Programmable controllers — essential components of modern automation and industrial control systems — are classified under HS Code 85371090. According to NBD DATA, India’s imports of these controllers recorded a strong rise throughout 2025, reflecting robust industrial automation demand across sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, and building systems.
Examples of imported products include “CWA73C9292 Electronic Controller” and “CR ECP 04 KNX Room Controller Thermostat”, which represent typical high-value programmable control modules used in automation and smart equipment systems.
During the period January–December 2025, India imported programmable controllers (HS 85371090) worth approximately USD 1.28 billion. The total number of import transactions exceeded 249,700, involving 5,195 Indian importers and 8,997 global exporters, spanning 96 purchase countries.
This impressive scale highlights India’s expanding automation ecosystem, from smart factories to electric vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure modernization. The cumulative import quantity reached 28.1 million units, equivalent to an estimated 575,883 kg, reflecting both large-scale equipment and component-level imports.
The average monthly import value during 2025 was about USD 106 million, with notable peaks in December (USD 156.2 million) and October (USD 119.6 million), indicating a year-end acceleration in demand.
Overall, India’s import curve for HS 85371090 exhibited steady growth through 2025. Import value fluctuated between USD 75 million and USD 156 million, with sustained demand from key industrial and automotive segments.

From the table above, imports began modestly in early 2025 but grew steadily toward the year-end. This upward trajectory aligns with seasonal procurement cycles of major OEMs and the post-monsoon boost in industrial activity. The December peak, exceeding USD 156 million, reflects pre-fiscal-year inventory accumulation by large manufacturers such as Siemens, Schneider, and Honeywell.
India’s import market for programmable controllers is dominated by multinational subsidiaries and automation technology companies. Below are the top five importers in 2025, ranked by import value:
These companies represent the backbone of India’s industrial automation landscape — spanning control systems, automotive electronics, robotics, and smart infrastructure.
India’s programmable controller imports originated from nearly 9,000 foreign exporters, led by companies in Germany, Japan, Singapore, China, and the United States. These suppliers provide a mix of high-precision automation systems, controllers for automotive assembly, and industrial robotics modules.
The most active foreign suppliers to India’s market include:
Siemens AG (Germany)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS (France)
Honeywell Measurex Ireland Ltd. (Ireland)
Omron Corporation (Japan)
ABB Switzerland Ltd. (Switzerland)
Delta Electronics International (Singapore)
These exporters collectively contributed a significant share of India’s programmable controller imports, underscoring the country’s integration with global manufacturing supply chains.
India imported programmable controllers from 96 countries in 2025. Germany, Japan, and China were the top three sources, together accounting for more than half of the total import value.
The dominance of European and East Asian suppliers reflects the technological concentration in automation hardware. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia (particularly Singapore and Vietnam) emerged as a critical distribution hub, re-exporting control modules for multinational brands.
China maintained a strong role in supplying mid-range programmable controllers and components used in HVAC, electronics, and machinery. Many Chinese exporters specialize in sub-assemblies and OEM modules that integrate with Western-branded systems. The cross-border trade between India and China in this HS code is characterized by cost efficiency and large batch shipments.
Programmable controllers (under HS 85371090) serve multiple industrial applications:
Automotive manufacturing: Used in assembly lines, robot arms, and safety systems.
Industrial automation: Deployed in process control, power distribution, and motion systems.
Building automation: Integrated into smart lighting, HVAC, and security systems.
Aerospace and electronics: Applied in avionics control panels and semiconductor fabrication lines.
The variety of imported product descriptions — such as “Safety Controllers FLEXI COMPACT FLX3 CPUC100S” and “Machine Power Panel Modules” — reflects India’s diversified usage base across sectors.
The data from 2025 indicate that India’s automation industry continues to mature rapidly. The convergence of domestic manufacturing policy (e.g., “Make in India”) and global technology partnerships has created robust import flows for advanced control systems.
At the company level:
Siemens Limited expanded automation deployment in infrastructure and industrial control projects.
Honeywell Automation India strengthened its role in process control and safety systems.
ABB India supported digital substations and industrial electrification projects.
Schneider Electric maintained leadership in low-voltage control systems and smart building automation.
These firms not only import advanced controllers but also re-export integrated systems to South Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
India’s imports of programmable controllers in 2025 underscore the country’s accelerating journey toward industrial digitalization. With total imports exceeding USD 1.27 billion, the segment reflects the strong linkage between automation demand, global supply chain integration, and policy-driven modernization of domestic industries.
Looking ahead to 2026, the continued rollout of smart manufacturing facilities, electric vehicle production, and AI-enabled factory controls is expected to sustain — if not accelerate — India’s demand for HS 85371090 products.
All data and rankings in this article are derived from NBD DATA based on official Indian import records for HS 85371090 during January–December 2025.
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