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Engineering goods

Export tractors

Rugged 20–60 hp farm tractors and power tillers; the USA is the top buyer, then South Asia and Africa.

Free to exportHS 8701
HS code
8701
Tractors, including agricultural tractors, power tillers (single-axle tractors) and road tractors (HS 8701).
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$ 1.27 bn
to 158 countries

What is exported

India is the world's largest tractor market and exports tractors from Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 1.27 billion under HS 8701; the USA led, followed by Belgium, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Italy and South Africa (Commerce Department data).

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Agricultural tractors up to 50 hpIndia's core strength: rugged, low-cost tractors for small farms in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.
  • Compact and sub-compact tractorsSmall tractors for US hobby farms, landscaping and orchards.
  • Higher-hp tractors (50–75 hp and above)For larger farms and haulage.
  • Power tillers and single-axle tractorsWalk-behind machines for paddy and hill farming (8701 10).
  • Road tractors and electric tractorsSmall but new lines under 8701 20 and 8701 24.

Where it is grown or made

  • PunjabMohali and Ropar
  • Maharashtra and Madhya PradeshNagpur, Mumbai (Kandivali) and Pithampur
  • Haryana and Uttar PradeshFaridabad and Greater Noida
  • Tamil Nadu and KarnatakaChennai and Hosur area
  • Rajasthan and GujaratJaipur and Rajkot

Export packing

  • Tractors usually ship as roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo or lashed on flat-rack containers; small tractors fit inside 40-ft containers with wheels or the ROPS frame removed.
  • CKD kits go in steel crates by assembly group for local assembly plants.
  • Machines must be washed free of soil — Australia, New Zealand and the USA inspect used and new machinery for soil and seeds.

Who buys abroad

  • Overseas subsidiaries and appointed dealers of Indian brands
  • Government tenders and lines of credit (Africa, South Asia)
  • Farm-equipment distributors

The quality buyers ask for

Performance testing
OECD Standard Codes (power take-off, drawbar, hydraulics, noise, ROPS strength) — widely accepted by buyers and governments
EU approval
Type approval under Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 and engine emissions under Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (Stage V)
USA emissions
EPA Tier 4 certification for the engine
Rollover protection
ROPS and seat belt required in the EU, USA and Australia
Configuration
hp, 2WD/4WD, PTO speeds, lift capacity, tyre sizes and three-point linkage category

Certificates

  • OECD tractor test reportOften askedOften required in government tenders and by importers.
  • EU type approval and CE (Stage V engine)Often askedNeeded to sell tractors in the EU.
  • US EPA certificateOften askedNeeded for tractors sold in the USA.
  • Cleanliness (soil-free) inspectionRequiredAustralia and New Zealand inspect machinery for soil, seeds and pests on arrival.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality management system; expected by most industrial buyers.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Ro-Ro, flat racks or 40-ft containers; a 40-ft container typically holds about 3–6 small tractors with wheels removed, or more as CKD kits (trade practice).

How it travels

Sea from Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Chennai; road to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Storage

Covered yards; protect hydraulics and electricals from rain.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Serial and engine numbers on the chassis and engine, matching the invoice.
  • Safety decals and operator's manual in the market language; EU and US emissions labels on the engine.
  • Country of origin ('Made in India') on the product or its packing, as the buyer's customs require.
Where to get it tested

The Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMTTI), Budni, Madhya Pradesh, is India's main tractor testing centre and has run OECD tests. Other government testing institutes are in Hisar, Anantapur and Biswanath Chariali. For EU and US approvals, use a recognised technical service.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council)RCMC — tractors and machinery are under EEPC.eepcindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • EU: type approval under Regulation (EU) 167/2013 and Stage V engine emissions; USA: EPA Tier 4 engine certification.
  • Many governments and importers ask for an OECD tractor test report.
  • Australia and New Zealand inspect machinery for soil and seeds; ship it washed clean.
How to start small

