Top 50 Products Exported from India — Complete Trade Data

India exports over USD 450 billion worth of merchandise annually. From refined petroleum and polished diamonds to generic medicines and Basmati rice, the country's export basket is remarkably diverse, spanning natural resources, manufactured goods, agricultural commodities, and increasingly, technology products.

This guide lists the top 50 products exported from India with HS codes, actual trade values, year-over-year growth, and the primary destination markets for each product. Whether you are an importer looking to source from India or a market researcher tracking trade flows, this data is your starting point.

What are the top products exported from India?

India's top exports by value are refined petroleum products (USD 83 billion), polished diamonds and gems (USD 23 billion), pharmaceutical products (USD 27 billion), iron and steel (USD 15 billion), and rice (USD 10 billion). These five categories alone account for roughly 35% of India's total merchandise exports.

Here is the complete top 50 list:

Data source: DGCI&S (Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics), DGFT, and UN Comtrade, 2025/2026 fiscal year estimates.

Which sectors are growing the fastest?

India's fastest-growing export sectors are smartphones and telecom equipment (+42.3%), transformers and electrical equipment (+22.1%), cement (+18.2%), electrical machinery (+18.5%), and pharmaceutical products (+12.1%) — reflecting India's industrial upgrading from raw materials toward higher-value manufactured goods.

The smartphone story is particularly dramatic. Just five years ago, India barely featured on the global smartphone export map. Today, driven by Apple's decision to shift iPhone production to India through Foxconn and Tata Electronics, smartphone exports have surged past USD 9 billion annually and are projected to hit USD 20 billion by 2028.

This shift matters for B2B buyers because it signals that India's manufacturing capabilities are upgrading rapidly. Sectors that were previously dominated by low-value, labor-intensive goods (textiles, handicrafts) are being complemented by precision manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology products.

Sectors in decline deserve attention too. Cotton textiles (-1.5%), cotton yarn (-4.2%), and polished diamonds (-3.2%) are facing headwinds from global demand slowdowns and competition from synthetic alternatives (lab-grown diamonds, synthetic fibers).

For importers tracking India's evolving export profile, Tawaf's Indian supplier directory is updated continuously as new manufacturers and exporters join the platform.

Where does India export to?

India's top export destinations are the United States (USD 80+ billion), the UAE (USD 35+ billion), the Netherlands (USD 18 billion), China (USD 16 billion), and Bangladesh (USD 14 billion). The USA alone absorbs roughly 18% of India's total merchandise exports.

The Middle East is a critical market for Indian exports. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain collectively purchase over USD 65 billion of Indian goods annually. For businesses in these markets, sourcing from India through platforms like Tawaf provides access to a deep supplier base at competitive prices.

How do HS codes work for Indian exports?

The Harmonized System (HS) code is a 6-digit international product classification used by customs authorities worldwide. India extends this to 8 digits (ITC-HS codes) for more granular classification. Every product exported from India must be classified under an HS code, which determines customs duties, export incentives, and trade agreement eligibility.

Understanding HS codes is essential for importers because:

1. Duty rates vary by HS code. A product classified under the wrong code may face higher duties in the destination country.
2. Free trade agreements (India has FTAs with ASEAN, South Korea, Japan, and is negotiating with the EU and UK) offer reduced duties only for products classified under specific HS chapters.
3. Export incentives like RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) provide refunds based on HS code classification.

Here are HS code examples for India's top exports:

Ready to source directly from Indian exporters? Sign up on Tawaf and get instant access to verified manufacturers and exporters across all 50 product categories listed above.

What are India's key export ports?

India's top five export ports by volume are Nhava Sheva (JNPT, Mumbai), Mundra (Gujarat), Pipavav (Gujarat), Chennai, and Kolkata/Haldia. Nhava Sheva alone handles approximately 40% of India's containerized cargo.

Mundra has overtaken JNPT as India's largest port by total throughput (including bulk cargo), but JNPT remains the primary port for containerized manufactured goods. Shipping lines from JNPT to Dubai and the UAE run daily, with transit times of 4 to 5 days.

