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Engineering goods

Export switches, sockets and switchgear

Switches, MCBs, connectors and panels; the USA, Germany, France and the UAE buy the most.

Free to exportHS 8536
HS code
8536
Switches, sockets, plugs, fuses, MCBs, relays and connectors up to 1,000 V (8536); also control and distribution panels (8537).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2 as checked in November 2026. No licence is needed for ordinary wiring devices and panels. 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$ 2.64 bn
to 172 countries

What is exported

India makes wiring devices, circuit breakers, relays, connectors and LV panels in Maharashtra (Nashik, Pune, Mumbai), Gujarat (Vadodara, Ahmedabad), Delhi NCR, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 1.5 billion under HS 8536; the USA led, followed by Germany, France, the UAE, the UK and Singapore. Panels (8537) added about US$ 1.1 billion, led by the USA and the UAE.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Modular switches and socketsWiring devices to BS, IEC or buyer standards.
  • Circuit breakersMCBs, RCCBs, MCCBs and ACBs.
  • Relays, contactors and connectorsFor industry, vehicles and electronics.
  • Panels and distribution boardsLV and MV panels, motor control centres (8537).

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraNashik, Pune, Mumbai and Aurangabad
  • GujaratVadodara and Ahmedabad
  • Delhi NCR and Himachal PradeshNoida, Faridabad; Baddi
  • Karnataka and Tamil NaduBengaluru and Chennai

Export packing

  • Wiring devices in printed unit boxes, inner packs and 5-ply cartons with barcodes.
  • Panels in ISPM-15 wooden crates with shock and tilt indicators; doors locked and keys listed.
  • Rating, standard, certification marks and country of origin on each unit.

Who buys abroad

  • Electrical wholesalers and distributors
  • Panel builders and EPC contractors
  • Machinery and vehicle OEMs (relays, connectors)
  • Utilities and infrastructure tenders

The quality buyers ask for

Rating
Rated current and voltage (for example 6–63 A, 230/400 V for MCBs); breaking capacity in kA
Standards
IEC 60898-1 / IEC 60947-2 (breakers), IEC 60669 (switches), BS 1363 or IEC 60884 (sockets), IEC 61439 (panels)
Materials
Flame-retardant polycarbonate or nylon; brass or copper contacts
Protection
IP rating for enclosures; glow-wire test for plastics (IEC 60695-2-11)
Panel type tests
Temperature rise, short-circuit withstand and dielectric tests per IEC 61439

Certificates

  • CE marking (Low Voltage Directive, RoHS)Often askedRequired for the EU.
  • IECEE CB test certificateOften askedAccepted by many countries as the basis for national certification.
  • UL listingOften askedRequired by most US buyers.
  • SASO / SABER (Saudi Arabia) and G-Mark (GCC)Often askedConformity for electrical products entering Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality system expected by distributors and project buyers.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Wiring devices in cartons fill containers by volume; panels go in crates, often in open-top or flat-rack containers if oversized.

How it travels

Sea freight; air for urgent spares.

Storage

Dry storage; protect panels from dust and condensation.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Rating, standard, maker or brand, certification marks and country of origin on each device.
  • Panels: rating plate with voltage, current, short-circuit rating, IP rating and year.
  • EU: CE mark, WEEE bin symbol where applicable, importer address.
Where to get it tested

The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru, and its regional labs test switchgear, breakers and panels. NABL-accredited electrical labs and BIS-recognised labs test wiring devices (search 'electrical' in the NABL directory).

