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Export sports goods

Cricket gear, footballs and fitness goods from Jalandhar and Meerut; the UK, USA and Australia lead.

Free to exportHS 9506
HS code
9506
Articles for sports and outdoor games — cricket bats and balls, footballs and other inflatable balls, fitness equipment, protective gear. Sports gloves are in 4203 and 6116.
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 202 mn
to 122 countries

What is exported

Jalandhar and Meerut are India's sports-goods hubs, making cricket bats and balls, hand-stitched footballs, boxing and fitness equipment and protective gear. Buyers are sports brands, retailers and clubs. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 202 million under HS 9506; the UK and the USA were the top buyers, followed by Australia, Germany and South Africa.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Inflatable ballsHand-stitched and machine-stitched footballs, volleyballs and rugby balls from Jalandhar and Meerut.
  • Cricket bats, balls and protective gearEnglish-willow and Kashmir-willow bats, leather balls, pads and gloves.
  • Fitness and gym equipmentDumbbells, weight plates, benches and yoga accessories.
  • Hockey sticks, nets and table-tennis goodsIncluding sports nets and table-tennis bats and tables.
  • Boxing, martial-arts and other gearGloves, punch bags and guards.

Where it is grown or made

  • PunjabJalandhar — balls, cricket and hockey goods, fitness equipment
  • Uttar PradeshMeerut — cricket gear, balls and athletics equipment
  • Jammu and KashmirAnantnag (Bijbehara area) — Kashmir-willow cricket bats
  • Delhi NCRDelhi and Gurugram — fitness equipment and distributors

Export packing

  • Balls ship deflated in polybags inside cartons; bats are wrapped in sleeves or covers and packed upright.
  • Retail items need the buyer's branding, barcode and origin marking; heavy fitness goods go on ISPM-15 pallets.
  • Willow bats and wooden goods need dry packing (silica gel) and may need a fumigation certificate.

Who buys abroad

  • Sports brands buying private label
  • Sporting-goods chains and specialist shops
  • Clubs, schools and sports federations
  • Distributors and online sellers

The quality buyers ask for

Footballs
FIFA Quality Programme tests (FIFA Basic, FIFA Quality, FIFA Quality Pro): weight, circumference, roundness, rebound, water uptake, pressure loss and shape retention
Cricket balls and bats
Ball weight and size as set in the MCC Laws of Cricket; bat dimensions within the Laws; willow grade (English or Kashmir)
Protective gear
Cricket helmets to BS 7928; other protective equipment to EN standards (for example EN 13277 for martial arts) under the EU PPE Regulation
Fitness equipment
EN ISO 20957 series for stationary training equipment
Chemicals
Chromium VI in leather balls and gloves, PAHs and phthalates in rubber and PVC parts (EU REACH)
Hockey sticks
Dimensions, weight and bow within FIH rules for match sticks

Certificates

  • FIFA Quality Programme licenceOften askedNeeded to print FIFA quality marks on footballs; many federations and leagues require it for match balls.
  • CE (PPE Regulation 2016/425)RequiredProtective gear (helmets, pads, guards) sold in the EU as PPE needs CE marking after type examination.
  • Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, SMETA or WFSGI-linked programmes)RequiredBig sports brands require audits, with special checks on home-based ball stitching and child labour.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality system for larger units.
  • Chemical test reportsOften askedREACH and buyer RSL tests on leather, rubber and PVC parts.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Balls ship deflated in cartons (saves space); bats and sticks in cartons with protective sleeves. LCL or 20-ft/40-ft containers by volume; ISPM-15 for any wooden packing.

How it travels

Sea for season orders; air for urgent and small club orders.

