# Custom synthesis (CDMO): Movement

Why almost everything a CDMO makes leaves the country

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/movement/

What this tab covers How it moves between countries: share of output traded, physical form and transport, the largest exporters and importers, main routes, India's trade, and handling rules in transit.

| Measure | Figure |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Share traded** | high: most CDMO output is exported to the customer's formulation sites |  |  |
| **How it moves** | APIs and intermediates in drums by air or sea; biologics frozen or cold chain |  |  |
| **Routes and chokepoints** | India and China to US and EU; Switzerland to global. No dedicated HS code (output falls under HS 29 and 30). |  |  |
| **India** | CDMO exports are within India's bulk drug and pharma exports; no separate official figure. |  |  |
| **Handling in transit** | Product-specific. |  |  |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/trading/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/links/index.md)