.1 mn+38%
  5. TaiwanUS$ 12.3 mn → US$ 16.3 mn+32.4%
  6. ChinaUS$ 319 mn → US$ 372 mn+16.6%
  7. BelgiumUS$ 6.1 mn → US$ 6.9 mn+13.1%

Low demand

  1. United States of AmericaUS$ 29.9 mn → US$ 25.5 mn-14.7%

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
Granite crude or roughly trimmed2516 11 00 · Granite, crude or roughly trimmedUS$ 328 mn+18.4%3.33 mn tonnesUS$ 0.10 per kgwas US$ 0.11
Granite merely cut into block/slabs of rectangular (including sqr) shape2516 12 00 · Granite, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shapeUS$ 108 mn-1.1%8,60,072 tonnesUS$ 0.13 per kgwas US$ 0.15
Sandstone,. whether or not roughly trimmed, cut, by sawing etc, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shape — sandstone2516 20 00US$ 64.5 mn+9.8%3,71,960 tonnesUS$ 0.17 per kgwas US$ 0.16
Monumental or building stone in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing… — stone boulders2516 90 20US$ 38 mn+6.7%2.98 mn tonnesUS$ 0.01 per kgwas US$ 0.01
Blocks marble and travertine2515 12 10 · Marble and travertine, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shape…US$ 28.2 mn+45.8%2,00,210 tonnesUS$ 0.14 per kgwas US$ 0.14
Monumental or building stone in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing… — pakur stone2516 90 10US$ 14.1 mn+63.9%1.62 mn tonnesUS$ 0.01 per kgwas US$ 0.01
Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or… — others (ecaussine etc.)2515 20 90US$ 12 mn+3.5%61,729 tonnesUS$ 0.19 per kgwas US$ 0.19
Other monumental or building stone not elsewhere specified2516 90 90 · Monumental or building stone in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing…US$ 8.9 mn+8.9%51,047 tonnesUS$ 0.17 per kgwas US$ 0.18
Slabs marble and travertine2515 12 20 · Marble and travertine, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shape…US$ 7.3 mn+23.8%14,642 tonnesUS$ 0.50 per kgwas US$ 0.39
Other marble and travertine2515 12 90 · Marble and travertine, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shape…US$ 1.4 mn-3.4%7,062 tonnesUS$ 0.20 per kgwas US$ 0.20
Marble and travertine crude/roughly trimmd2515 11 00 · Marble and travertine, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, crude or roughly trimmed by sawing or…US$ 490k-12.5%2,732 tonnesUS$ 0.18 per kgwas US$ 0.17
Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or… — alabaster ecaussini2515 20 10US$ 10k—20 tonnesUS$ 0.50 per kg

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$ 3.88 bn
2023
India among exporters
#2
of 133 countries
India’s share of world exports
20.8%
US$ 655 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 2.49 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1TürkiyeUS$ 684 mn 21.7%
  2. 2IndiaUS$ 655 mn 20.8%
  3. 3ItalyUS$ 415 mn 13.2%
  4. 4BrazilUS$ 161 mn 5.1%
  5. 5GreeceUS$ 159 mn 5.1%
  6. 6PortugalUS$ 158 mn 5%
  7. 7SpainUS$ 110 mn 3.5%
  8. 8NorwayUS$ 65.8 mn 2.1%
  9. 9South AfricaUS$ 52.3 mn 1.7%
  10. 10IranUS$ 49.1 mn 1.6%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 2.01 bn 51.9%
  2. 2IndiaUS$ 342 mn 8.8%
  3. 3ItalyUS$ 235 mn 6.1%
  4. 4United KingdomUS$ 181 mn 4.7%
  5. 5Other Asia, nesUS$ 112 mn 2.9%
  6. 6EgyptUS$ 86.1 mn 2.2%
  7. 7MaldivesUS$ 65.3 mn 1.7%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 62.6 mn 1.6%
  9. 9USAUS$ 55.2 mn 1.4%
  10. 10PortugalUS$ 52.9 mn 1.4%

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.

ChinaUS$ 2.07 bnIndia 19.9% · gap US$ 1.66 bn
ItalyUS$ 220 mnIndia 6.2% · gap US$ 207 mn
United KingdomUS$ 181 mnIndia 44.2% · gap US$ 101 mn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 58.6 mnIndia 4.3% · gap US$ 56 mn
EgyptUS$ 60.2 mnIndia 7% · gap US$ 56 mn
SpainUS$ 53.9 mnIndia 2.2% · gap US$ 52.8 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 45.7 mnIndia 2.7% · gap US$ 44.5 mn
FranceUS$ 44.3 mnIndia 17% · gap US$ 36.8 mn
United States of AmericaUS$ 60.3 mnIndia 45.5% · gap US$ 32.8 mn
GermanyUS$ 34.2 mnIndia 5.9% · gap US$ 32.2 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 granite and stone blocks

India is one of the largest exporters of raw granite blocks, with Brazil, Norway, Finland, Zimbabwe and South Africa as other major sources. China buys most Indian blocks and cuts them into slabs and tiles for its own market and for export, often competing with Indian processed stone. Demand follows construction and memorial markets worldwide. Block exports earn less per tonne than finished stone, but need less capital, and some colours are found only in India. Openings are in rare and premium colours, steady supply contracts with processors in China and Europe, and moving up to slabs and tiles over time.

  1. 01Source legal blocks

    Buy from leased quarries with transit passes and royalty receipts.

  2. 02Measure and photograph

    Number each block, measure it and share photos with buyers.

  3. 03Register

    IEC, GST LUT and RCMC from CAPEXIL.

  4. 04Buyer selection

    The buyer's inspector selects and grades blocks at the quarry or port.

  5. 05Contract and LC

    Price per cubic metre; LC with the inspection certificate.

  6. 06Transport and load

    Move by trailer to port; load in containers with dunnage or break-bulk.

  7. 07Ship and get paid

    Present documents under the LC; there is no RoDTEP or drawback on blocks.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting granite and stone blocks

Is raw granite export allowed?
Yes. HS 2516 has no export condition in ITC(HS) Schedule 2, but blocks must come from legal quarries with state papers. Confirm on DGFT.
Do blocks get export incentives?
No RoDTEP (Chapter 25 is not in Appendix 4R) and nil drawback. Worked stone under 6802 does get both.
Who buys granite blocks?
Mainly processors in China (over 60% of India's 2516 exports in 2025-26), then Bangladesh, the UK, the Maldives and the USA.
How are blocks priced?
Per cubic metre, by colour, size and quality grade. Rare colours and large defect-free blocks fetch much more.
Which council covers granite blocks?
CAPEXIL — granites and natural stones are listed under it in Appendix 2T.
Sources (8)
  1. CAPEXIL — official site
  2. Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS), Jaipur
  3. National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), Bengaluru
  4. Indian Bureau of Mines — mineral rules and returns
  5. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  6. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  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

Who buys Indian granite and stone blocks

All countries →

More in other goods

All products →