Storage

Keep willow bats and leather goods dry and away from heat; bats can crack if stored too dry or too damp.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Country of origin ('Made in India') on product or packaging.
  • Footballs: size, recommended pressure, and FIFA quality mark only under licence.
  • PPE: CE mark, standard number, size and user instructions in the local language.
  • Bats: care instructions (knocking-in, oiling) and willow grade claims that match the product.
Where to get it tested

The MSME Process-cum-Product Development Centre for sports goods in Meerut and the MSME technology centre in Jalandhar test and support sports-goods makers. For FIFA ball tests, use one of the FIFA-accredited test institutes listed on FIFA's site. For chemicals and PPE tests, search the NABL directory.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • SGEPC (Sports Goods Export Promotion Council)RCMC for sports goods; SGEPC also leads India pavilions at international sports and toy fairs.sportsgoodsindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Match balls for official competitions need the governing body's quality approval (for example FIFA Quality for footballs).
  • Protective gear such as helmets and guards: EU personal protective equipment rules with CE marking; US CPSC rules where they apply (for example bicycle helmets).
  • Wooden bats and packing: ISPM-15 for wooden packing; some buyers ask for willow source details.
How to start small

Pick one category where India is known — for example cricket equipment for the UK, Australia and South Africa — and source from a Jalandhar or Meerut maker. Join SGEPC, offer private-label options to clubs and sports shops, and ship small air or LCL orders before the playing season.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Missing the season: cricket and football demand is seasonal, and late goods are refused or discounted.
  • Using official league or brand logos without a licence — goods seized as counterfeit.
  • Protective gear sold without the required safety certification.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 9506 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. IPPC — ISPM 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade
  5. US Consumer Product Safety Commission — business guidance
  6. Sports Goods Export Promotion Council — official site

Trade data

Indian sports goods exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 202 mn
+6.5% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +2.6%
US$ 197 mn → US$ 202 mn
Buyer countries
122
Average export price
US$ 3.90
per kg · 51,734 tonnes shipped · US$ 3.79 the year before
United Kingdom: US$ 40.3 mnUnited States of America: US$ 40.3 mnAustralia: US$ 30.2 mnGermany: US$ 9.6 mnSouth Africa: US$ 8 mnNetherlands: US$ 6.5 mnNepal: US$ 5 mnSpain: US$ 5 mnFrance: US$ 4.7 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 4.2 mnCanada: US$ 4.1 mnItaly: US$ 2.5 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2 mnMalaysia: US$ 1.2 mnJapan: US$ 1 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 960kBhutan: US$ 890kUnited Kingdom: US$ 40.3 mnUnited KingdomUnited States of America: US$ 40.3 mnUnited States of AmericaAustralia: US$ 30.2 mnAustraliaGermany: US$ 9.6 mnSouth Africa: US$ 8 mnSouth AfricaNetherlands: US$ 6.5 mnNepal: US$ 5 mnNepalSpain: US$ 5 mnSpainFrance: US$ 4.7 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 4.2 mnCanada: US$ 4.1 mnItaly: US$ 2.5 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2 mnMalaysia: US$ 1.2 mnJapan: US$ 1 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 960kBhutan: US$ 890kIndia
Where Indian sports goods goes — among our 30 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 148 mn1482020-212021-22: US$ 198 mn1982021-222022-23: US$ 183 mn1832022-232023-24: US$ 191 mn1912023-242024-25: US$ 197 mn1972024-252025-26: US$ 202 mn2022025-26
India’s sports goods 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 9% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 3.57 per kg3.572021-22: US$ 3.67 per kg2022-23: US$ 3.68 per kg2024-25: US$ 3.79 per kg2025-26: US$ 3.90 per kg3.902020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian sports goods · 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$ 148 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 198 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 183 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 191 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 197 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 202 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 218 mn (US$ 193 mn – US$ 246 mn)2182026-272027-28: US$ 228 mn (US$ 199 mn – US$ 261 mn)2282027-28
India’s sports goods exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 228 mn

Likely range US$ 199 mn to US$ 261 mn.

