KK Fashion Exports

Import duty on kaftans from India to Jamaica

Rates verified on · Updated

Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → Jamaica

20% import duty

the standard rate; India has no trade agreement with lower garment duty here.

Plus 15% General Consumption Tax at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover. Plus Environmental Levy 0.5%, Standards Compliance Fee 0.3%.

Full breakdown and calculator →

Kaftans made in India pay 20% import duty in Jamaica. General Consumption Tax of 15% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.

Duty on kaftans by fabric

FabricStandard duty
Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.4220%
Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.4420%
Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.4320%
Silk, wovenHS code 6204.4920%
Linen, wovenHS code 6204.4920%
Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.4220%
Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.4420%
Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.4320%
Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.4220%
Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.4320%
Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.4920%

Which HS code applies?

How a kaftan is classified depends on its cut. A pull-over kaftan worn in public as a dress is classified as a dress (HS 6204.4x woven, 6104.4x knitted), which is how US Customs has ruled on caftans. A loose, open or cover-up style kaftan is often entered as “other garments” (HS 6211.4x) — the heading our own export invoices use for kaftans, kurtas and kimonos. Both are shown; in the UK, EU and Australia both carry the same duty, in the US they differ.

Duty and VAT calculator

Customs valueinvoice + freight + insurance (CIF)JMD 10,650.00
Customs duty (standard MFN)20% × customs valueJMD 2,130.00
Environmental Levy0.5% of valueJMD 53.25
Standards Compliance Fee0.3% of valueJMD 31.95
General Consumption Tax (15%)15% × (customs value + duty and levies)JMD 1,929.78
Duty and charges payablenot recoverableJMD 2,215.20
Total at import incl. General Consumption TaxGeneral Consumption Tax is usually recoverable if you are registeredJMD 4,144.98

Jamaica values imports on a CIF basis (invoice plus freight and insurance). Not modelled in the estimate: Stamp duty: flat J$100 per shipment when CIF > J$5,500; Customs Administrative Fee: charged, rate not published on the JCA pages read.

Worked example

Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at JMD 10,000 with JMD 600 freight and JMD 50 insurance. Customs value: JMD 10,650.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): JMD 2,130.00. Environmental Levy: JMD 53.25. Standards Compliance Fee: JMD 31.95. General Consumption Tax (15%): JMD 1,929.78. Duty and charges payable: JMD 2,215.20. Total at import incl. General Consumption Tax: JMD 4,144.98. Change the inputs above to model your own order.

Trade agreement with India

India has no trade agreement with preferential garment rates here; the standard rate applies.

Jamaica General Consumption Tax: 15%

Clothing carries Jamaica's 15% General Consumption Tax, charged at import on the customs value plus duty.

Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration

A business registered for it normally claims it back as input tax on its return; your customs broker will confirm.

Sourcing from India? We make these garments.

KK Fashion Exports manufactures and exports kaftans, dresses, skirts, scarves and resortwear from India. We issue the certificate of origin for every qualifying shipment and help your broker claim the lower duty.

Duty on kaftans in other countries

Other garments into Jamaica

Sources

  1. Revised Common External Tariff of the Caribbean Community (HS 2017), revised 11 April 2018 (page: https://caricom.org/?p=20850) — caricom.org. Checked 2026-10-07.
  2. General Consumption Tax (GCT) — Jamaica — jca.gov.jm. Checked 2026-10-07.
  3. Environmental Levy (ENVL) — Jamaica — jca.gov.jm. Checked 2026-10-07.

Indicative estimate built from official tariff sources, not a customs ruling. The duty your customs authority charges depends on the exact classification, origin proof and valuation of your shipment; confirm with your customs broker before you rely on it.

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