What trade agreements affect Indian exports?

India has active Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN (10 countries), South Korea, Japan, and Sri Lanka, plus Preferential Trade Agreements with MERCOSUR, Chile, and Afghanistan. The India-UAE CEPA (signed 2022) is the most impactful recent agreement, reducing duties on 80% of products traded between the two countries.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is particularly relevant for Tawaf users. Under CEPA, Indian exports to the UAE receive preferential duty rates on over 97% of tariff lines, including:

• Zero duty on Indian jewellery (previously 5%)
• Zero duty on many textiles and garments
• Reduced duties on engineering goods, plastics, and chemicals
• Immediate zero duty on all Indian agricultural products

For businesses using Tawaf to connect Indian suppliers with UAE buyers, CEPA makes the cost equation even more favorable.

India is also negotiating FTAs with the EU, UK, Canada, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). A GCC-wide FTA would extend CEPA-like benefits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman — a transformative development for the USD 65+ billion India-Gulf trade corridor.

What are the documentation requirements for Indian exports?

Standard export documentation from India includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin (for FTA benefits), phytosanitary certificate (for food products), FSSAI registration (for food), drug manufacturing license (for pharma), and a shipping bill filed through the Indian Customs ICEGATE portal.

The Indian government has significantly digitized export documentation through ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway). Most documents are now processed electronically, reducing clearance times from days to hours.

Key certificates that international buyers should request:

What incentives do Indian exporters receive from the government?

Indian exporters benefit from RoDTEP (refund of embedded taxes, 0.5-4.3% of FOB value), Advance Authorization (duty-free import of raw materials for export production), EPCG scheme (concessional duty on capital goods), and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) insurance against buyer default.

These incentives effectively reduce the cost of Indian goods by 3% to 8%, depending on the product category and scheme utilization. Savvy importers negotiate with Indian exporters based on the understanding that these benefits exist — meaning the exporter's effective cost is lower than the sticker price suggests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Indian products have the highest profit margins for importers?

Margins vary by market, but historically, Indian spices (30-50% markup at destination), generic pharmaceuticals (25-40%), handmade carpets and textiles (40-60%), and processed foods (20-35%) offer attractive margins for importers. Commodity products like rice, steel, and chemicals operate on thinner margins (5-15%) but higher volumes.

How reliable is delivery from Indian exporters?

Delivery reliability has improved significantly since India's port modernization programs. Major ports now operate 24/7, and container dwell times at JNPT and Mundra have dropped below 3 days. However, inland logistics can add variability — factories in central India may need 3-5 days to move goods to port. Build a 7-10 day buffer into your delivery planning compared to Chinese lead times.

Can small businesses import from India?

Absolutely. India's MSME-heavy manufacturing sector is well-suited to smaller orders. Many Indian exporters accept orders starting at USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 for manufactured goods and even lower for agricultural commodities. Platforms like Tawaf are specifically designed to connect small and medium B2B buyers with Indian suppliers.

What is the cheapest way to ship goods from India?

Full container load (FCL) sea freight from Indian ports to the Middle East costs approximately USD 800 to USD 1,200 per 20-foot container (rates fluctuate). LCL (less than container load) rates are USD 40-60 per cubic meter. Air freight from India averages USD 2.50-4.00 per kilogram for commercial cargo. For small B2B orders, consolidated LCL shipments through freight forwarders in Mumbai or Delhi offer the best value.

Are Indian exports subject to quality inspections before shipping?

Pre-shipment inspection is mandatory for certain product categories (food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals) and optional for others. The Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) oversees mandatory inspections. For non-mandatory products, buyers can request voluntary inspections through agencies like SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek at the buyer's cost (typically USD 200-500 per inspection).

Keep Reading

• List of Manufacturing Companies in India — Complete Directory — profiles of India's top manufacturers by sector, with sourcing tips for international buyers.
• Biggest Rice Producers in the World — Country Rankings 2026 — deep dive into rice, India's top agricultural export by volume.
• Sugar Exporters in India — ICUMSA 45 and Raw Sugar Trade — India's sugar export industry, including ICUMSA grading and key trading companies.