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EEPC IndiaElectric and home appliances and machinery are listed under EEPC in Appendix 2T; take your RCMC from EEPC.eepcindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Product standards of the market: IEC 60669 (switches), IEC 60884 or BS 1363 (sockets; BS 1363 for the UK and much of the Gulf), IEC 60898 (MCBs), IEC 61439 (panels).
  • EU: CE marking under the Low Voltage Directive with RoHS; USA: UL listing; Saudi Arabia: SASO certificate through SABER.
  • Type-test reports from an accredited lab (CPRI or an NABL electrical lab), and a CB test certificate where buyers accept the IECEE CB scheme.
How to start small

Start with switches, sockets and MCBs for Gulf, African and South Asian electrical wholesalers, choosing products already certified to BS or IEC standards. Offer a brand catalogue, price list in US$ and a sample box before the first container.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Wrong plug and socket pattern for the destination (Type G in the UK and Gulf, Type C/F in Europe).
  • Certificates in the maker's name but goods shipped under another brand without a licence agreement.
  • Missing SASO/SABER conformity for Saudi Arabia.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 8536 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 — CE marking
  5. Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru
  6. EEPC India — official site

Trade data

Indian switches, sockets and switchgear exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 2.64 bn
+15.3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +16.2%
US$ 2.27 bn → US$ 2.64 bn
Buyer countries
172
Average export price
US$ 1.12
per kg · 2.36 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 0.97 the year before
United States of America: US$ 561 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 191 mnGermany: US$ 162 mnFrance: US$ 154 mnSingapore: US$ 128 mnChina: US$ 113 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 84.3 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 69.1 mnMexico: US$ 56.8 mnNetherlands: US$ 55.4 mnHong Kong: US$ 53.2 mnThailand: US$ 48.6 mnVietnam: US$ 46.9 mnNepal: US$ 43.6 mnAustralia: US$ 43.3 mnTürkiye: US$ 43.2 mnItaly: US$ 41.7 mnNigeria: US$ 36.6 mnIndonesia: US$ 31.3 mnSouth Korea: US$ 29.6 mnTanzania: US$ 28.7 mnBangladesh: US$ 26.9 mnBrazil: US$ 26.8 mnCanada: US$ 25.4 mnJapan: US$ 24.9 mnUnited States of America: US$ 561 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 191 mnUnited Arab EmiratesGermany: US$ 162 mnGermanyFrance: US$ 154 mnSingapore: US$ 128 mnSingaporeChina: US$ 113 mnChinaUnited Kingdom: US$ 84.3 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 69.1 mnMexico: US$ 56.8 mnMexicoNetherlands: US$ 55.4 mnHong Kong: US$ 53.2 mnThailand: US$ 48.6 mnVietnam: US$ 46.9 mnNepal: US$ 43.6 mnAustralia: US$ 43.3 mnTürkiye: US$ 43.2 mnItaly: US$ 41.7 mnNigeria: US$ 36.6 mnIndonesia: US$ 31.3 mnSouth Korea: US$ 29.6 mnTanzania: US$ 28.7 mnBangladesh: US$ 26.9 mnBrazil: US$ 26.8 mnCanada: US$ 25.4 mnJapan: US$ 24.9 mnIndia
Where Indian switches, sockets and switchgear goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 1.29 bn1.3k2020-212021-22: US$ 1.57 bn1.6k2021-222022-23: US$ 1.71 bn1.7k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.87 bn1.9k2023-242024-25: US$ 2.27 bn2.3k2024-252025-26: US$ 2.64 bn2.6k2025-26
India’s switches, sockets and switchgear 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 2021-22 — a 96% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 0.64 per kg2021-22: US$ 0.57 per kg0.572022-23: US$ 0.79 per kg2024-25: US$ 0.97 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.12 per kg1.122020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian switches, sockets and switchgear · 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$ 1.29 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 1.57 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 1.71 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.87 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 2.27 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 2.64 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 2.96 bn (US$ 2.82 bn – US$ 3.12 bn)3.0k2026-272027-28: US$ 3.4 bn (US$ 3.21 bn – US$ 3.6 bn)3.4k2027-28
India’s switches, sockets and switchgear exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 3.4 bn

Likely range US$ 3.21 bn to US$ 3.6 bn.

