Plastics & Rubber Exports from India

What Does the Plastics and Rubber Export Industry Look Like?

India's plastics and rubber sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the country's manufacturing economy. With total exports exceeding USD 10.8 billion annually, the industry spans a wide range of products from commodity polymers to high-precision engineered components. India ranks among the top 10 global exporters of plastics and is a major supplier of rubber products, particularly tyres and industrial rubber goods.

Key Subsectors

• Plastic raw materials. PE, PP, PVC, PET resins, masterbatches, compounds
• Packaging. Flexible films, rigid containers, BOPP, laminated pouches, woven sacks
• Pipes & fittings. HDPE, PVC, CPVC pipes, drip irrigation systems
• Auto parts in plastic. Bumpers, dashboards, fuel tanks, interior trims
• Rubber tyres. PCR, TBR, two-wheeler, OTR tyres
• Rubber products. Hoses, conveyor belts, seals, gaskets, sheets
• Plastic films. Stretch, shrink, agricultural mulch, greenhouse films

Major Export Hubs

HS Code Chapters 39-40

Plastics are classified under HS Chapter 39 and rubber under HS Chapter 40 . Correct classification is critical. It determines the applicable customs duty in the destination country, eligibility for FTA preferential rates, RoDTEP percentages, and whether the product is subject to anti-dumping duties.

Chapter 39. Plastics & Articles Thereof

Chapter 40. Rubber & Articles Thereof

Key Destination Markets

Indian plastics and rubber exports reach over 200 countries. The top destinations by value represent distinct compliance requirements, tariff regimes, and buyer expectations.

REACH & RoHS Compliance

Any plastic or rubber product exported to the European Union must comply with REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and, where applicable, the RoHS Directive. These regulations directly affect formulation choices, additive selection, and documentation.

REACH Requirements for Plastics

• SVHC screening. Products must not contain Substances of Very High Concern above 0.1% w/w. The Candidate List (230+ substances) is updated twice a year
• Phthalate restrictions. DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP restricted under Annex XVII Entry 51 at 0.1% in plasticised material. Affects PVC, flexible tubing, soft plastic toys
• Only Representative (OR). Required if exporting substances/mixtures above 1 tonne/year to the EU
• SCIP database. Articles containing SVHCs above 0.1% must be notified to ECHA's SCIP database by the EU importer

RoHS for Plastic Components

The RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) restricts lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, PBDEs, and four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) in electrical and electronic equipment. Plastic components used in electronics (housings, connectors, cable insulation) must meet RoHS thresholds. Cadmium is limited to 0.01% and all other restricted substances to 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials.

Food-Contact Regulations

Plastic packaging and containers intended for food contact face the most stringent regulatory requirements in export markets. Non-compliance can result in border rejections, RASFF notifications (EU), and import alerts (US FDA).

EU. Regulation 10/2011 (FCMs)

• Overall Migration Limit (OML). Maximum 10 mg/dm² of total migration into food or food simulant
• Specific Migration Limits (SML). Per-substance limits (e.g., BPA 0.05 mg/kg, formaldehyde 15 mg/kg)
• Union List. Only monomers, additives, and aids on the positive list (Annex I) may be used
• Declaration of Compliance (DoC). Mandatory at each supply chain stage

US. FDA 21 CFR

The US FDA regulates food-contact substances under 21 CFR Parts 174-186. Substances not covered by existing regulations require a Food Contact Notification (FCN) before the product can be marketed. Key requirements include compliance with extractive limits using appropriate food simulants (water, 8% ethanol, 50% ethanol, food oil) at specified time-temperature conditions.

Recycled Content & Sustainability

Sustainability regulations are reshaping the global plastics trade. Indian exporters must prepare for mandatory recycled content targets, design-for-recyclability requirements, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations in destination markets.

EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

• Recycled content targets. Contact-sensitive: 10% by 2030, 35% by 2040. Non-contact-sensitive: 35% by 2030, 65% by 2040
• Design for recyclability. All packaging recyclable by 2030, recycled at scale by 2035. Mono-material designs preferred
• Labelling. Mandatory material identification and sorting instructions for consumers

Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU)

The EU has banned specific single-use plastic items including cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and expanded polystyrene food containers. Indian exporters of these product categories must pivot to compliant alternatives or exit these product lines for the EU market.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EU EPR schemes require producers (including importers) to finance the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging waste. Indian exporters selling branded packaging into the EU should factor EPR fees (typically EUR 0.10-0.80 per kg depending on material and country) into their pricing. In India, the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 (amended 2024) also mandate EPR registration for producers, importers, and brand owners.

Anti-Dumping Exposure

Several Indian plastics products face anti-dumping duties (ADD) or countervailing duties (CVD) in key export markets. Exporters must monitor trade remedy investigations and factor potential duties into pricing and market strategy.

Quality Standards & Testing

International buyers expect compliance with recognised quality management systems and product-specific standards. Testing capabilities are a key differentiator for Indian plastics and rubber exporters.

Management Systems

• ISO 9001:2015. Quality management; baseline for international buyers
• ISO 14001:2015. Environmental management; increasingly requested for sustainability
• IATF 16949. Automotive quality; mandatory for plastic auto component exporters
• ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000. Food safety; required for food-contact packaging exporters

Product-Specific Standards

Key Tests for Plastics & Rubber

• Tensile strength. ASTM D638 / ISO 527; resistance to pulling forces
• Impact strength. ASTM D256 (Izod) / ISO 179 (Charpy); resistance to sudden impact
• Melt Flow Index (MFI). ASTM D1238 / ISO 1133; polymer flow characteristics
• Hardness. Shore A/D (ASTM D2240) for rubber; Rockwell (ASTM D785) for rigid plastics
• Ageing & weathering. ASTM G154 (UV), ASTM D573 (heat ageing); critical for outdoor use

PLEXCONCIL Membership

The Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL) , established by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is the apex trade body for Indian plastics exporters. Membership is essential for accessing export incentives and participating in government-supported trade promotion activities.

