- Firm downstream demand supports imports
- Cathode availability drops following 2024 QCO
India’s copper pipes and tubes imports rose significantly by 31.7% y-o-y in the first half of 2025, totalling 71,920 tonnes (t), compared to 54,623 t in H1CY’24.
The strongest monthly total was recorded in March, which saw 15,761 t, sharply higher than 10,829 t last March. February and May also showed robust gains, driven by increased demand and improved supplier compliance with BIS norms. Despite a dip in June, the overall trend pointed to stronger sourcing from countries such as Malaysia and South Korea, which saw the highest y-o-y growth.
The output of copper tubes in India is also rising, but the overall production capacity still cannot meet the rapidly growing domestic demand. The Indian copper tube market is highly dependent on imports, especially products sourced from Vietnam, Malaysia and China.
Country-wise share
In H1CY’25, arrivals from Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam drove the growth in India’s copper pipe and tube imports. Among them, Vietnam was the largest source, due to factors such as geographical proximity, accounting for about 60% of the entire import market.
Malaysia saw a 53% y-o-y jump due to export incentives, early Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifications, and low freight costs. South Korea’s 94% surge was driven by high-quality output, swift compliance with Quality Control Order (QCO) norms, and India’s refined copper shortages.
Vietnam, with 9% growth, offered cost-effective alternatives backed by rising capacity and regulatory alignment. These countries gained share as India’s construction and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sectors demanded timely imports. Their geographic proximity, policy readiness, and competitive pricing positioned them as key suppliers amid evolving trade rules.
The main importers of copper tubes in India from 2021 to 2024 are home appliance manufacturers, trading companies, etc.
Factors boosting India’s copper pipes, tubes imports
Stable industrial demand pre-monsoon: Demand from HVAC, refrigeration, and infrastructure segments remained firm in Q1 and early Q2 before the seasonal monsoon slowdown, supporting higher import volumes.
The particularly sharp jump in March’s imports aligns with pre-monsoon construction cycles and infrastructure project timelines, when builders and distributors stockpile materials in expectation of seasonal disruptions, fueling temporary spikes in import volumes.
Rising HVAC and renewable energy installations across Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities are also generating consistent off-take for copper tubes, adding to structural demand.
Substitution for refined copper cathode imports due to regulatory impact: The introduction of a QCO in late 2024 tightened import norms and certification for refined copper, reducing cathode availability. This supply disruption led manufacturers to substitute by directly importing more downstream products such as copper pipes and tubes, especially from countries swiftly adapting to Indian standards.
Improved compliance with BIS certification among key suppliers: Importers from countries such as Malaysia and South Korea rapidly obtained the BIS certifications required under new Indian regulations, enabling smooth import flows without disruption. This compliance advantage contributed to stronger import volumes from these countries.
Outlook
According to China Research and Intelligence Co (CRI) analysis, due to the limited production of copper tubes in India, the country’s imports are expected to continue to grow in the next few years.
As domestic production ramps up slowly, Indian policymakers may explore trade agreements or raw material duty cuts (currently 7.5% basic customs duty on copper tubes) to ease costs for downstream industries.
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