Complete tractors are exported by manufacturers. Smaller firms can start with tractor parts, implements or power tillers for dealers in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Africa, and watch EXIM Bank line-of-credit projects for supply tenders.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Machines held at Australian ports for soil contamination.
  • No spares or service network in the buying country.
  • Engine emission level not accepted in the market.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 8701 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. EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 on the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles
  5. OECD — Standard Codes for the official testing of agricultural and forestry tractors
  6. US EPA — Regulations for emissions from nonroad vehicles and engines

Trade data

Indian tractors 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
+8.6% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +10.4%
US$ 1.15 bn → US$ 1.27 bn
Buyer countries
158
Average export price
US$ 10574.14
per kg · 120 tonnes shipped · US$ 10673.18 the year before
United States of America: US$ 208 mnBelgium: US$ 89.3 mnBrazil: US$ 71 mnSri Lanka: US$ 67.8 mnBangladesh: US$ 65.3 mnItaly: US$ 60.5 mnSouth Africa: US$ 52.5 mnMexico: US$ 51.9 mnAlgeria: US$ 44.2 mnThailand: US$ 39 mnTanzania: US$ 27.3 mnNepal: US$ 25.8 mnFrance: US$ 24.8 mnKenya: US$ 23.5 mnGermany: US$ 18.2 mnIndonesia: US$ 16.6 mnPortugal: US$ 16.4 mnNetherlands: US$ 15 mnTürkiye: US$ 14 mnPoland: US$ 13.9 mnSudan: US$ 13.1 mnAustralia: US$ 12.1 mnCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 11 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 10.8 mnUnited States of America: US$ 208 mnUnited States of AmericaBelgium: US$ 89.3 mnBelgiumBrazil: US$ 71 mnBrazilSri Lanka: US$ 67.8 mnSri LankaBangladesh: US$ 65.3 mnBangladeshItaly: US$ 60.5 mnItalySouth Africa: US$ 52.5 mnMexico: US$ 51.9 mnAlgeria: US$ 44.2 mnThailand: US$ 39 mnTanzania: US$ 27.3 mnNepal: US$ 25.8 mnFrance: US$ 24.8 mnKenya: US$ 23.5 mnGermany: US$ 18.2 mnIndonesia: US$ 16.6 mnPortugal: US$ 16.4 mnNetherlands: US$ 15 mnTürkiye: US$ 14 mnPoland: US$ 13.9 mnSudan: US$ 13.1 mnAustralia: US$ 12.1 mnCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 11 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 10.8 mnIndia
Where Indian tractors goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 839 mn8392020-212021-22: US$ 1.38 bn1.4k2021-222022-23: US$ 1.49 bn1.5k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.11 bn1.1k2023-242024-25: US$ 1.15 bn1.2k2024-252025-26: US$ 1.27 bn1.3k2025-26
India’s tractors exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 50% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 7576.21 per kg7576.212021-22: US$ 9762.53 per kg2022-23: US$ 11388.41 per kg11388.412024-25: US$ 10673.18 per kg2025-26: US$ 10574.14 per kg10574.142020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian tractors · 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$ 839 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 1.38 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 1.49 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.11 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.15 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.27 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.34 bn (US$ 1 bn – US$ 1.8 bn)1.3k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.39 bn (US$ 1 bn – US$ 1.93 bn)1.4k2027-28
India’s tractors exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.39 bn

Likely range US$ 1 bn to US$ 1.93 bn.

Trend
+3.6% a year
Fit (R²)
0.1 — weak, read with care
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$ 208 mn-14.6%
2BelgiumUS$ 89.3 mn+122%
3BrazilUS$ 71 mn-19.4%
4Sri LankaUS$ 67.8 mn+189.2%
5BangladeshUS$ 65.3 mn+7%
6ItalyUS$ 60.5 mn+66.6%
7South AfricaUS$ 52.5 mn-13.3%
8MexicoUS$ 51.9 mn-33%
9AlgeriaUS$ 44.2 mn+272.1%
10ThailandUS$ 39 mn-29.2%
11TanzaniaUS$ 27.3 mn+18.3%
12NepalUS$ 25.8 mn+80.8%

