India imports lithium from which country? Top suppliers

India lithium import data statistics: Q1 2026 overview

• India imports lithium from which country? China leads in Q1 2026 at US$1.07 billion (84.32%), with Vietnam (US$37.55 million, 2.97%) and Japan (US$27.13 million, 2.15%) a distant second and third, powered by TradeInt's HS 850760 dataset.
• Lithium-ion electric accumulators (HS 850760) dominate India's lithium-related imports at US$987.58 million (78.10%), confirming that the bulk of the import of lithium batteries in India arrives as finished cells and packs rather than raw lithium compounds.
• India is 100% import-dependent for lithium, per IEEFA, making supply concentration a structural risk for lithium importers in India as lithium-ion battery import demand scales with EV adoption and grid-storage deployment.

India imports the most lithium from which countries?

India mainly imports lithium from China at US$1.07 billion (84.32% share), with Vietnam (US$37.55 million) and Japan (US$27.13 million) a distant second and third in Q1 2026, from TradeInt's India lithium records. Then, South Korea, the United States, Indonesia, Germany, Singapore, the UAE, and France round out the top 10 lithium partners to India.

Where does India import lithium from?

1. China, US$1.07 billion (84.32%). The dominant source is supplying finished lithium-ion battery cells and packs for EVs and electronics.
2. Vietnam, US$37.55 million (2.97%). A rising regional partner exporting battery components and cost-effective lithium battery alternatives.
3. Japan, US$27.13 million (2.15%). A premium technology source supplying high-quality lithium cells and specialised battery chemicals.
4. South Korea, US$26.33 million (2.08%). A key partner delivering advanced lithium-ion battery packs for the automotive and electronic sectors.
5. United States, US$10.27 million (0.81%). A technical trade ally supplying specialised lithium compounds and advanced energy storage systems.

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Does India import 100% lithium?

According to IEEFA, India imports 100% lithium, cobalt, and nickel, with the energy sector accounting for over 90% of lithium-ion battery demand. The same analysis notes critical mineral demand is expected to more than double by 2030 as India targets 500 GW of non-fossil capacity.

Top 1: China at US$1.07 billion - India's largest lithium supplier

From India-China trade analysis on TradeInt, China supplied US$1.07 billion of lithium and battery products to India in Q1 2026, overwhelmingly as finished lithium-ion accumulators. The top imports are lithium-ion electric accumulators (HS 850760), led at US$942.54 million (87.82%), followed by battery parts at US$63.99 million (5.96%) and lead-acid accumulators at US$11.44 million (1.07%).

What type of lithium does India import from China?

• HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$942.54 million (87.82%). Finished cells and packs powering electronic devices and electric vehicles.
• HS 850790 - Battery component parts: US$63.99 million (5.96%). Battery plates, separator grids, and accumulator sub-components.
• HS 850720 - Lead-acid accumulators: US$11.44 million (1.07%). Backup industrial power systems and solar storage units.
• HS 850610 - Manganese dioxide cells: US$7.70 million (0.72%). Primary cells and non-rechargeable consumer batteries.
• HS 283620 - Sodium carbonate: US$5.64 million (0.53%). Soda ash is used as a key chemical compound.

Among top partners, China plays a systemically important role across India's lithium, cobalt, and graphite value chains, controlling around 90% of global anode manufacturing capacity and roughly 80% of synthetic graphite supply, IEEFA's battery supply chain analysis, which reinforces why diversification has become a national priority.

Furthermore, China has tightened its hold over India's key imports for new-age production, including battery materials, raising the urgency of India's diversification push as a single origin dominates the lithium-ion battery import landscape in India.

Why China dominates India's lithium imports?

• Finished-cell advantage: Nearly 88% of China's lithium lane is finished lithium-ion cells and packs, where Chinese gigafactory scale keeps unit costs below any alternative origin in the lithium battery import India market.
• Full-chain control: China's grip extends from anode manufacturing to synthetic graphite, meaning even non-Chinese cells often depend on Chinese upstream inputs.
• EV demand pull: India's accelerating EV and grid-storage rollout draws cells from the nearest high-volume supplier, reinforcing the China lane in the near term.

