India to South Africa: Tramadol Export Trade Route
India has recorded 239 verified shipments of Tramadol exported to South Africa, representing a combined trade value of $9.8M USD. This corridor is served by 25 active Indian exporters, with an average shipment value of $41.1K USD. The leading Indian exporter is IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, which accounts for 26% of total export value with 10 shipments worth $2.5M USD. On the buying side, NA is the largest importer in South Africa with $2.4M USD in purchases. The top 3 suppliers — IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD — together control 50% of total trade value on this route. All data sourced from Indian Customs (DGFT) shipping bill records. Values reported in FOB USD.
Route Intelligence Overview
The India to South Africa Tramadol corridor is one of India's established pharmaceutical export routes, with 239 shipments documented worth a combined $9.8M USD. The route is dominated by IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, which alone accounts for roughly 26% of all export value, reflecting the consolidated nature of India's tramadol manufacturing sector.
Across 25 active suppliers, the average shipment value stands at $41.1K USD — a figure that reflects both bulk commercial orders from large pharmaceutical companies and smaller specialty shipments. Sea freight dominates at 74% of all shipments, consistent with tramadol's non-urgent bulk-order profile.
Shipment activity peaks during July–September, with an average transit time of 34 days port-to-port. The route has recorded an annual growth rate of 24.2%, placing it at rank #12 among India's top tramadol export destinations globally.
On the import side, key buyers of Indian tramadol in South Africa include NA, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA (PTY) LTD, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA PTY LTD and 40 others. NA is the single largest importer with 7 shipments valued at $2.4M USD.
Route Characteristics
- Average transit34 days
- Peak seasonQ3
- Primary modeSea freight
- Top portNHAVA SHEVA SEA (INNSA1)
Market Position
- Global rank#12
- Annual growth+24.2%
- Demand growth+20.4%
- Regulatory ease76/100
Top 10 Indian Tramadol Exporters to South Africa
Showing top 10 of 25 Indian suppliers exporting Tramadol to South Africa, ranked by total trade value (USD)
| Rank | Supplier (Indian Exporter) | Shipments | Total Value (USD) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED Avg $254.0K per shipment | 10 | $2.5M | 25.8% |
| 2 | ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED Avg $30.3K per shipment | 57 | $1.7M | 17.5% |
| 3 | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD Avg $26.6K per shipment | 26 | $692.5K | 7.0% |
| 4 | ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED Avg $27.9K per shipment | 22 | $612.9K | 6.2% |
| 5 | SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED Avg $35.8K per shipment | 16 | $573.4K | 5.8% |
| 6 | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD Avg $78.0K per shipment | 6 | $467.8K | 4.8% |
| 7 | MILAN LABORATORIES (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED Avg $92.0K per shipment | 4 | $368.2K | 3.7% |
| 8 | RUSAN PHARMA LIMITED Avg $44.1K per shipment | 8 | $352.6K | 3.6% |
| 9 | CADILA HEALTHCARE LTD Avg $27.8K per shipment | 11 | $306.2K | 3.1% |
| 10 | SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED Avg $37.8K per shipment | 8 | $302.2K | 3.1% |
This table shows the top 10 of 25 Indian companies exporting tramadol to South Africa, ranked by total trade value. The listed exporters are: IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD, ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED , SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD , MILAN LABORATORIES (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED, RUSAN PHARMA LIMITED, CADILA HEALTHCARE LTD, SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED . IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED is the dominant supplier with 10 shipments worth $2.5M USD, giving it a 26% market share. The top 3 suppliers together account for 50% of the total trade value on this route.
Showing top 10 of 25 total Indian exporters on the India to South Africa Tramadol export route.
Top 10 Tramadol Importers in South Africa
Showing top 10 of 43 known buyers in South Africa receiving Tramadol shipments from India, ranked by import value
On the receiving end of this trade route, the leading importers of Indian tramadol in South Africa include NA, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA (PTY) LTD, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA PTY LTD, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L , MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L, among 43 total buyers. The largest importer is NA, accounting for $2.4M USD across 7 shipments — representing 25% of all tramadol imports from India on this route.
| Rank | Importer / Buyer | Shipments | Import Value (USD) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NA | 7 | $2.4M | 24.9% |
| 2 | ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA (PTY) LTD | 45 | $1.3M | 13.7% |
| 3 | ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA PTY LTD | 16 | $499.2K | 5.1% |
| 4 | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L | 6 | $467.8K | 4.8% |
| 5 | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L | 29 | $441.9K | 4.5% |
| 6 | ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA (PTY) LTD | 13 | $378.3K | 3.8% |
| 7 | RANBAXY PHARMACEUTICALS PTY LIMITED | 9 | $362.6K | 3.7% |
| 8 | ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA PTY LIMITED | 12 | $283.8K | 2.9% |
| 9 | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) | 5 | $283.0K | 2.9% |
| 10 | RANBAXY PHARMACEUTICALS (PTY) LTD. | 7 | $264.9K | 2.7% |
Showing top 10 of 43 Tramadol importers in South Africa on this route.
