Exporting to United States from India — trade, rules, buyers

What India sells there

Electrical and electronic goods · HS 8525,682.64 US$ million
Medicines and pharmaceuticals · HS 308,665.13 US$ million
Machinery and mechanical appliances · HS 847,190.2 US$ million
Gems and jewellery (diamonds, gold and silver articles) · HS 715,116.68 US$ million
Petroleum products and mineral fuels · HS 273,522.24 US$ million

Trade agreement

India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (first tranche) →No trade agreement in force. The first tranche of an India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement was reported finalised and under legal review in October 2026; US tariffs on Indian goods follow US executive orders until then.

Their import rules

Food: register the factory with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and file Prior Notice before each food shipment arrives; the US importer must follow the FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Programme.
Plants, seeds, fruit and wood packaging: USDA APHIS import conditions and permits apply; wooden pallets must be ISPM-15 treated.
Consumer goods (toys, children's products): US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rules and certificates apply.
Customs entry is handled by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through a licensed customs broker; country-of-origin marking is required.
Check new SPS (food, plant, animal health) and TBT (product standards) notices for this market on India Trade Portal before you ship.

How to find buyers

Register on the Department of Commerce Trade Connect e-platform (trade.gov.in) to get trade enquiries and reach the Indian mission's commerce wing.
Join your Export Promotion Council (EPC) and apply for its buyer–seller meets and India pavilions at fairs in this country; MAI scheme support may cover part of the cost.
Write to the commerce wing of the Indian embassy or high commission with your product, HS code and catalogue; ask for importer lists and trade enquiries.
Meet specialty food buyers at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

Export product guides

Spices (chilli, turmeric, cumin, pepper, cardamom) →Tea →Marine products (frozen shrimp and fish) →Dehydrated and processed vegetables (onion flakes, garlic powder) →Processed fruits, pulp and juices →Biscuits, bakery and cereal preparations →Natural honey →Makhana (fox nut) →Millets (bajra, jowar, ragi and others) →Readymade garments (cotton) →Home textiles (bed, bath, kitchen and table linen) →Handmade carpets, rugs and durries →Handicrafts (wood, metal and art ware) →Coir and coir products (pith, mats, geotextiles) →Jute products (bags, hessian, yarn) →Imitation (fashion) jewellery →Gold and silver jewellery →Leather footwear →Leather goods (bags, wallets, belts) →Pharmaceutical formulations (tablets, capsules, injectables) →AYUSH and herbal products →Organic chemicals and intermediates →Dyes and pigments →Essential oils (mint, citronella, sandalwood and others) →Cosmetics and toiletries →Agarbatti (incense sticks) →Plastic articles (moulded and extruded goods) →Rubber products (moulded parts, hoses, belts) →Paper, paperboard and packaging →Iron and steel products (fasteners, castings, fabricated items) →Auto components →Hand tools and cutting tools →Pumps (water, submersible and industrial) →Electrical machinery: wires, cables and transformers →Medical and surgical instruments and devices →Ceramic and vitrified tiles →Granite, marble and natural stone →Glass and glassware →Furniture (wood, metal and cane) →Sports goods (cricket, football, fitness) →Toys →

Sources (6)