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. SudanUS$ 2.3 mn → US$ 13.1 mn+465.1%
  2. AlgeriaUS$ 11.9 mn → US$ 44.2 mn+272.1%
  3. Sri LankaUS$ 23.4 mn → US$ 67.8 mn+189.2%
  4. BelgiumUS$ 40.3 mn → US$ 89.3 mn+122%
  5. NepalUS$ 14.2 mn → US$ 25.8 mn+80.8%
  6. KenyaUS$ 14 mn → US$ 23.5 mn+67.8%
  7. ItalyUS$ 36.3 mn → US$ 60.5 mn+66.6%
  8. IndonesiaUS$ 10.4 mn → US$ 16.6 mn+59.9%

Low demand

  1. EthiopiaUS$ 14 mn → US$ 7.7 mn-44.5%
  2. ArgentinaUS$ 14.6 mn → US$ 9.7 mn-33.4%
  3. MexicoUS$ 77.6 mn → US$ 51.9 mn-33%
  4. ThailandUS$ 55.1 mn → US$ 39 mn-29.2%
  5. TürkiyeUS$ 18 mn → US$ 14 mn-21.9%
  6. BrazilUS$ 88.1 mn → US$ 71 mn-19.4%
  7. United States of AmericaUS$ 243 mn → US$ 208 mn-14.6%
  8. AustraliaUS$ 14.2 mn → US$ 12.1 mn-14.6%

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 tractors, of an engine powerexceeding 37 kw but not exceeding 75 kw8701 93 00 · Tractors in heading no 8701, of an engine power exceeding 37kW but not exceeding 75kWUS$ 590 mn+3%47k piecesUS$ 12439.84 per piecewas US$ 12530.65
Other tractors, of an engine powerexceeding 18 kw but not exceeding 37 kw8701 92 00 · Tractors in heading no 8701, of an engine power exceeding 18kW but not exceeding 37kWUS$ 347 mn+32%46k piecesUS$ 7567.69 per piecewas US$ 7911.83
Other tractors, of an engine powerexceeding 75 kw but not exceeding 130 kw8701 94 00 · Tractors in heading no 8701, of an engine power exceeding 75kW but not exceeding 130kWUS$ 161 mn+33%5k piecesUS$ 33350.58 per piecewas US$ 32672.60
Other track-laying tractors8701 30 99 · Tractors, track-layingUS$ 84.9 mn+50%7k piecesUS$ 12966.87 per piecewas US$ 15797.99
Other tractors, of an engine powernot exceeding 18 kw8701 91 00 · Tractors in heading no 8701, of an engine power not exceeding 18kWUS$ 43.8 mn-47.1%8k piecesUS$ 5764.27 per piecewas US$ 6383.95
Road tractors for semi-trailers with internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)8701 21 00 · Tractors, road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engineUS$ 38.7 mn-20.2%1k piecesUS$ 27284.91 per piecewas US$ 43256.02
Tractors, single axle — single axle tractors8701 10 00US$ 3.5 mn-19.4%3k piecesUS$ 1211.91 per piecewas US$ 1214.72
Road tractors for semi-trailers: other8701 29 00 · Tractors, road tractors for semi-trailers, with other propulsion methods in item no 8701.2US$ 210k-55.3%3k piecesUS$ 75.05 per piecewas US$ 450.19
Tractors, track-laying — other garden tractors8701 30 19US$ 140k+1,300%380 piecesUS$ 368.42 per piecewas US$ 3.73
Other tractors, of an engine powerexceeding 130 kw8701 95 00 · Tractors in heading no 8701, of an engine power exceeding 130kWUS$ 60k+20%7 piecesUS$ 8571.43 per piecewas US$ 666.67
Road tractors for semi-trailers with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor8701 23 00 · Tractors, road tractors for semi-trailers, with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and…US$ 10k—1 piecesUS$ 10000.00 per piece
Other track-laying tractors of engn capacity <= 1800cc8701 30 91 · Tractors, track-layingUS$ 10k0%4 piecesUS$ 2500.00 per piecewas US$ 5000.00
Road tractors for semi-trailers with only electric motor8701 24 00 · Tractors, road tractors for semi-trailers, with only electric motors for propulsionUS$ 0-100%——
Garden tractors of engn capacity <= 1800cc8701 30 11 · Tractors, track-layingUS$ 0-100%——