Top 10 Tramadol Formulations Imported by South Africa
Showing top 10 of 160 product formulations shipped on the India to South Africa Tramadol route, ranked by trade value
South Africa imports a wide range of tramadol formulations from India, spanning tablets, capsules, suspensions, and combination drugs. The top formulation — TRAMADOL SR 100MG TABLETS(15960X6X10'S PACK =957600 TABLETS) — accounts for $1.2M USD across 1 shipments. There are 160 distinct product descriptions in the dataset, reflecting the variety of dosage forms and strengths imported.
| Rank | Product Formulation | Shipments | Trade Value (USD) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRAMADOL SR 100MG TABLETS(15960X6X10'S PACK =957600 TABLETS) | 1 | $1.2M | 12.3% |
| 2 | HARMLESS MEDICINES:TRAMADOL SR 100MG TABLETS(AUSTELL)[TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE(HCL)SR 100MG TABLETS](15592X6X10'S PACK =93 | 1 | $1.2M | 12.0% |
| 3 | TRAMAZAC CAP 50 MG 10 X 10 (TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE) (EXPORT AUTHORIZATION NO. :P-EXP-13555/2024 DATED - 10/06/2024) | 1 | $211.2K | 2.1% |
| 4 | PHARMA.GOODS/HARMLESS MEDICINE:AUSTELL-TRAMADOL 50MG(182827PACX10X10=18282700 CAPS) TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE 50MG CAPSULES | 1 | $184.4K | 1.9% |
| 5 | PHARMA.GOODS/HARMLESS MEDICINE:AUSTELL-TRAMADOL 50MG(182827PACx10x10=18282700 CAPS) TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE 50MG CAPSULESNOS | 3 | $183.8K | 1.9% |
| 6 | Tramadol Hydrochloride 100 MG (DOLOTRAMINJ 100MG 2ML 5x1'S AMP ZA) (PACK:SP 05*01) | 5 | $179.7K | 1.8% |
| 7 | HARMLESS MEDICINES : DOMADOL 50MG CAPSULES Tramadol Hydrochloride Capsules PACK OF 10X10C (27,243 PACK X10X10 | 2 | $172.2K | 1.8% |
| 8 | TRAMAZAC INJECTION 100MG/2ML (TRAMADOL H | 4 | $148.3K | 1.5% |
| 9 | DOLTREX 50MG(TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS 50MG) 1X100'S (134931 PAC) | 1 | $128.3K | 1.3% |
| 10 | PATRAM TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE 37.5MG AND PARACETAMOL 325 MG FILM COATED TABLETS | 2 | $125.6K | 1.3% |
Showing top 10 of 160 Tramadol formulations imported by South Africa on this route.
Shipping & Logistics Analysis
Freight mode split and port-of-origin breakdown
Freight Mode Distribution
Sea freight dominates at 74%, typical for bulk pharmaceutical shipments.
Top Ports of Origin
NHAVA SHEVA SEA (INNSA1) handles the highest volume with 31 shipments. Transit time averages 34 days by sea.
Market Dynamics
India's tramadol exports to South Africa are driven primarily by a handful of large-scale manufacturers. IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED with 10 shipments leads the pack, a pattern common in generic pharmaceutical corridors where manufacturing scale creates significant cost advantages. The presence of 25 active exporters signals a competitive but concentrated market — buyers in South Africa benefit from supplier diversity while the top tier handles the majority of volume.
The top 3 suppliers — IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD — together account for 50% of total trade value on this route. The average shipment value of $41.1K USD reflects a mix of bulk commercial orders and smaller specialty shipments.
Beyond the primary product category, shipments on this route include closely related formulations such as harmless medicines:tramadol sr 100mg tablets(austell)[tramadol hydrochloride(hcl)sr 100mg tablets](15592x6x10's pack =93 and tramazac cap 50 mg 10 x 10 (tramadol hydrochloride) (export authorization no. :p-exp-13555/2024 dated - 10/06/2024), suggesting that buyers in South Africa tend to consolidate orders across related product lines from the same Indian supplier.
On the buying side, NA is the largest importer with 7 shipments worth $2.4M USD — representing 25% of all tramadol imports from India on this route. A total of 43 buyers are active on this corridor.
