---
title: "HS 72 Iron and steel: India's trade and top markets · SSL"
description: "India's 2024 trade in HS 72: exports USD 10.2 B, imports USD 17.4 B. Top-10 markets and suppliers from UN Comtrade, plus the certificates usually needed."
url: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/72/
canonical: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/72/
updated: 2026-11-11
lang: en-IN
publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited
---

HS chapter 72

# Iron and steel

Iron and steel. India sold USD 10.2 B of it abroad in 2024 and bought USD 17.4 B. It is a top-five export to 28 countries in our data.

**USD 10.2 B** India's exports, 2024 · 2.3% of all exports

**USD 17.4 B** India's imports, 2024 · 2.5% of all imports

**Net importer** balance USD 7.2 B

Exports 37% Imports 63%

## Top 10 markets for India's exports

1. #1 [Italy](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/italy/) **USD 1.5 B** 14%
2. #2 [Nepal](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/nepal/) **USD 700.6 M** 7%
3. #3 [United Arab Emirates](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-arab-emirates/) **USD 683.8 M** 7%
4. #4 [Belgium](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/belgium/) **USD 678.9 M** 7%
5. #5 [United Kingdom](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-kingdom/) **USD 523.9 M** 5%
6. #6 [Spain](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/spain/) **USD 495.5 M** 5%
7. #7 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 488.3 M** 5%
8. #8 [South Korea](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/south-korea/) **USD 417.3 M** 4%
9. #9 [Netherlands](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/netherlands/) **USD 329.7 M** 3%
10. #10 [Türkiye](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/turkiye/) **USD 301.8 M** 3%

## Top 10 suppliers to India

1. #1 [China](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/china/) **USD 3 B** 17%
2. #2 [South Korea](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/south-korea/) **USD 2.6 B** 15%
3. #3 [Japan](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/japan/) **USD 1.9 B** 11%
4. #4 [Indonesia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/indonesia/) **USD 1.9 B** 11%
5. #5 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 855.6 M** 5%
6. #6 [Vietnam](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/vietnam/) **USD 849.7 M** 5%
7. #7 [United Kingdom](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-kingdom/) **USD 507.4 M** 3%
8. #8 [Russia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/russia/) **USD 423.1 M** 2%
9. #9 [Germany](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/germany/) **USD 392.8 M** 2%
10. #10 [Brazil](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/brazil/) **USD 389.2 M** 2%

Source: UN Comtrade public API, reporter India (699), 2024, HS 2022 chapter 72; exports FOB, imports CIF · retrieved 29 Sep 2026.

## Certificates and permits usually involved

Metals: BIS quality control orders cover many steel and aluminium imports into India, and steel imports are registered on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS).

General guidance, verify per product with the regulator and your customs broker. See the [documents checklist](https://safeandsecure.in/global/guides/documents-checklist/).

SSL's fleet carries this cargo by road to and from India's ports, airports and land borders; our desk arranges the sea or air leg. [Ask our desk →](https://safeandsecure.in/ship/quote/?service=export)

## HS 72: questions

**How much HS 72 does India export?**

India exported USD 10.2 B of HS chapter 72 (iron and steel) in 2024, 2.3% of India's exports. The largest market was Italy at USD 1.5 B. Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024.

**Where does India buy HS 72 from?**

India imported USD 17.4 B of chapter 72 in 2024, most of it from China (USD 3 B). Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024, imports CIF.

**What certificates does HS 72 usually need?**

Metals: BIS quality control orders cover many steel and aluminium imports into India, and steel imports are registered on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS). This is general guidance; verify the exact product line with the regulator and your customs broker.

---

Source: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/72/ (the HTML page is the record; this markdown twin was generated from it on 2026-11-11). Publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited, https://safeandsecure.in/. Figures and their periods: https://safeandsecure.in/facts/