Import Duty on Clothes from China to India Tariff Rates & Compliance
Import Duty on Clothes from China to India: Everything You Need for Accurate Duties, Correct Classification, and Smooth Customs Clearance

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Types of Customs Duties
Instantly calculate Clothes import duty from China to India and total landed costs using real-time official government data.
Basic Customs Duty
Social Welfare Surcharge
Integrated Goods and Services Tax
Anti-Dumping Duty
Safeguard Duty
Overview: Importing clothes from China to India involves a multi-layered tax structure primarily governed by the Customs Act, 1962. Most apparel items fall under Chapters 61 and 62 of the ITC (HS) code, which often carry high protectionist rates to support the domestic textile industry. The total effective duty is calculated by compounding the Basic Customs Duty, Social Welfare Surcharge, and Integrated Goods and Services Tax.
| Duty/Tax Type Name | Standard Rate or Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Basic Customs Duty (BCD) | 20% or Specific Rate (whichever is higher) |
| Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) | 10% of BCD |
| Integrated GST (IGST) | 5% or 12% (based on transaction value) |
| Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) | Product-specific (varies by manufacturer/fabric) |
| Section 301 Duties | N/A (US-specific regulation) |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) | N/A (US-specific regulation) |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) | N/A (US-specific regulation) |
| Excise Duty | Generally Nil for finished apparel |
- Basic Customs Duty (BCD): This is the primary tax on imported goods, calculated either as a percentage of the value or a specific amount per unit.
- Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): An additional tax of 10% applied specifically to the Basic Customs Duty amount to fund social infrastructure projects.
- Integrated GST (IGST): This tax is levied on the sum of the assessable value, BCD, and SWS; it is currently 5% for items valued under ₹1,000 and 12% for those above.
- Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD): Imposed by the government on specific Chinese textile products if they are found to be exported at prices lower than their normal value.
- Specific/Compound Duties: For many garments, India applies a fixed rupee amount per piece if it results in a higher tax than the ad valorem percentage.
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