Top 2: Vietnam at US$37.55 million

As indicated by TradeInt's global lithium trade data, Vietnam supplied US$37.55 million of lithium and battery products to India in Q1 2026. The top imports are battery parts (HS 850790) at US$16.31 million (43.43%). Lead-acid accumulators added US$7.76 million (20.67%) and lithium-ion accumulators US$5.20 million (13.84%).

What type of lithium does India import from Vietnam?

1. HS 850790 - Battery component parts: US$16.31 million (43.43%). Battery plates and separator grids for downstream assembly in India.
2. HS 850720 - Lead-acid accumulators: US$7.76 million (20.67%). Backup industrial power and solar storage units.
3. HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$5.20 million (13.84%). Finished cells for electronics and EVs.
4. HS 850610 - Manganese dioxide cells: US$3.21 million (8.55%). Primary cells and non-rechargeable consumer batteries.
5. HS 283650 - Calcium carbonate: US$2.51 million (6.68%). Used in industrial processing and as filler material.

In recent years, Vietnam and India are expanding trade cooperation into a new growth phase, with both sides targeting deeper supply chain integration across electronics and battery components.

Unlike China's finished-cell dominance, Vietnam's lane to India leans toward battery components and parts rather than complete lithium-ion cells. This positions Vietnam as a component supplier feeding India's domestic battery assembly base, complementing rather than directly competing with Chinese finished-cell volumes.

Where Vietnam stands in India's lithium import market:

• Component-led, not cell-led: Over 43% of Vietnam's lanes are battery parts and plates, supporting Indian assembly rather than importing finished packs.
• Regional supply-chain shift: As global electronics manufacturing diversifies into Vietnam, India taps it as a nearby alternative to Chinese components.
• Growth-phase momentum: Expanding India-Vietnam trade cooperation could lift this lane further through 2026.

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Top 3: Japan at US$27.13 million

In Q1 2026, TradeInt's India import data show that the country imports from Japan US$27.13 million worth of lithium and battery products. For lithium import categories, nickel-metal hydride accumulators (HS 850750) dominate at US$12.26 million (45.19%), then lithium-ion accumulators followed at US$7.01 million (25.83%) and zirconium/germanium oxides at US$2.81 million (10.38%).

What type of lithium India imports from Japan?

1. HS 850750 - Nickel-metal hydride accumulators: US$12.26 million (45.19%). Rechargeable consumer-power cells, a Japanese specialty segment.
2. HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$7.01 million (25.83%). High-quality finished cells for electronics and EVs.
3. HS 282560 - Zirconium/germanium oxides: US$2.81 million (10.38%). Specialised advanced ceramics manufacturing inputs.
4. HS 850790 - Battery component parts: US$1.41 million (5.19%). Battery plates and separator grids.
5. HS 282580 - Antimony oxides: US$801,511 (2.95%). Industrial flame retardants and glass clarifying agents.

According to Reuters, Japan held talks with India in March 2026 to explore rare earths and critical mineral cooperation, part of a broader effort by both nations to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Japan's lithium lane to India stands out for its premium and specialised mix. Rather than competing on finished lithium-ion cell volume, Japan supplies nickel-metal hydride accumulators and advanced ceramic inputs, positioning it as a high-value technology source within India's diversification strategy.

Key drivers behind Japan's export lithium to India:

• NiMH specialty: Nearly half of Japan's lane is nickel-metal hydride cells, a segment few other origins lead in.
• Advanced materials: Zirconium and germanium oxides point to Japan's role in high-spec ceramics and battery chemistry, not just cells.
• Diversification partner: The March 2026 critical-minerals talks frame Japan as a strategic non-China supply ally for India.

Top 4: South Korea at US$26.33 million

From India-South Korea trade activity analysis, India imports US$26.33 million value of lithium and battery products from South Korea in Q1 2026, focusing mainly on lithium-ion accumulators (HS 850760) at US$18.44 million (70.04%). Potassium carbonates added US$2.56 million (9.74%) and lithium primary cells US$2.27 million (8.64%)

What type of lithium does India import from South Korea?

1. HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$18.44 million (70.04%). Advanced finished cells and packs for automotive and electronics.
2. HS 283640 - Potassium carbonates: US$2.56 million (9.74%). Specialised chemical processing and glassmaking inputs.
3. HS 850650 - Lithium primary cells: US$2.27 million (8.64%). High-energy non-rechargeable cells for medical and industrial use.
4. HS 282520 - Lithium oxide and hydroxide: US$875,125 (3.32%). Battery-grade lithium compound feedstock.
5. HS 282510 - Hydrazine/hydroxylamine salts: US$805,517 (3.06%). Inorganic salts for industrial chemical synthesis.