Key Benefits

• RCMC issuance. Required for RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation, and other DGFT schemes
• International exhibitions. Subsidised participation in Plastindia, K-Show, Chinaplas, Arabplast, and buyer-seller meets
• Market intelligence. Country-specific reports, trade statistics, trend analysis
• Trade dispute assistance. Support during anti-dumping investigations and trade remedy cases
• Policy representation. Voice in FTP formulation, GST issues, and bilateral negotiations

Tyre Exports

India is among the world's largest tyre manufacturers, with companies like Apollo Tyres, MRF, CEAT, and JK Tyre exporting to over 100 countries. Tyre exports require compliance with destination-specific safety and labelling standards.

Market-Wise Standards

EU Tyre Label

Since May 2021, all tyres sold in the EU must carry the EU tyre label showing three performance ratings: fuel efficiency (rolling resistance, A-E scale), wet grip (A-E scale), and external rolling noise (in decibels with class indicator). Additionally, winter tyres and ice tyres must display the relevant pictograms. Indian exporters must test and rate their tyres at accredited laboratories before shipping to the EU.

TRPPC. Tyre & Rubber Products Promotion Council

The Tyre, Rubber & Allied Products Promotion Council (TRPPC) is the EPC for rubber product exports. Like PLEXCONCIL for plastics, TRPPC issues RCMCs, organises trade delegations, and provides market access support for rubber exporters.

FTA Benefits

India's network of Free Trade Agreements and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements offers significant tariff advantages for plastics and rubber exporters. However, benefits are only available with proper Certificate of Origin documentation and compliance with rules of origin.

Export Incentives

Indian plastics and rubber exporters can avail several government incentive schemes to improve cost competitiveness. Proper documentation and timely claims are essential to maximise benefits.

RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products)

RoDTEP refunds embedded central, state, and local duties and taxes that are not rebated under other schemes. Rates for Chapter 39 products range from 0.5% to 4.3% of FOB value, and Chapter 40 products from 0.5% to 2.5% . Claims are filed electronically via ICEGATE with the shipping bill.

Duty Drawback

Duty Drawback refunds customs duty and excise duty paid on imported or domestically procured inputs used in export products. All Industry Rates (AIR) are specified in the annual Drawback Schedule. For plastics, rates typically range from 1-3% of FOB value. Brand rate claims are available for exporters whose actual incidence exceeds the AIR.

Advance Authorisation

Advance Authorisation allows duty-free import of inputs (polymers, rubber, additives, chemicals) that are physically incorporated in export products. This is particularly valuable for plastics exporters who import engineering-grade polymers (PA, POM, PC, PBT) or speciality rubber (silicone, FKM) not manufactured domestically. Obligations must be fulfilled within 18 months (extendable to 36 months).

EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods)

The EPCG scheme allows import of capital goods (moulds, dies, extrusion lines, injection moulding machines, tyre building machines) at zero customs duty, subject to an export obligation of 6 times the duty saved over 6 years. This significantly reduces the capex burden for capacity expansion.

Environmental Compliance

Indian plastics manufacturers face environmental compliance requirements both domestically and in export markets. Proactive compliance can become a competitive advantage as global buyers increasingly prioritise sustainability.

Domestic: Plastic Waste Management Rules

• EPR registration. Mandatory CPCB registration for producers, importers, and brand owners of plastic packaging
• EPR targets. Category-wise collection, recycling, and disposal targets with annual increases
• Minimum thickness. Carry bags must be minimum 120 microns (since December 2022)
• Banned items. Plates, cups, straws, stirrers, ear buds with plastic sticks banned since July 2022

Export Markets: Carbon & Sustainability Reporting

While plastics are not currently covered under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), exporters should prepare for potential expansion. Many EU buyers already require carbon footprint data for Scope 3 emissions reporting. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for plastic products is increasingly requested in procurement tenders.

Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your plastics or rubber export shipment is compliant across all key areas.

• IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) active and linked to current bank account
• RCMC from PLEXCONCIL (plastics) or TRPPC (rubber) valid and not expired
• Correct 8-digit HS code verified against destination country tariff schedule
• FTA eligibility confirmed and Certificate of Origin applied for (if applicable)
• REACH compliance verified. SVHC screening, phthalate testing, SCIP notification
• RoHS compliance certificate obtained for electronic-application plastic parts
• Food-contact testing completed (EU 10/2011 migration or FDA 21 CFR extractives) if applicable
• Anti-dumping duty status checked for the specific product-destination combination
• Product testing reports (tensile, impact, MFI, hardness) current and matching buyer specs
• Quality management system certification (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 / FSSC 22000) valid
• RoDTEP or Duty Drawback declaration included in shipping bill
• Advance Authorisation obligation tracking updated (if using AA for input imports)
• Recycled content certification obtained (if EU buyer requires PPWR compliance)
• EPR registration current with CPCB (domestic requirement for plastic packaging producers)
• Tyre-specific certifications obtained (ECE R30/R54, DOT, EU tyre label) if exporting tyres
• Export documentation complete. Commercial invoice, packing list, BL/AWB, insurance, phytosanitary certificate (for natural rubber)
• EDPMS (Export Data Processing & Monitoring System) entry accurate for RBI/FEMA compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Update history

• 2026-08-12 First published.