What it is
Metal used to make stainless steel and nickel alloys, electroplating, batteries and resistance wire.
Nickel cathode 99.8%+ (IS 2782)Nickel briquettes / pelletsFerronickel (IS 4409)Electroplating anodes
Where imports come from
Import-dependent: 53,574 t of nickel and alloys incl. scrap was imported in 2023-24; India has 189 million tonnes of nickel ore resources but the IMYB production tables show no nickel metal output.
- China — About 18% of nickel and alloys incl. scrap imports in 2023-24
- Norway — About 11%
- Japan — About 10%
- Netherlands — About 9%
- USA — About 6%
Rules before you buy or sell
- The Ministry of Mines withdrew the Quality Control Orders for aluminium, copper, primary lead, refined zinc and refined nickel on 13 November 2025, so the BIS mark is no longer compulsory for refined nickel (IS 2782:2023). The government can re-notify a QCO, so check the e-Gazette before you buy or import.
- Under ITC(HS) 2022, nickel ores (2604) and nickel waste and scrap (75030010) are 'free'; some other nickel scrap (75030090) is 'restricted' (IMYB 2024).
- Check the current import and export policy for your exact 8-digit HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) schedules.
Storage and handling
Store dry in sealed drums or bags; nickel dust is a skin and lung hazard.
Businesses that use it
Nickel Alloy (Copper-Nickel / Eureka) Resistance Wire →Stainless Steel Ingots (Induction Furnace) →
Sources (3)
- Indian Minerals Yearbook 2024 (data for 2023-24), Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Mines
- MCX/MCXCCL circular 588/2025 (17 Nov 2025) attaching Ministry of Mines orders of 13 Nov 2025 withdrawing QCOs for aluminium, copper, primary lead, refined zinc and refined nickel (copy hosted by Kotak Securities) · 2025
- DGFT: ITC(HS) import and export policy schedules (HS code look-up) · 2026