Trend
+4.7% a year
Fit (R²)
0.54
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 KingdomUS$ 40.3 mn-2.3%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 40.3 mn+7.1%
3AustraliaUS$ 30.2 mn+16.4%
4GermanyUS$ 9.6 mn-4.6%
5South AfricaUS$ 8 mn-14.7%
6NetherlandsUS$ 6.5 mn+4.5%
7IrelandUS$ 5.1 mn-2.5%
8NepalUS$ 5 mn+58%
9SpainUS$ 5 mn+39.8%
10FranceUS$ 4.7 mn-19.6%
11United Arab EmiratesUS$ 4.2 mn+12%
12CanadaUS$ 4.1 mn-0.2%

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. NepalUS$ 3.2 mn → US$ 5 mn+58%
  2. SpainUS$ 3.6 mn → US$ 5 mn+39.8%
  3. AustraliaUS$ 25.9 mn → US$ 30.2 mn+16.4%
  4. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 3.8 mn → US$ 4.2 mn+12%

Low demand

  1. ItalyUS$ 3.2 mn → US$ 2.5 mn-23.4%
  2. DenmarkUS$ 2.1 mn → US$ 1.6 mn-22.4%
  3. New ZealandUS$ 3.3 mn → US$ 2.6 mn-21.6%
  4. FranceUS$ 5.8 mn → US$ 4.7 mn-19.6%
  5. South AfricaUS$ 9.4 mn → US$ 8 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
Equipment for outdoor games and recreation in heading no. 9506 — other sports equipments9506 99 90US$ 60.9 mn-6.7%22.1 mn piecesUS$ 2.76 per piecewas US$ 2.76
Other gymnastic/athletic requisites9506 91 90 · Athletics and gymnastics equipmentUS$ 31 mn+24.6%6,495 tonnesUS$ 4.77 per kgwas US$ 5.06
Leg pads and bats for cricket9506 99 20 · Equipment for outdoor games and recreation in heading no. 9506US$ 21.7 mn+0.3%1.0 mn piecesUS$ 21.23 per piecewas US$ 13.98
Balls, — rugby ball9506 69 40US$ 17.7 mn-1.6%5.1 mn piecesUS$ 3.44 per piecewas US$ 3.24
Equipment for outdoor games and recreation in heading no. 9506 — sports nets9506 99 60US$ 17.6 mn-10%785k piecesUS$ 22.41 per piecewas US$ 21.11
Balls, inflatable — foot ball9506 62 10US$ 11.9 mn-9.1%2.9 mn piecesUS$ 4.08 per piecewas US$ 4.09
Athletics and gymnastics equipment — boxing equipments9506 91 10US$ 8.6 mn+57.2%976 tonnesUS$ 8.84 per kgwas US$ 6.82
Others-of-inflatable balls9506 62 90 · Balls, inflatableUS$ 5.9 mn-1.7%1.8 mn piecesUS$ 3.25 per piecewas US$ 2.50
Balls, — cricket ball9506 69 20US$ 4.6 mn+11.1%1.5 mn piecesUS$ 2.99 per piecewas US$ 2.58
Articles and equipment for table-tennis9506 40 00 · Table-tennis articles and equipmentUS$ 4.2 mn+20.6%276k piecesUS$ 15.03 per piecewas US$ 47.41
Other watr-sport equpmnts(surf-boards water-skis etc.)9506 29 00 · Water sport equipment, water-skis, surf-boards and other water-sport equipment, excluding sailboardsUS$ 3.6 mn+22.4%22k piecesUS$ 162.88 per piecewas US$ 124.56
Equipment for outdoor games and recreation in heading no. 9506 — other guards9506 99 80US$ 3 mn+68.6%556k piecesUS$ 5.31 per piecewas US$ 2.76
Balls, — others-of-other balls9506 69 90US$ 2.4 mn+15.5%4.5 mn piecesUS$ 0.53 per piecewas US$ 0.66
Balls, inflatable — basket ball9506 62 30US$ 1.4 mn-10.6%447k piecesUS$ 3.20 per piecewas US$ 3.20