India lithium-ion accumulators market continued expanding through 2026 on rising EV and storage demand, with South Korean battery majors among the advanced-pack suppliers serving Indian automotive buyers.

South Korea's lane is the most lithium-ion-concentrated among India's non-China origins, with finished cells making up over 70% of the flow. Crucially, South Korea also supplies battery-grade lithium oxide and hydroxide, the upstream compounds that feed cell chemistry, giving India a single origin spanning both finished packs and raw inputs.

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Top 5: United States at US$10.27 million

The United States supplied US$10.27 million of lithium and related products to India in Q1 2026, led by molybdenum oxides (HS 282570) at US$4.31 million (41.91%). Sodium carbonate followed at US$1.96 million (19.05%) and other metal oxides at US$593,985 (5.78%), from TradeInt's records.

What type of lithium does India import from the United States?

1. HS 282570 - Molybdenum oxides and hydroxides: US$4.31 million (41.91%). Catalysts and metallurgical alloying elements.
2. HS 283620 - Sodium carbonate: US$1.96 million (19.05%). Soda ash as a key chemical compound agent.
3. HS 282590 - Other metal oxides/peroxides: US$593,985 (5.78%). Specialised industrial chemistry applications.
4. HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$460,611 (4.48%). Finished cells for electronics and EVs.
5. HS 282739 - Other metallic chlorides: US$428,585 (4.17%). Reactive chemical agents and synthesis intermediates.

The US lane to India is the most chemistry-led of the top origins, weighted toward molybdenum oxides, sodium carbonate, and specialty metal oxides rather than finished cells. This reflects the US role as a supplier of industrial chemical inputs and catalysts rather than a volume source of lithium-ion battery packs.

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Which type of lithium does India import the most?

India imports the most lithium-ion electric accumulators (HS 850760), valued at US$987.58 million in Q1 2026, from TradeInt's HS 8507 import data. Battery parts (HS 850790) follow at US$91.16 million and lead-acid accumulators (HS 850720) at US$25.34 million.

Sodium carbonate, specialty metal oxides, and nickel-metal hydride accumulators fill the remaining share, confirming that finished cells dominate over raw lithium compounds in India's lithium-ion battery import flows.

Top imported lithium types by India in 2026:

1. HS 850760 - Lithium-ion accumulators: US$987.58 million (78.10%). Finished cells and packs for EVs, electronics, and storage.
2. HS 850790 - Battery component parts: US$91.16 million (7.21%). Battery plates and separator grids for assembly.
3. HS 850720 - Lead-acid accumulators: US$25.34 million (2.00%). Backup industrial power and solar storage.
4. HS 283620 - Sodium carbonate: US$19.38 million (1.53%). Soda ash as a chemical compound.
5. HS 282590 - Other metal oxides/peroxides: US$17.66 million (1.40%). Specialised industrial chemistry inputs.

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Conclusion

India imports lithium from which country?

India mainly imports lithium from China at US$1.07 billion (84.32%), with Vietnam (US$37.55 million) and Japan (US$27.13 million) far behind in Q1 2026, based on TradeInt's HS 8507 dataset. Lithium-ion accumulators dominate imports at 78.10%, confirming India sources finished cells rather than raw lithium.

With 100% import dependency and demand set to more than double by 2030, supply concentration remains the defining structural challenge.

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Frequently asked questions

Where does India import lithium from?

India imports lithium from China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and the United States in the top five, followed by Indonesia, Germany, Singapore, the UAE, and France, based on TradeInt's Q1 2026 India import data.

Is India 100% import dependent for lithium?

Yes. According to IEEFA, India is 100% import-dependent for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, with no commercially viable domestic lithium reserves. Demand is expected to more than double by 2030 as India scales EV adoption and renewable energy storage.

Where does India get lithium from?

India gets lithium mainly as finished lithium-ion accumulators rather than raw lithium compounds, with China supplying the majority. Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and the US provide battery components and specialised compounds, while Indonesia, Germany, Singapore, the UAE, and France round out the top 10, from TradeInt's Q1 2026 dataset.

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