Shipping scrap from the US to India: where to start
Shipping scrap from the United States to India is one of the busiest scrap routes in the world, and it is also one of the better documented. That helps, because most of the confusion around exporting scrap comes from not knowing which of the many possible requirements apply to your cargo. The answer, for ordinary ferrous and non-ferrous scrap on this route, is shorter than most people expect, provided you do the preparation early.
This covers general metal scrap only. Rules and tariff positions change, so confirm current requirements before you commit to a shipment.
Why this route exists
The direction of travel follows supply and demand. India has been adding electric arc furnace steelmaking capacity quickly, and furnaces of that type run mainly on scrap. That has made India a large and growing scrap importer rather than a net exporter. The United States, on the other hand, generates more scrap than its mills can absorb and is among the largest scrap-exporting countries in the world.
A second factor is regulatory. India's import authority treats shipments from the United States and five other origins as low risk, and exempts them, through designated ports, from a pre-shipment inspection step that applies to other origins. That exemption makes the paperwork lighter for US exporters than for many competitors, which is part of why the route is so active. To see how this fits into the wider global picture, read The World's Biggest Scrap Metal Markets for where exported scrap ends up and why.
On the US side: three things to get right
Confirm the cargo is not regulated as hazardous waste
Clean, unprocessed metal scrap generally qualifies for broad exclusions under US rules. The risk comes from contamination: oil residue, sealed containers, batteries or anything that could be treated as hazardous. If there is any doubt, check the US Environmental Protection Agency's export requirements under its hazardous waste rules before you load, because a shipment that is stopped at a port costs far more than a day spent on checking.
Check steel monitoring requirements
Steel products are tracked through the US Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis system, which is primarily an import-side programme. For a scrap exporter, the practical step is to confirm with a customs broker whether anything applies to your specific material and tariff classification, rather than assuming either way.
Prepare the standard export documents
A commercial invoice, a bill of lading and a certificate of origin are the baseline for any international scrap shipment. A quality or inspection certificate is often expected as well, especially for a buyer you have not traded with before. Make sure the weight, grade and description match across every document, because mismatches are a common cause of delay.
Check today's reference price before you quote a buyer in India.
Check live pricesOn the India side: what your buyer needs
An Importer-Exporter Code
Your buyer needs an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade before the import can legally be completed. Ask for it early, and treat a buyer who cannot produce one as a risk.
A pre-shipment inspection certificate, or an exemption
India generally requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for metal scrap imports. India exempts scrap from six origins, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the European Union, from the pre-shipment inspection certificate when it clears through one of ten designated ports: Chennai, Tuticorin, Kandla, JNPT, Mumbai, Krishnapatnam, Mundra, Kattupalli, Hazira and Kamarajar. The supplier must certify that the cargo contains no radioactive material or explosives, radiation and explosives scans still apply on arrival, and the exemption does not cover cargo trans-shipped through other countries. India has reportedly been considering relaxing the inspection regime, so confirm the position on the date you ship.
Material that meets India's import conditions
The shipment must not contain hazardous, toxic or radioactive material, nor any arms, ammunition or explosive residue. This is checked on arrival, so it has to be right before the cargo leaves, not corrected afterwards.
The documents that travel with a shipment
| Document | What it does | Who usually prepares it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | States the seller, buyer, material, quantity and value | Exporter |
| Packing list | Lists what is in each container and its weight | Exporter |
| Bill of lading | Receipt for goods and contract of carriage with the shipping line | Shipping line, issued to the exporter |
| Certificate of origin | States the country where the material originates, and supports the inspection exemption | Exporter, through a chamber or an authorised body |
| Quality or inspection certificate | Independent confirmation of grade and quantity | Third-party inspector, at the buyer's or seller's request |
| Buyer's IEC | Authorises the Indian importer to import | Buyer |
A broker who handles metal scrap regularly can usually check this set in an afternoon, and it costs far less than a delay. For a first export, or a mixed load, a specialist broker is cheap insurance.
