China, Thailand to be hit as India bans import of ACs with refrigerants

Shipments from China and Thailand are set to take a hit as India bans the import of air-conditioners with refrigerants to promote domestic manufacturing.

Data showed that India imported split air-conditioners worth $469 million in 2019-20 with $241 million from China and $189 million from Thailand. 

It imported window air-conditioners worth $35 million with $18 million from Thailand and $14 million from China during the same period. Most of the air-conditioners imported to India come with refrigerants.

The domestic market of air conditioners is believed to be around $5-6 billion. The government aims to shift the focus from importing ACs to manufacturing them domestically.