Top 10 Import Products from India to Germany: According to the United Nations Comtrade database, Germany imported different Indian products worth 15.49 Billion USD in 2023. In December 2023; Deutschland majorly imported basic pharmaceutical products and agricultural goods with knitted or crocheted fabrics from India.
India and Germany have maintained a strategic partnership in trade for the last 500 years. In the EU, Germany is the largest trading partner of India. In FY 2022-2023, the country was the 12th largest trading partner of India. As a recent development in trade; 25% of German-based companies are planning to use India as an R&D location by 2028.
In this article, we are going to discuss the top products that Germany or Deutschland imports from India in detail.
Import Products of Germany
This includes a wide array of items such as electronics, clothing, coffee, and raw materials essential for its industries. Germany, being a highly industrialized nation, requires substantial inputs for its manufacturing sector, such as precious metals for technology products, textiles for its fashion industry, and components for its automotive sector. These imports are crucial for supporting Germany’s diverse economy, enabling it to maintain its status as one of the world’s leading exporters by adding value to imported goods or utilizing these imports to meet domestic demand.
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Top 10 Import Products From India to Germany
In 2022 – 2023, India and Germany’s bilateral trade was $26 billion. In this India’s exports reached $10.1 billion to Germany. Germany imported so many pharmaceutical products, fabrics, prefabricated chemicals, telecommunication devices, and machinery for electricity production and distribution from India. Here are the top 10 import products of Germany from India as mentioned below.
| Product Category |
Value |
% of Total Export |
| Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers |
$1.69B |
16.08% |
| Organic chemicals |
$1.64B |
15.61% |
| Electrical, electronic equipment |
$1.59B |
15.13% |
| Pharmaceutical products |
$1.02B |
9.69% |
| Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products |
$835.29M |
7.95% |
| Articles of apparel, not knit or crocheted |
$780.87M |
7.43% |
| Vehicles other than railways, tramways |
$732.05M |
6.97% |
| Footwear, gaiters, and the like |
$549.93M |
5.23% |
| Articles of iron or steel |
$486.27M |
4.63% |
| Coffee, tea, mate and spices, edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons, tobacco, and manufactures tobacco substitutes |
$388.38M |
3.69% |
1. Machinery, Nuclear Reactors, Boilers – $1.69 Billion
In 2023, Germany purchased machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers worth $1.69 billion from India. This equipment is used in Germany for generating and distributing electricity. Specifically, in December 2023, Germany’s top imports from India were machinery used in electricity production and distribution, which were valued at €59 million.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 84483990 |
Textile machinery previously owned and used, specifically Cherry Hara draw frames, model DX-500. |
| 84314990 |
Sealed bushing for diesel machinery, model F, made of common metal, for exclusive use in. |
| 84229090 |
Brand: Marks Machinery, Model: CG_101_BMN. |
2. Organic Chemicals – $1.64 Billion
In 2023, Germany purchased $1.64 billion worth of natural chemicals from India. This was a big increase from the $61.79 million it bought in 2022. The kinds of natural chemicals Germany got from India in 2022 included sulphonamides, compounds with amine functions, ketones, quinones, and their derivatives. That year, Germany mainly bought compounds with nitrogen atoms in their rings from India.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 2935 |
Sulphonamides |
| 2922 |
Oxygen-function amino-compounds |
| 2914 |
Ketones and quinones, whether or not with other oxygen function |
3. Electrical, Electronic Equipment – $1.59 Billion
In 2023, Germany bought $1.59 billion worth of electrical and electronic equipment from India, according to UN COMTRADE data.
To import electronic items from India:
- Register your business with authorities.
- Get a Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN).
- Obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
- Get an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Certificate.
- Get permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 8517 |
Devices for talking or messaging over phone lines, including cordless phones and devices for sending messages over electrical wires or digital systems; also includes video phones. |
| 3004 |
Medicines for treating illnesses, packaged for sale in measured amounts, such as pills or patches. |
| 8703 |
Cars and other vehicles mainly for carrying people, including family cars and fast cars. |
4. Pharmaceutical Products – $1.02 Billion
In 2023, Germany purchased pharmaceutical products totaling $1.02 billion from India. India bought pharmaceutical products worth $195.94 million from Germany in 2022. As of fiscal year 2023, India imported medicinal and pharmaceutical products valued at nearly 357 billion Indian rupees.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 3003 |
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 3002, 3005, or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. |
| 3004 |
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 3002, 3005, or 3006) consisting of products mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. |
| 3006 |
Pharmaceutical goods specified in Note 4 to this Chapter. |
5. Mineral Fuels, Oils, Distillation Products – $835.29 Million
In 2023, Germany bought mineral fuels, oils, and processed products worth $835.29 million from India, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database. These products include crude oil, refined oil, natural gas, coal briquettes, electricity, coal tar oil, petroleum coke, coke, petroleum jelly, and lignite. Germany and the EU heavily depend on imported fossil fuels because domestic resources are often used up or getting them out of the ground costs too much.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 2709 |
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude |
| 2710 |
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than crude |
| 2711 |
Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons |
6. Articles of Apparel, Not Knit or Crocheted – $780.87 Million
In 2023, Germany bought non-knitted or crocheted clothes worth US$780.87 million from India, as shown by the United Nations COMTRADE database. India’s clothing industry struggles with more fabric being imported, showing dependence on foreign suppliers. Despite promising government plans like the PLI scheme, there are obstacles like factories not being fully used, problems with GST systems, and a sudden increase in fabric imports. These problems continue while clothing exports face big challenges.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 6203 |
Men’s or boys’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts (excluding swimwear) |
| 6204 |
Women’s or girls’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts (excluding swimwear) |
| 6205 |
Men’s or boys’ shirts (excluding knitted or crocheted) and underpants, briefs, nightshirts, pajamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns, and similar articles (excluding underpants and briefs) |
7. Vehicles Other Than Railway, Tramway – $732.05 Million
In 2023, Germany imported vehicles, excluding trains and trams, valued at $732.05 million from India, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on global trade. The top three countries exporting railway components are Austria, China, and India. Austria leads with 117,403 shipments, followed by China with 58,087, and India in third place with 51,273 shipments.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 8703.10 |
Motor vehicles for transport of persons |
| 8703.21 |
Motor vehicles for transport of goods (≤5 tons) |
| 8703.90 |
Other motor vehicles |
Germany bought parts for shoes from India worth $549.93 million in 2023, according to data from the United Nations COMTRADE database. Volza’s Germany Import data shows that Germany received 60.4K shipments of shoe parts, imported by 1,397 German buyers from 1,901 suppliers. Germany mainly gets shoe parts from India, China, Italy, and Vietnam, making it the world’s biggest buyer of such parts. India is the top supplier of shoe parts to Germany, sending 60,369 shipments, followed by the United States with 27,890 shipments, and Germany itself in third place with 25,539 shipments.