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$ 82.6 bn
2023
India among exporters
#17
of 141 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.2%
US$ 1.11 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 89 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 14.3 bn 15.9%
  2. 2MexicoUS$ 13.4 bn 14.9%
  3. 3NetherlandsUS$ 8.51 bn 9.4%
  4. 4USAUS$ 7.92 bn 8.8%
  5. 5ChinaUS$ 7.55 bn 8.4%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 6.8 bn 7.5%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 4.09 bn 4.5%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 3.16 bn 3.5%
  9. 9ItalyUS$ 2.69 bn 3%
  10. 10SwedenUS$ 2.47 bn 2.7%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 19.6 bn 23.8%
  2. 2CanadaUS$ 6.04 bn 7.3%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 5.68 bn 6.9%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 5.11 bn 6.2%
  5. 5United KingdomUS$ 3.57 bn 4.3%
  6. 6PolandUS$ 3.21 bn 3.9%
  7. 7ItalyUS$ 3.18 bn 3.8%
  8. 8TürkiyeUS$ 2.24 bn 2.7%
  9. 9AustraliaUS$ 2.04 bn 2.5%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 1.9 bn 2.3%

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$ 15.7 bnIndia 2.1% · gap US$ 15.3 bn
CanadaUS$ 5.35 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 5.33 bn
FranceUS$ 4.14 bnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 4.11 bn
GermanyUS$ 3.59 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 3.57 bn
United KingdomUS$ 3.57 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 3.56 bn
ItalyUS$ 2.37 bnIndia 1.6% · gap US$ 2.34 bn
AustraliaUS$ 2.04 bnIndia 1.2% · gap US$ 2.02 bn
SpainUS$ 1.83 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 1.82 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 1.34 bnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 1.33 bn
IranUS$ 942 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 942 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 tractors

India is the world's largest tractor market and a major exporter, known for rugged, affordable tractors in the 20–60 hp range. Competition comes from Chinese makers in Africa and Asia and from European and US brands in higher-hp segments; several global brands also make tractors in India for export. In 2025-26 the USA, Belgium, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were the largest buyers (Commerce Department data). Exports are led by large manufacturers and through Indian government lines of credit in Africa. Openings are in compact tractors for the USA, power tillers for paddy farming in Asia, and tractor parts.

  1. 01Pick the segment and market

    Small tractors for Africa and Asia, compact tractors for the USA, or parts for assemblers.

  2. 02Register with EEPC India

    Tractors and farm machinery are under EEPC.

  3. 03Test and approve the model

    OECD test, and EU or US approvals where needed.

  4. 04Appoint a distributor

    Tractors need dealers, spares and mechanics in the buying country.

  5. 05Watch government tenders

    EXIM Bank lines of credit fund many tractor supplies to African governments.

  6. 06Clean, pack and ship

    Wash soil-free, drain or protect fluids, lash or crate, file the shipping bill.

  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 tractors

Is tractor export free?
Yes, tractors under HS 8701 are freely exportable. Approvals are on the buying country's side.
What incentives apply?
RoDTEP at 0.7% of FOB and duty drawback at 2% of FOB.
Why do Australian ports hold tractors?
Biosecurity officers inspect machinery for soil and seeds and order cleaning at the importer's cost if they find any. Check BICON conditions.
Do I need an OECD test?
Not by law in most countries, but many governments and importers ask for it as proof of performance.
Can I export tractor parts instead?
Yes. Parts such as gears, axles and hydraulic parts are a good start for smaller firms; they fall under their own HS headings.
Sources (8)
  1. EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council) — official site
  2. OECD — Standard Codes for the official testing of agricultural and forestry tractors
  3. EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 on the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles
  4. European Commission — Emissions from non-road mobile machinery (Regulation (EU) 2016/1628)
  5. US EPA — Regulations for emissions from nonroad vehicles and engines
  6. 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
  7. Gazette of India — Notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 20.10.2023: All Industry Rates of duty drawback
  8. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 8701 by country, 2025-26

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