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$ 29.8 bn
2023
India among exporters
#22
of 153 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.6%
US$ 187 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 33.2 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 15.3 bn 45.8%
  2. 2USAUS$ 2.06 bn 6.2%
  3. 3Other Asia, nesUS$ 1.58 bn 4.7%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 1.29 bn 3.9%
  5. 5NetherlandsUS$ 1.07 bn 3.2%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 987 mn 3%
  7. 7ItalyUS$ 966 mn 2.9%
  8. 8AustriaUS$ 810 mn 2.4%
  9. 9Viet NamUS$ 781 mn 2.3%
  10. 10China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 725 mn 2.2%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 7.63 bn 25.6%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 1.62 bn 5.4%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 1.48 bn 5%
  4. 4JapanUS$ 1.45 bn 4.9%
  5. 5CanadaUS$ 1.41 bn 4.7%
  6. 6United KingdomUS$ 1.26 bn 4.2%
  7. 7Rep. of KoreaUS$ 1.21 bn 4%
  8. 8NetherlandsUS$ 1.1 bn 3.7%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 806 mn 2.7%
  10. 10MexicoUS$ 755 mn 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$ 8.05 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 8.01 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.64 bnIndia 0.6% · gap US$ 1.63 bn
CanadaUS$ 1.45 bnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 1.44 bn
FranceUS$ 1.44 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 1.43 bn
JapanUS$ 1.33 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.32 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.26 bnIndia 3.4% · gap US$ 1.22 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 1.21 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 1.21 bn
South KoreaUS$ 1.02 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.02 bn
SpainUS$ 809 mnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 805 mn
ItalyUS$ 732 mnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 729 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 sports goods

India is a well-known maker of sports goods, especially hand-stitched balls, cricket bats and equipment, hockey sticks, boxing and fitness gear, from Jalandhar and Meerut. China dominates world exports of sports and fitness equipment, and Pakistan (Sialkot) is India's main rival in hand-stitched footballs and gloves; Vietnam and Taiwan are strong in other gear. Demand comes from sports retailers, clubs and brands in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA, and from the growth of cricket and fitness. Openings are in cricket equipment for new cricket markets, inflatable balls that meet FIFA quality tests, and fitness accessories under private label.

  1. 01Pick a category

    Focus on one sport or product family your cluster does well.

  2. 02Meet the standard

    Test against FIFA, BS 7928, EN or the buyer's own specification.

  3. 03Samples and branding

    Make samples with the buyer's logo, colours and packaging.

  4. 04Audit the chain

    Register home-based stitchers and keep records to pass audits.

  5. 05Production and QC

    Check weight, size and stitching; test samples from each batch.

  6. 06Ship before the season

    Plan shipments to arrive before the sport's season; file the shipping bill and claim RoDTEP and drawback.

  7. 07Payment

    Advance plus balance against documents, or LC with new buyers.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting sports goods

How do I get a FIFA quality mark on my footballs?
Apply under the FIFA Quality Programme, send balls to a FIFA-accredited test institute, pay the licence fee, and print the mark only on licensed models.
Is CE needed for cricket pads and helmets?
Yes, in the EU, if sold as protective equipment. In the UK, helmets are expected to meet BS 7928.
English willow or Kashmir willow?
English willow bats sell at higher prices to serious players; Kashmir willow suits entry-level and training bats. State the willow honestly on the label.
Which council covers sports goods?
SGEPC (Sports Goods Export Promotion Council).
When should I ship cricket gear to England?
The English season starts in April, so retailers want stock in winter. Plan production in the second half of the previous year.
Sources (6)
  1. SGEPC (Sports Goods Export Promotion Council) — official site
  2. FIFA — Quality Programme standards for footballs
  3. European Commission — CE marking
  4. ECHA — substances restricted under REACH (Annex XVII list with conditions)
  5. Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) — technology centres and testing
  6. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories

Who buys Indian sports goods

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