Route Statistics
- Trade Volume
- $9.8M
- Avg. Shipment
- $41.1K
- Suppliers
- 25
- Buyers
- 43
- Transit (Sea)
- ~34 days
- Annual Growth
- +24.2%
Other Tramadol Routes
Unlock the Full India to South Africa Tramadol Dataset
TransData Nexus provides verified shipment-level records, supplier contact details, HS code breakdowns, real-time pricing benchmarks, and regulatory compliance guides for 239 shipments on this route.
Frequently Asked Questions — India to South Africa Tramadol Trade
Answers based on Indian Customs (DGFT) shipment records compiled by TransData Nexus
Q Which Indian companies export Tramadol to South Africa?
The leading Indian exporters of Tramadol to South Africa are IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED, ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LIMITED, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD. IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED holds the largest market share at approximately 26% of total trade value on this route.
Q What is the total value of Tramadol exports from India to South Africa?
India exports Tramadol to South Africa worth approximately $9.8M USD across 239 recorded shipments. The average value per shipment is $41.1K USD.
Q Which ports does India use to ship Tramadol to South Africa?
The most active port of origin is NHAVA SHEVA SEA (INNSA1) with 31 shipments. Indian exporters primarily use sea freight for this route, with 74% of shipments going by sea and 21% by air.
Q How long does shipping take from India to South Africa for Tramadol?
The average transit time for Tramadol shipments from India to South Africa is approximately 34 days. Sea freight typically takes longer, while air freight can reduce this significantly for urgent orders. Peak shipping activity is observed during July–September.
Q Is the India to South Africa Tramadol trade route growing?
Yes — this trade corridor has seen an annual growth rate of approximately 24.2% with demand growth tracking at 20.4%. The route is ranked #12 among India's top Tramadol export destinations globally.
Q How many suppliers are active on the India to South Africa Tramadol route?
There are currently 25 active Indian suppliers exporting Tramadol to South Africa. The market is moderately concentrated with IPCA LABORATORIES LIMITED accounting for 26% of total shipment value.
Q Who are the main importers of Tramadol from India in South Africa?
The leading importers of Indian Tramadol in South Africa include NA, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA (PTY) LTD, ZYDUS HEALTHCARE SA PTY LTD, MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L , MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS SA (PTY) L. NA is the largest buyer with 7 shipments worth $2.4M USD.
Official References & Regulatory Resources
- India Trade Statistics (DGFT)
- Invest India — Pharma Sector
- WCO HS Nomenclature
- Ministry of Commerce — Pharma Exports
- Pharmexcil
Data sourced from Indian Customs (DGFT) records. Verify regulatory and trade status with the agencies above.
Research Methodology & Data Transparency
Suresh Sormare
Verified AuthorPharmaceutical Export-Import Analyst & Trade Intelligence Expert
Suresh Sormare is a pharmaceutical export-import analyst with deep expertise in Indian Customs (DGFT) data, HS code classification, and global pharmaceutical supply chains. His analysis covers 10M+ shipment records across 150+ countries and is used by manufacturers, procurement agencies, and trade consultants worldwide. Suresh specializes in identifying verified suppliers and buyers from customs records, mapping bilateral pharmaceutical trade corridors, analyzing tariff structures and regulatory frameworks across 170+ destination markets, and benchmarking competitive positioning for finished pharmaceutical formulations. His methodology combines granular customs transaction data with regulatory intelligence from FDA, EMA, WHO, CDSCO, and 40+ national drug authorities to deliver actionable trade insights for the pharmaceutical formulations sector.
linkedin.com/in/sureshsormarePrimary Data Source
All trade data is sourced from Indian Customs (DGFT) official shipping bill records — the authoritative government database for India's pharmaceutical trade. Each verified record contains exporter name, consignee (buyer) name, detailed product description, quantity, declared FOB value (USD), port of loading, destination country, and shipment date.
Analysis Methodology
- 1.Route Identification: India to South Africa export trade corridor identified from Indian Customs (DGFT) records for Tramadol.
- 2.Supplier/Buyer Matching: 25 Indian exporters and 43 importers in South Africa matched using name normalization.
- 3.Value Aggregation: Total export value aggregated from 239 verified shipping bill records. Values are FOB in USD.
- 4.Market Share Analysis: Each supplier and buyer contribution calculated as a percentage of total route value. Statistical normalization applied to ensure accurate representation across varying shipment sizes.
Government-Sourced Data
Official DGFT customs records
Transparent Methodology
Calculations fully disclosed above
239 Verified Shipments
25 Indian exporters tracked
Expert-Reviewed
By pharmaceutical trade specialists