Colgate Palmolive India – Supply Chain Explained

🏢 Company Overview

• Legal Name: Colgate Palmolive (India) Ltd.

• Headquarters: Colgate Research Centre, Main Street, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Industry: FMCG - Oral care, Personal care, and Home Care Products

• Parentage: Subsidiary of The Colgate‑Palmolive Company, a U.S.- based multinational founded in 1806

• Key Brands in India: Colgate, Colgate Cibaca, Palmolive, and others

🌍 Global & Strategic Significance in India

• India ranks among the top three global markets for Colgate due to robust consumption and premiumization trends

• Holds ~55% market share in toothpaste, indicating dominant domestic presence

📤 Export Operations (FY 2023–24)

• Total Export Shipments: 174

• Export Value: ≈ $1.86 million

Top Destination Countries:

• United Arab Emirates: $653,147

• Nepal: $448,640

• Iraq: $371,218

• Maldives: $55,278

• Bhutan: $28,171

Key Export Products & HS Codes:

• HS 33061020 (dentifrices), HS 96032100 (toothbrushes), HS 33069000 (cosmetics), HS 34013019 (soap)

Sample Exports (Bill of Lading):

• Colgate Total Charcoal 120g to Bhutan (27 Apr 2024)

• Toothbrushes, mouthwash, body wash to Bangladesh and US

Prominent Ports Used for Export:

• Sonauli LCS (85 shipments), Ahmedabad ICD (34), Nhava Sheva Sea (30), Jaigaon LCS (25)

Major Buyers: 12 buyers, top being individual trade partners across the above countries

📥 Import Operations (FY 2023–24)

• Total Import Shipments: 83

• Import Value: ≈ $3.23 million

Primary Origin Countries:

• China: $971,719

• Germany: $459,776

• Brazil: $518,521

• South Korea: $448,464

• Thailand: $44,242

Key Imported HS Codes:

• HS 54041990, HS 96032100, HS 29252990, HS 13023990, HS 28269000 (industrial oils, raw materials, packaging, toothbrushes)

Notable Imports:

• Industrial oils like crude palm kernel/stearin from Indonesia (HS 15132100) in bulk—historical shipments via Bombay Sea

Main Import Ports in India:

• Nhava Sheva Sea (50 shipments), Chennai Air (10), Chennai Sea (9), Sahar Air (7), Ahmedabad ICD (4)

📦 Product Samples & Categories

• Export Sample: HS 84529090 – Eccentric wheel component exported to China on Jan 19, 2023

• Domestic Export Example: Toothpaste shipments (HS 330610) to Kenya loaded via ICD Pune in Feb 2021

• Import Sample: Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) from Danisco, China—various shipments recorded via Kundai, Goa

🔧 Supply Chain & Trade Footprint

Trading Partners:

• Exports to 12 buyers; imports from 28 suppliers; data shows 220+ import buyers and 217 suppliers overall

Shipment Records (Total):

• Approx. 12,100 total import/export shipments recorded since 2007

Global Retail Reach:

• Products reach South Asia, Gulf, Africa, Latin America, etc., illustrating a broad export footprint

💱 Foreign Exchange & Financials

• Export Earnings (FOB): ~$1.01 million (2024 data)

• Foreign Currency Expenditure: Approx. $699 k–$737 k in recent years

• Import CIF Value: Includes capital goods and trade goods; figures available but need detailed dataset

✅ Summary Table

📌 Insights & Implications

• Strategic dual role: Colgate India functions as both a high-value exporter (oral care products) and significant importer of ingredients and packaging materials.

• Strong import links with China and Germany indicate reliance on specialized raw materials and components (e.g., toothbrush parts, oils, packaging polymers).

• Export markets focus on South Asia, the Middle East, and African countries, showcasing a targeted regional strategy.

• Extensive shipping network: Spanning sea, air, and land ports, underscoring diversified logistics channels.

🌍 Trade Network & Partners

• Global Reach: ~220 export buyers across 28 countries; ~614 suppliers

• Top Buyers: Kathmandu Marketing & Trading (~216 shipments to Nepal)

• Product Range in Bills of Lading: Toothpastes: e.g., “Colgate Sens Mega”, “MaxFresh”, “Herbal TP”, “Active Salt”

🚢 Logistics Overview

• Export Modes & Ports: Sea shipments via Nhava Sheva, Sabarmati ICD; LCL via Pune ICD.

• Import Ports: Key arrival points include Nhava Sheva Sea/Air, Chennai Sea/Air, Ahmedabad ICD, Goa (Kundai).

🔗 Trading Ecosystem & Volume Patterns

Relationships:

• 220 unique international buyers (e.g., Katmandu Marketing & Trading with 216 shipments)

• 614 suppliers — major trading partners include China, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, France, USA

Historical Volume:

• Exporters: ~38,135 shipments to 222 buyers

• Importers: ~22,270 shipments from 535 suppliers (Volza data through Apr 2024)

Port & Transit Modes:

• Exports: Sea via Nhava Sheva, ICD Pune, Jaigaon LCS (land to Bhutan)

• Imports: Sea/Air via Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Ahmedabad ICD, Goa; air shipments from UK labs

📦 Product Mix & Sample Transactions

• Top HS‑330610 Products: Dentifrices exported in various sizes—120g charcoal, 70g Sensitive Plus, kids 3–9 yrs, active salt, etc.

• Toothbrush Imports: From China, Thailand, the US—with HS 96032100 codes; sample shipment: 21,600 pcs Barbie kids toothbrushes (Dec 2024)

📊 Strategic Trade Summary

💡 Strategic Insights

• Export-led to Emerging Markets: Focus on neighboring nations & GCC with consistent demand for oral hygiene products.

• Import-driven Inputs: Heavy reliance on China and Germany for raw materials/components—ingredients, packaging, toothbrush parts.

• Diversified Channels: Use of sea ports, air, and ICDs reflects integrated logistics strategy ensuring timely supply/resupply.

✅ In Summary

Colgate‑Palmolive India operates as a hybrid trade model—exporting finished goods (toothpastes, oral care items) while importing key raw materials and packaging components. This reflects strong global supply chain integration, with a footprint across South Asia, Middle East, and reliance on major industrial suppliers worldwide.