A straight-talking overview of the tariffs that matter when you buy from India — and where to check the exact rate for your product. Free guide by QualityLink Global.
Tariff rules change. Trade deals get signed, paused, renegotiated. Anything you read here — including on our own site — should be double-checked against the official source before you place a big order. We've linked those sources below. A five-minute check beats a five-figure surprise at customs.
Check carefully
Two things matter here. First, the US put 25%+ tariffs on a huge range of Chinese goods under Section 301 — and those aren't going away. That's a big part of why American buyers are looking at India in the first place: Indian goods don't carry that penalty.
Second, the US has also applied reciprocal tariffs more broadly, and India hasn't been exempt from the noise. The exact rate for your product depends on its HTS code and whatever is in force the week your goods ship.
Check it here: USITC tariff database (hts.usitc.gov) for your product's rate · USTR (ustr.gov) for Section 301 lists
Deal in progress
The EU and India have been negotiating a free trade agreement for years, with both sides pushing to close it. If and when it lands, duties on many Indian goods — textiles, leather, handicrafts — would fall significantly. Until then, many Indian products enter under the EU's GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences), which already cuts or removes duty on a wide range.
Check it here: EU trade portal (ec.europa.eu/trade) for FTA status · EU TARIC database for your product's current rate
Deal signed
The UK and India concluded their free trade agreement in May 2025 and signed it in July 2025. When the tariff cuts take effect, British importers will see lower duties on Indian textiles, furniture, jewellery and more. Check the implementation timeline before you bank the savings — tariff schedules phase in over years, not overnight.
Check it here: GOV.UK (gov.uk) — search "UK India trade agreement" for the current schedule
Deal active
This one's done and working. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) has been in force since December 2022, giving duty-free or reduced-duty access for a huge range of Indian goods. If you're buying from India into Australia and not claiming ECTA preference, you're probably overpaying. You'll need a proper proof of origin from your supplier.
Check it here: DFAT (dfat.gov.au) — AI-ECTA tariff schedules and rules of origin
Standard MFN rates
No India-specific trade deal is in force for Canada, so standard most-favoured-nation rates apply. Same story for most other markets — check your country's tariff schedule for the HS code. The good news: India's rates are generally modest for handicrafts, furniture and textiles, which is why the landed cost still works.
One more thing people forget: duty is calculated on the customs value, which is usually the product price plus freight and insurance (CIF value) — not just the factory price. When you're comparing quotes, compare landed cost, not FOB.
We help buyers verify suppliers, confirm specs, and make sure the shipment that leaves India is the shipment you ordered — duties and paperwork included in the planning.
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