The government put the import surge in a broader context, pointing out that India’s imports from China span several product categories
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New Delhi, August 11: India’s imports from China of engineering goods, textiles, toys and plastics recorded a considerable increase in 2025-26, with engineering goods, one of the largest imported segment, rising nearly 19 per cent, according to data furnished by the Commerce Ministry in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.Imports of engineering goods rose to $75.82 billion in FY26, posting a 18.6 per cent growth from $63.95 billion in 2024-25. Textile imports increased 22.5 per cent to $4.46 billion from $3.64 billion, while toy imports grew 20.7 per cent to $350 million from $290 million. Imports of plastics rose at a slower pace of 5.8 per cent to $6.71 billion from $6.34 billion.The government put the import surge in a broader context, pointing out that India’s imports from China span several product categories and include raw materials, intermediate goods, capital equipment and advanced technologies.Market PressuresThe response came against concerns raised in Parliament about low-cost Chinese goods, including textiles, toys, plastics, electronics and light engineering products, potentially distorting the Indian market and putting pressure on domestic manufacturers and MSME clusters in Tamil Nadu such as Karur, Tiruppur, Coimbatore and Erode.“India imports products such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements etc. that are essential inputs for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, electronics and semiconductors,” Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in the written reply.In FY26, India’s total imports from China touched a high of $131.63 billion, accounting for 16.96 per cent of total imports, while India’s deficit with the country was at $112.16 billion, per data furnished earlier.Quality ControlIn the reply, Prasada highlighted measures to tackle possible duty evasion and misdeclaration. “Directorate of Revenue Intelligence undertakes targeted investigations and enforcement actions against such fraudulent practices.. Wherever violations are detected, appropriate action is taken under the provision of the Customs Act, 1962, including seizure of goods, initiation of investigations, recovery of duty, and prosecution, wherever warranted,” the reply reinforced.Stricter quality standards, quality control measures (such as QCOs), testing protocols, and mandatory certification to curb sub-standards imports. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies also investigates and imposes anti-dumping and countervailing duties.Published on August 11, 2026