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 6401 |
Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or of plastics |
| 6402 |
Other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics |
| 6403 |
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather, or composition leather and uppers of leather |
9. Articles of Iron or Steel – $486.27 Million
In 2023, Germany bought $486.27 million worth of iron and steel products from India. In 2022, Germany imported $672 million in cast products made of iron or steel from India. Germany’s iron and steel industry heavily relies on imports. The country imports the main materials for its industry, such as iron ore, coking coal, steel scrap, and power. In 2022, India exported $618 million in other types of cast iron or steel products. The top countries India exported these products to were the United States ($94 million), Germany ($83.3 million), Italy ($70.5 million), the United Kingdom ($41.6 million), and Spain ($34 million).
| HSN Code |
Code Description |
| 7301 |
Sheet piling of iron or steel, whether or not drilled, punched or made from assembled elements; welded angles, shapes and sections, of iron or steel. |
| 7325 |
Other cast articles of iron or steel; such as Grinding balls and similar articles for mills, Rudders for ships or boats, Drain covers, Plates and frames for sewage water or similar system. |
| 7326 |
Other articles of iron or steel. |
10. Herbs and Foods – $388.38 Million
In 2023, Germany IMPORTED various products from India, showing a diverse range of imports. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, these imports included coffee, tea, mate, and spices valued at $191.49 million. Additionally, Germany imported edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, and melons worth $106.67 million, while animal and vegetable fats and oils, along with cleavage products, amounted to $105.99 million. Furthermore, Germany brought in tobacco and its substitutes valued at $90.92 million, and fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates amounted to $97.92 million. These imports represent a significant exchange of goods between the two countries, contributing to their economic ties and trade relations.
| Category |
HSN Code |
Value (in million USD) |
Code Explanation |
| Coffee, Tea, Mate, and Spices |
0901 |
$191.49 |
This HSN code covers coffee beans, tea leaves, mate leaves, and various spices. |
| Edible Fruits, Nuts, Peel of Citrus Fruit, and Melons |
0801 |
$106.67 |
HSN 0801 encompasses edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruits, and melons. |
| Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils, Cleavage Products |
1507 |
$105.99 |
This HSN code includes animal and vegetable fats and oils, along with their cleavage products. |
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Summary – Top 10 Products Imported from India to Germany
India is a major supplier of goods to Germany, indicating strong commercial ties between the two countries. With a noteworthy $15.49 billion in trade in 2023, the products ranged from organic chemicals and high-tech machinery to textiles and pharmaceuticals. With Germany being one of India’s main economic partners in the European Union, this commerce represents a long-standing partnership that dates back more than 500 years. Germany imports a wide range of items from India, including basic pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and advanced electrical and electronic equipment. A trading portfolio this varied demonstrates the complementary economic capabilities of both nations. Additionally, this relationship is expected to grow stronger as a quarter of German businesses go to India for research and development by 2028, demonstrating the reciprocal
FAQs on Top 10 Products Imported from India to Germany
What items Germany import from India?
Germany imports from India the following product categories: gas turnies, packaged medicaments, broadcasting equipment, food and beverage, metal and metal products, machinery, leather and leather goods, chemicals, rubber products and auto components.
What is the most exported product from India to Germany?
India-Germany In 2021, India exported $10.9B to Germany. The main products that India exported to Germany are Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($412M), Broadcasting Equipment ($352M), and Packaged Medicaments ($348M).
What does India trade with Germany?
The total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$24.8 billion during the financial year (FY) 2021–22, while it was valued at US$21.76 billion in FY 2020–21. India’s major exports to Germany include machinery and mechanical appliances, textiles, and chemicals.
Will India beat Germany in economy?
With expanding consumer market and a large industrial sector, Indian economy is set to surpass Japan and Germany by 2030, S&P Global Market Intelligence has said in its latest commentary. At present, India is ranked fifth in terms of the size of its economy at $3.7 trillion in 2023-24.
Why is India important to Germany?
Given its key role in the EU as well as the strength of our bilateral relations, Germany is one of India’s most important partners in Europe. India was also among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War.
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