Import Duty Calculator

Import duty is the total tax levied on goods entering India. It's not a single number — it's a stack of components: Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS), Integrated GST (IGST), and sometimes Compensation Cess or Anti-Dumping Duty. This calculator computes the standard four-component stack against the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value of the consignment.

Step by step: (1) BCD = CIF × BCD rate. (2) SWS = BCD × 10% — fixed by the Finance Act 2018, applies to BCD only. (3) Assessable for IGST = CIF + BCD + SWS. (4) IGST = Assessable × IGST rate. (5) Cess (if applicable) = Assessable × Cess rate. (6) Total Duty = BCD + SWS + IGST + Cess. (7) Landed Cost = CIF + Total Duty. The IGST is creditable as input tax credit for GST-registered importers, so the effective cost is BCD + SWS + Cess.

BCD (Basic Customs Duty) is the headline customs duty rate, set per HSN code in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Our dataset is derived from that schedule. Standard rates apply to imports from non-preferential countries; preferential rates apply to imports from countries with a free-trade agreement (ASEAN, SAARC, Japan, Korea, etc.) but require a Certificate of Origin. The calculator uses the standard rate by default; toggle to use the preferential rate when applicable.

IGST on imports matches the GST rate of the same goods sold domestically. The four standard slabs are 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. Most commonly: 18% covers most manufactured goods; 12% covers many processed foods, packaged products; 5% covers essential food, medicines, books; 28% covers luxury/sin goods (cars, tobacco, aerated beverages — also incurs Compensation Cess). For the exact rate of your HSN, refer to gst.gov.in's rate finder.

Only on specific HSN codes — primarily aerated waters, tobacco products, motor vehicles (especially SUVs and luxury cars), and certain coal/lignite. The rate varies wildly: 1% to 290% depending on the product. If you're unsure, your HSN probably doesn't attract Cess (default to 0 in this calculator).

Not included in this calculator. ADD is product- and country-specific (e.g. solar cells from China, certain steel from Korea), changes frequently, and can run from a few percent to >100%. Always check the latest CBIC notification for your specific HSN + country of origin combination before paying.

No. CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) = invoice value + freight to Indian port + insurance + landing charges (1% of CIF added by customs as deemed). For a quick estimate, take FOB invoice value, add freight quote, add ~0.5-2% for insurance, and add 1% landing. Customs uses this CIF as the assessable value for BCD computation. If you only have FOB, multiply by ~1.10-1.15 for a rough CIF approximation.

Several reasons: (1) BCD rates change at every Union Budget — our data is current to the most recent published schedule but recent notifications may not reflect; (2) preferential rates need a valid Certificate of Origin to claim; (3) certain goods get exemptions under specific notifications (e.g. capital goods under EPCG, items under FTA quotas); (4) CESS rates are HSN-specific and not auto-populated here; (5) ADD/safeguard duties aren't included. Use this for budgeting, not final landed-cost commitment.

No. This is an estimation tool. The legally binding rate for your shipment is the one applied by Customs at the time of import, based on the Bill of Entry, the actual classification, the country of origin, and any current notifications. Always cross-check with a CHA (Customs House Agent) or your CFO before quoting landed cost to a customer.