In 2016, India’s growing industrial base leaned heavily on electric motors—key components powering everything from manufacturing lines to consumer appliances. Understanding the flow of these imports, especially in the context of evolving tariff policies, became essential for policymakers seeking to balance domestic industry support with supply chain efficiency. ISIC 2710, the classification for manufacture of electric motors, provides a focused lens to dissect these movements.
The first step is to gather comprehensive customs tariff data relevant to electric motors. India’s customs records, often detailed by Harmonized System (HS) codes aligned with ISIC 2710 products, reveal volumes, values, and origins of imports. Analysts collect monthly or annual import figures, capturing both quantities and declared customs duties, allowing assessment of how tariff rates influence trade flows.
Parallel to this, firm-level import records provide granularity, identifying which companies are responsible for bringing motors into the country. These records, often maintained by customs authorities or trade ministries, include importer identity, shipment values, and product specifications. Merging this data with ISIC 2710 registrations—tracking domestic manufacturers and importers—enables a detailed picture of market actors, import concentration, and possible substitution effects.
Merging customs tariff data with firm-level imports allows analysts to measure tariff impact more precisely. By observing changes in import volumes and values around tariff adjustments or trade policy shifts, researchers can infer elasticity—how sensitive demand is to cost changes. For instance, if a tariff hike corresponds with a drop in imports by certain firms, this suggests substitution toward domestic products or alternative suppliers.
Further, the analysis can extend to product-level differentiation. Some electric motors—differing in power rating, application, or technology—may face different tariff treatments or exemptions. Breaking down ISIC 2710-aligned imports by these attributes helps policymakers understand where tariffs are most effective or where unintended distortions occur.
Of course, this work faces challenges. Customs data sometimes lacks perfect alignment with ISIC codes, requiring careful reconciliation. Firms may classify imports differently, and informal or re-export activities can cloud the picture. Still, using ISIC 2710 as a structural guide helps maintain consistency and comparability, especially when assessing policy impact over time.
What this analysis highlights is more than just trade volumes. It sheds light on the interaction between policy levers and market behavior—how tariffs shape sourcing decisions, how importers respond to changing costs, and how domestic manufacturers can be supported or pressured. For India’s evolving industrial strategy, these insights are invaluable, enabling more calibrated trade policy that balances protection with competitiveness. In a sector as foundational as electric motors, clarity on imports is not just about statistics—it’s about shaping the industrial future.