Price terms: who pays for what
Two shipping terms come up in nearly every scrap deal. Under FOB, free on board, your responsibility ends when the goods are loaded on the vessel at the US port, and the buyer pays for freight and insurance from there. Under CIF, cost, insurance and freight, you also pay for freight and insurance to the Indian port. A CIF price is higher than an FOB price for the same material because it includes those costs, so make sure any quote you compare uses the same term.
Payment is the other half of the deal. With a new buyer on another continent, you need to know the money is secured before the cargo leaves. Our glossary entries on escrow, FOB and CIF explain the vocabulary, and the section on payment below covers how ScrapTrade fits in.
Tariffs and policy: confirm close to your ship date
Trade policy on metals has moved quickly in 2026, and rules that apply to finished steel and aluminium products do not necessarily apply to raw scrap in the same way. Confirm the current tariff position for your specific material and tariff code shortly before you ship, and do not rely on an older guide, including this one. For an example of how headlines can overstate the effect on scrap, see Copper Tariffs and Scrap Explained, which separates copper policy that is actually in force from copper policy that is only proposed.
Electronic waste is a separate track
"Can I add some circuit boards and e-waste to the load?"
No. Electronic scrap is governed by stricter international rules under the Basel Convention, which require the importing country's written agreement before a shipment can leave. Treat e-waste as a separate category with its own compliance process, and keep it out of a general metal scrap container.
Finding a buyer and getting paid safely
The paperwork is only half the problem. The other half is finding a verified buyer in India and being confident the payment will clear on a deal you cannot oversee in person. On ScrapTrade, buyers go through KYC verification, your listing can carry a GPS-verified video of the material, and a deposit is held in escrow until the buyer confirms the material matches the listing. That gives both sides a record and a safeguard on a relationship that is new.
To be clear about the limits: ScrapTrade does not handle customs, export licensing or freight, and how the balance of a large shipment is settled is agreed between buyer and seller, often through bank instruments such as a letter of credit. The platform's role is the verified marketplace layer, as described in trading scrap internationally and the global scrap marketplace. If you are unsure whether to sell at a fixed price or let buyers bid, Fixed Price vs Auction vs Wanted Board helps you choose, and The Real Cost of Sourcing Scrap Abroad explains why verifying a buyer online is usually cheaper than flying out to meet them.
Ready to reach verified buyers in India and beyond?
List your material freeFrequently asked questions
Why does scrap flow from the US to India and not the other way round?
India's electric arc furnace steelmaking capacity has been expanding quickly, making it a large and growing consumer of scrap, while the US is one of the world's largest scrap exporters. The trade follows where supply and demand actually are.
Do I need a customs broker?
It is not strictly required for every shipment, but for a first export or a complex material mix, a broker who knows metal scrap will catch easy-to-miss requirements, particularly around documents and current tariff status.
Does e-waste follow the same rules?
No. Electronic scrap is governed by stricter Basel Convention requirements, including the importing country's written agreement before shipment, on top of the general scrap rules. Keep it on a separate compliance track.
Are there tariffs on the scrap itself?
Metals tariff policy has moved quickly in 2026, and rules for finished steel and aluminium products do not necessarily apply to raw scrap in the same way. Confirm the current status for your material and tariff code close to your ship date.
How do I find a buyer in India?
Create a listing that states your grade and quantity, and Indian buyers who have passed KYC checks can bid or make offers. The deposit sits in escrow until delivery is confirmed, while permits, customs and shipping are still for you and the buyer to arrange.
Ready to list your material?
Reach verified buyers in India and beyond, with escrow protecting every deal.
Related reading: Export Scrap Metal: Canada to India · The World's Biggest Scrap Metal Markets · Copper Tariffs and Scrap Explained · The Real Cost of Sourcing Scrap Abroad