Trend
+14.6% a year
Fit (R²)
0.98
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$ 561 mn+6.4%
2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 191 mn+36.6%
3GermanyUS$ 162 mn+23.7%
4FranceUS$ 154 mn+45.7%
5SingaporeUS$ 128 mn+41.5%
6ChinaUS$ 113 mn+41.4%
7United KingdomUS$ 84.3 mn+14.7%
8Saudi ArabiaUS$ 69.1 mn-1.1%
9MexicoUS$ 56.8 mn-13.2%
10NetherlandsUS$ 55.4 mn+5.7%
11Hong KongUS$ 53.2 mn+6.3%
12ThailandUS$ 48.6 mn+71.6%

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. TanzaniaUS$ 15.5 mn → US$ 28.7 mn+85.7%
  2. ThailandUS$ 28.3 mn → US$ 48.6 mn+71.6%
  3. ItalyUS$ 24.7 mn → US$ 41.7 mn+68.5%
  4. FranceUS$ 106 mn → US$ 154 mn+45.7%
  5. SingaporeUS$ 90.6 mn → US$ 128 mn+41.5%
  6. ChinaUS$ 79.6 mn → US$ 113 mn+41.4%
  7. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 140 mn → US$ 191 mn+36.6%
  8. NigeriaUS$ 27 mn → US$ 36.6 mn+35.5%

Low demand

  1. South KoreaUS$ 37.1 mn → US$ 29.6 mn-20.2%
  2. BrazilUS$ 31.2 mn → US$ 26.8 mn-14%
  3. MexicoUS$ 65.4 mn → US$ 56.8 mn-13.2%

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
Others-of-for a voltage not exceeding 1000v8537 10 90 · Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases, for electric control or the distribution of electricity…US$ 794 mn+49.2%27,621 tonnesUS$ 28.74 per kgwas US$ 27.23
Others-of-other appratus of heading 85368536 90 90 · Electrical apparatus in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting electrical circuits, for a voltage…US$ 589 mn+18.4%1.76 bn piecesUS$ 0.34 per piecewas US$ 0.28
Bords etc. for a voltage>1000 vlts8537 20 00 · Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases, for electric control or the distribution of electricity…US$ 233 mn+35.2%11,935 tonnesUS$ 19.51 per kgwas US$ 18.17
Electrical apparatus, switches in heading no. 8536, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts — other switches8536 50 90US$ 155 mn+3.7%122 mn piecesUS$ 1.28 per piecewas US$ 0.94
Electrical apparatus, relays, for a voltage exceeding 60 volts — other relays8536 49 00US$ 104 mn+18.6%4.7 mn piecesUS$ 21.94 per piecewas US$ 18.81
For use in goods of chapter 88 or 89 or 938537 10 10 · Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases, for electric control or the distribution of electricity…US$ 97.6 mn-55.7%1,719 tonnesUS$ 56.81 per kgwas US$ 27.96
Miniature circuit breakers8536 20 30 · Electrical apparatus, automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsUS$ 76.3 mn-14.2%42.5 mn piecesUS$ 1.79 per piecewas US$ 1.84
Relays for a vltg not excdg 60 v8536 41 00 · Electrical apparatus, relays,US$ 62.4 mn+23%10.2 mn piecesUS$ 6.12 per piecewas US$ 4.64
Other switches of plastics8536 50 20 · Electrical apparatus, switches in heading no. 8536, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsUS$ 62 mn+6.7%37.4 mn piecesUS$ 1.66 per piecewas US$ 3.50
Connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables8536 70 00 · Connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cablesUS$ 61.8 mn+207.6%12.5 mn piecesUS$ 4.94 per piecewas US$ 0.73
Others-of-autmtc circuit breakers8536 20 90 · Electrical apparatus, automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsUS$ 61.1 mn+13.7%6.7 mn piecesUS$ 9.07 per piecewas US$ 9.26
Electrical apparatus in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting electrical circuits, for a voltage… — junction boxes (bus bar)8536 90 30US$ 56.1 mn+6.3%13.8 mn piecesUS$ 4.05 per piecewas US$ 2.92
Electrical apparatus, automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts — air circuit breakers8536 20 10US$ 55 mn-21.1%332k piecesUS$ 165.38 per piecewas US$ 344.31
Moulded case circuit breakers8536 20 20 · Electrical apparatus, automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsUS$ 43.8 mn-5.8%1.3 mn piecesUS$ 34.46 per piecewas US$ 40.02

