Boycott China: You won’t believe these 50 Chinese products are found in every Indian household, they are…

In a significant setback for China after it allegedly assisted Pakistan in attacking India with drones during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, India has taken strong diplomatic and strategic measures. ‘Boycott China’ is trending on several social media platforms. Chinese products have flooded Indian markets and become a part of our daily lives. Often, people may not even notice whether what they’re buying is made in India or imported from China. Over the past two decades, India’s imports from China have steadily increased, reflecting a growing dependence on these goods.

India and China have been engaged in a territorial face-off since 2020 after the Chinese Army transgressed into multiple areas from the Galwan valley to the Finger area along the Pangong lake. This incident sparked a widespread call to boycott Chinese products across the country. Over the past four years, the movement has gained some ground, with many people gradually shifting towards locally made goods. However, it’s still a concern that a significant portion of products—like kitchen items, electronic gadgets, and even religious supplies—continue to be imported from China. In 2020, India lost 20 soldiers, including a commanding officer, during a violent clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.

China hasn’t stopped its political activities quietly. When tensions rose between India and Pakistan along the border, it became clear that China was quietly supporting Pakistan. In such times, if China plans against India but still wants to benefit from our large market, many people in India have started boycotting ‘Made in China’ products to reduce their presence in the market. As demand decreases, imports will go down, which will eventually affect China economically.

In recent years, there has been significant opposition to imports from China, especially items like toys and figurines, because these are culturally and economically sensitive. Below is a list of such Chinese products that are directly imported from China and bear the label “Made in China” or “Made in PRC.”

According to an Aaj Tak report, China holds a 75% share in the import of toys. While purchasing toys, it is advisable to check the brand carefully and avoid generic Chinese brands. The government has taken several positive steps to promote the indigenous toy industry, which has resulted in a 52% reduction in imports since 2020. Despite this progress, Chinese toys are still commonly found in the Indian market.

According to an Aaj Tak report, the import of Chinese figurines has faced widespread opposition due to their strong connection with religious sentiments. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) led boycott campaigns against these imports in 2016 and 2020. It is claimed that the Chinese share in figurines has dropped significantly from 70-80% to around 10%. This reduction is attributed to the increased promotion of indigenous figurines, which has helped curb imports. However, Chinese figurines are still sold during festivals.

During Diwali and other festivals, Chinese decorative garlands sell a lot because they are cheap. But their quality is very low. According to the AajTak report, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has added these items to its boycott list of more than 500 Chinese products. The rule to make BIS certification mandatory has reduced the import of Chinese decorations, but they can still be found in local markets.

Here’s a concise list of common Chinese-imported products in India (directly from China, labeled “Made in China/PRC”):

  • Smartphones: Xiaomi (Mi, Redmi), Oppo, Vivo, Realme (Made in China)
  • Power Banks: Xiaomi, Anker (Made in China)
  • Earphones/Headphones: OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi (Made in China)
  • Mobile Chargers: Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo (Made in China)
  • Electric Trimmers: Xiaomi, Philips (some models) (Made in China)
  • Hair Dryers: Xiaomi, Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electric Shavers: Xiaomi, Kemei (Made in China)
  • Portable Fans: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Decorative Garlands (Diwali/Christmas): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Lakshmi-Ganesh Figurines (Plastic/Ceramic): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Holi Water Guns (Pichkaris): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Holi Colors (Powder/Liquid): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Plastic Toys: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Battery-operated Toys: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Remote Control Cars/Drones: DJI (drones), Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Solar Cells/Panels: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Tempered Glass (Screen Protectors): Spigen, Baseus (Made in China)
  • USB Cables: Anker, Baseus (Made in China)
  • Smartwatches: Amazfit, Xiaomi (Made in China)
  • Bluetooth Speakers: JBL (some models), Xiaomi (Made in China)
  • LED Bulbs: Syska (some models), Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • LED Strip Lights: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electric Kettles: Xiaomi, Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electronic Display Boards: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Memory Cards (SD Cards): SanDisk (some models), Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Pen Drives: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Wireless Communication Devices: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Sound Recorders: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Badminton Rackets: Yonex (some models), Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Footballs: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Footwear: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • School Bags: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Umbrellas: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Artificial Jewelry: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electric Massagers: Xiaomi, Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Heating Pads: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • CCTV Cameras: Hikvision, Dahua (Made in China)
  • Furniture (Cheap desks, chairs): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Bedsheets: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Plastic Containers: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Non-stick Pans/Tawas: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • China Clay Cups and Plates: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Cheap Glasses (Frames): Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Digital Thermometers: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • BP Monitors: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electric Toothbrushes: Xiaomi, Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Insect Repellent Devices: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Coffee Makers: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Electric Can Openers: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)
  • Outdoor Barbecues: Generic Chinese brands (Made in China)

Chinese companies currently hold about 70% of the smartphone market share. The “Boycott China” campaign has influenced buying habits to some extent, but many consumers still choose Chinese mobiles due to their affordable prices. Popular Chinese brands include Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Realme. If these products are manufactured in India, they can be considered for purchase. However, it’s advisable to avoid products labeled “Made in China.” Similarly, when purchasing power banks, speakers, or headphones, it’s helpful to check their country of manufacture.

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