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Top 10 Import Products from India to UK by List

Last Updated : 20 Mar, 2024
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India and the UK have a significant trading relationship, with India exporting a variety of products to the UK. Some of the top items are textiles, medicines, machines, jewellery and chemicals. People in the UK like Indian clothes and fabrics because they are good quality and not too expensive.

Even when factories had to close because of the COVID-19 virus, India still sent a lot of stuff to the UK. The UK buys many different things from India. In this article, we will look into the top 10 imports of the UK from India.

List of Import Products from India to UK

Here is the list of top import products from India to UK.

Product

Value

Engineering Goods

$75.9 billion

Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products

$2.24B

Gems and Jewellery

$19 billion

Cotton and Other Fabrics

$252.68M

Pharmaceutical Products

$563.6 million

Electrical and Electronic Items

$2.31B

Organic Chemicals

$421.91M

Plastics

$200M

Leather and leather goods

$231.90M

Food products

$143.99M

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Engineering Goods

  • India is a major supplier of industrial machinery, equipment and hardware parts.
  • It is one of the largest producers of steel, making various stainless steel engineering instruments. In 2021, India earned about $75.9 billion from exporting engineering goods worldwide.
  • However, earnings were slightly higher in 2019-20. The Covid-19 pandemic affected exports in this field. Top engineering companies and manufacturing units in the UK rely on engineering equipment imported from India.

Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products

  • Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products are significant import categories from India to the UK.
  • These products include various types of fuels, oils, and distilled petroleum products.
  • India exports a considerable amount of these products to the UK to meet its energy needs.
  • The demand for mineral fuels and oils from India to the UK has remained stable over the years.
  • This trade contributes to the energy security and economic relations between India and the UK.

Gems and Jewelry

  • India is a hub for the production and trading of gems and jewelry. The country has a rich tradition of crafting jewelry pieces using various precious and semi-precious stones.
  • India’s gems and jewelry sector includes a wide range of products, including gold, silver, diamond and gemstone jewelry, as well as ornaments made from traditional materials like pearls and beads.
  • This industry plays a significant role in India’s economy, contributing to employment generation and export earnings.
  • In recent years, India has emerged as one of the leading exporters of gems and jewelry to markets worldwide, including the UK.

Cotton and Other Fabrics

  • India is the world’s second-largest exporter of cotton, just behind China. With a rich history in textile manufacturing, India provide range of fabrics, including cotton, silk, wool and synthetic fibers.
  • The country’s cotton industry is particularly significant, as India is one of the largest cotton producers globally.
  • The textile industry in India relies heavily on cotton. China, Vietnam and Bangladesh are the top three importers of Indian cotton and the UK also imports a substantial amount. From April to December in 2020 cotton exports from India increased by 106 percent.
  • This trade relationship supports the textile industry in both countries and contributes to economic growth and employment opportunities.

Pharmaceutical Products

  • In 2020, India sent $563.6 million worth of pharmaceutical products to the United Kingdom. India is a major maker of medicines and vaccines, including those for diseases like Covid-19. During the pandemic, India supplied vaccines to many countries.
  • India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals to the UK market, offering a wide range of medicines and healthcare products.
  • These products include both generic and branded medications, as well as over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines.
  • The UK relies on India for a significant portion of its pharmaceutical imports due to the competitive pricing and quality of Indian-made medicines.
  • This trade relationship plays a vital role in ensuring access to important healthcare products for the UK population.

Electrical and Electronic Items

India is a manufacturer of electrical and electronic items, including mobile phones and their accessories. The country also produces various components for smartphones and computer hardware. In 2021, India earned around $11.11 billion from exporting electronics and electrical items. The export of electronic items to the UK amounted to approximately $453.31 million during the same period.

Organic Chemicals

  • Like many European countries, the UK imports organic chemicals from India. These chemicals serve various purposes, such as dyeing textile fabrics for clothing, bed sheets, and curtains.
  • India exports edible colors to the UK, which are used in food, beverages, and baking. In 2021, India earned approximately $242.29 million from the UK through the export of organic chemicals.

Plastics

  • India exports a variety of plastic products to the UK, including plastic articles for household use, packaging materials, and industrial components. These plastic items serve diverse purposes, from everyday household items to specialized industrial applications.
  • In 2021, India earned a significant revenue from exporting plastics to the UK, contributing to the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.
  • The trade in plastics contributes to strengthening economic ties between India and the UK.

Leather and leather goods

  • India also exports leather and leather goods to the UK. These products include a wide range of items such as leather bags, shoes, belts, and accessories. Indian leather products are known for their quality craftsmanship and unique designs.
  • Exporting leather goods to the UK provides opportunities for Indian manufacturers to tap into the global market and showcase their expertise in leather craftsmanship.

Food products

  • India exports various food products to the UK, including spices, tea, coffee, and other culinary items. These products are known for their rich flavors and quality.
  • Indian spices add depth and complexity to dishes, while tea and coffee are enjoyed for their distinct aromas and tastes.
  • Exporting food products to the UK allows Indian producers to share their culinary heritage with consumers abroad and contribute to the global food market.

Conclusion

The top products that the UK imports from India include a variety of items such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, fabrics like cotton, electronic devices, chemicals, plastics, iron, steel, food items like coffee, tea, spices as well as leather goods.

These imports highlight the strong trade relationship between India and the UK, serving to meet the needs and preferences of consumers in both countries. The consistent growth in these import categories emphasizes the ongoing importance of trade between the two nations.

Import Products from India to UK – FAQs

What is UK’s biggest import?

The top imports of United Kingdom are Gold ($53.9B), Cars ($33.6B), Petroleum Gas ($26.8B), Crude Petroleum ($23.4B), and Packaged Medicaments ($15.2B), importing mostly from China ($86.2B), Germany ($76.3B), United States ($55.5B), Netherlands ($43.1B), and Norway ($33.5B).

What are the main products that the UK imports from India?

The UK imports a wide range of products from India, including engineering goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, cotton, electronics, organic chemicals, plastics, iron and steel and food products.

How does the UK benefit from importing goods from India?

Importing goods from India allows the UK to access a diverse range of high-quality products at competitive prices. It fosters trade relations between the two countries, promotes economic growth, and provides consumers in the UK with a variety of choices.

Can I sell Indian products in UK?

Deciding which products to export from India to the UK is a big decision. You need to know what people want and what you want to achieve with your business. Amazon makes it easier by allowing you to export over 30 different types of products. These include things like textiles for the home, clothes, spices, jewelry, and leather goods.

Can I carry mangoes from India to UK?

You cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you’re leaving.



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