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$ 215.3 bn
2023
India among exporters
#26
of 163 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.9%
US$ 1.82 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 210.2 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 34.2 bn 16.1%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 33.5 bn 15.8%
  3. 3USAUS$ 20 bn 9.4%
  4. 4MexicoUS$ 13.5 bn 6.3%
  5. 5JapanUS$ 8.92 bn 4.2%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 7.76 bn 3.7%
  7. 7China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 7.73 bn 3.6%
  8. 8CzechiaUS$ 6.34 bn 3%
  9. 9Rep. of KoreaUS$ 5.17 bn 2.4%
  10. 10RomaniaUS$ 5.07 bn 2.4%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 32.8 bn 15.2%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 21.6 bn 10%
  3. 3ChinaUS$ 18 bn 8.4%
  4. 4MexicoUS$ 11 bn 5.1%
  5. 5China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 7.18 bn 3.3%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 6.5 bn 3%
  7. 7United KingdomUS$ 6.22 bn 2.9%
  8. 8ThailandUS$ 5.97 bn 2.8%
  9. 9CzechiaUS$ 5.22 bn 2.4%
  10. 10ItalyUS$ 5.12 bn 2.4%

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.

United States of AmericaUS$ 35.2 bnIndia 1.7% · gap US$ 34.6 bn
GermanyUS$ 20.7 bnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 20.6 bn
ChinaUS$ 17.4 bnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 17.3 bn
FranceUS$ 6.27 bnIndia 1.9% · gap US$ 6.15 bn
United KingdomUS$ 6.22 bnIndia 1.7% · gap US$ 6.11 bn
CanadaUS$ 4.97 bnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 4.93 bn
VietnamUS$ 4.97 bnIndia 1.1% · gap US$ 4.92 bn
ItalyUS$ 4.77 bnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 4.74 bn
SingaporeUS$ 4.46 bnIndia 1.4% · gap US$ 4.4 bn
JapanUS$ 4.29 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 4.27 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 switches, sockets and switchgear

India has a large electrical equipment industry with global and Indian brands making wiring devices, breakers and panels both for home use and export. Germany, China, France, Italy and the USA lead world trade, with China the main price competitor. Demand comes from construction in the Gulf and Africa, grid and renewable-energy projects, data centres and industrial automation. Openings are in certified wiring devices for the Gulf and Africa, LV panels for projects, and connectors and relays supplied to OEMs.

  1. 01Choose standard and market

    BS for the UK and much of the Gulf, IEC for Europe and Africa, UL for North America.

  2. 02Type-test and certify

    Test at CPRI or an accredited lab; get CB, CE or SASO certificates.

  3. 03Build a catalogue

    Data sheets, price list in US$ and sample boxes.

  4. 04Appoint distributors

    Electrical wholesalers or panel builders per country.

  5. 05Inspect and pack

    Routine tests on every lot; barcode and carton marks.

  6. 06Ship and claim

    File the shipping bill; claim RoDTEP and drawback.

  7. 07Payment

    LC or advance with new buyers; ECGC cover for open account.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting switches, sockets and switchgear

Which plug standard does the Gulf use?
The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and others mostly use BS 1363 (Type G); Saudi Arabia has its own SASO rules — check the market.
What is a CB certificate?
A test certificate under the IECEE scheme that many countries accept, which saves repeating tests.
Which council?
EEPC India.
What RoDTEP applies?
0.7% of FOB on the 8536 lines we checked and on panels up to 1,000 V; 0.9% above 1,000 V.
Can I sell under my own brand?
Yes, but certificates must cover your brand; a maker's certificate does not automatically transfer.
Sources (6)
  1. EEPC India — official site
  2. European Commission — CE marking
  3. Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru
  4. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  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. Gazette of India — Notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 20.10.2023: All Industry Rates of duty drawback

Who buys Indian switches, sockets and switchgear

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