Import Duty for Clothes in India 2026: Navigate Duties, Cut Costs, Stay Compliant
Navigate Import Duty for Clothes in India with confidence, complete duty rates, HTS classifications, and compliance rules for international trade.
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IndiaTypes of Customs Duties
Instantly calculate Import Duty for Clothes in India and total landed costs using real-time official government data.
Basic Customs Duty
Integrated Goods and Services Tax
Social Welfare Surcharge
Anti-Dumping Duty
India's import duty structure for clothing is designed to protect the domestic textile industry while ensuring revenue collection. For SME importers, the total effective duty is calculated based on the assessable value of the goods, including insurance and freight. The primary components include Basic Customs Duty and GST-related levies.
| Duty/Tax Type Name | Standard Rate or Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Basic Customs Duty (BCD) | 20% - 25% |
| Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) | 10% of BCD |
| IGST | 5% or 12% |
| Ad Valorem Duty | 20% - 25% |
| Specific Duty | Varies per item (e.g., INR 150/piece) |
| Compound Duty | Higher of Ad Valorem or Specific |
| Section 301 | N/A (US Specific) |
| Antidumping Duty | Case-specific (Rare for finished clothes) |
| Excise Duty | N/A (Subsumed by GST) |
| MPF | N/A (US Specific) |
| HMF | N/A (US Specific) |
Types of Duties and Taxes:
- Basic Customs Duty (BCD): This is the standard tax levied on the import of goods into India, typically set at 20% to 25% for apparel to encourage local manufacturing.
- Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): A mandatory 10% surcharge applied specifically to the Basic Customs Duty amount to fund government social programs.
- Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST): A value-added tax applied on the sum of the assessable value and all preceding duties, usually 5% for items under INR 1000 and 12% otherwise.
- Specific Duties: In many apparel categories, India applies a minimum specific rate per unit; the importer pays whichever is higher between the ad valorem rate and the specific rate.
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