Import duty on kaftans from India to Kenya
Rates verified on · Updated
Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → Kenya
35% import duty
the standard rate; India has no trade agreement with lower garment duty here.
Plus 16% VAT at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover. Plus Import Declaration Fee 2.5%, Railway Development Levy 2%.
Full breakdown and calculator →Kaftans made in India pay 35% import duty in Kenya. VAT of 16% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.
Duty on kaftans by fabric
| Fabric | Standard duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.42 | 35% |
| Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.44 | 35% |
| Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.43 | Check with customs |
| Silk, wovenHS code 6204.49 | Check with customs |
| Linen, wovenHS code 6204.49 | Check with customs |
| Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.42 | 35% |
| Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.44 | Check with customs |
| Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.43 | Check with customs |
| Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.42 | 35% |
| Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.43 | Check with customs |
| Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.49 | Check with customs |
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) | KES 10,650.00 |
|---|---|
| Customs duty (standard MFN)35% × customs value | KES 3,727.50 |
| Import Declaration Fee2.5% of value | KES 266.25 |
| Railway Development Levy2% of value | KES 213.00 |
| VAT (16%)16% × (customs value + duty) | KES 2,300.40 |
| Duty and charges payablenot recoverable | KES 4,206.75 |
| Total at import incl. VATVAT is usually recoverable if you are registered | KES 6,507.15 |
Kenya values imports on a CIF basis (invoice plus freight and insurance).
Worked example
Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at KES 10,000 with KES 600 freight and KES 50 insurance. Customs value: KES 10,650.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): KES 3,727.50. Import Declaration Fee: KES 266.25. Railway Development Levy: KES 213.00. VAT (16%): KES 2,300.40. Duty and charges payable: KES 4,206.75. Total at import incl. VAT: KES 6,507.15. 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.
Kenya VAT at import: 16%
Clothing carries Kenya's 16% VAT, 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.
Wholesale kaftans Kaftan catalogue Talk to us Certifications
Duty on kaftans in other countries
- United Kingdom — 0% with UK–India CETA, 12% standard
- Germany — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- United States — 1.2–16% + 10% duty
- Australia — 0% with Australia–India ECTA, 5% standard
- United Arab Emirates — 0% with India–UAE CEPA, 5% standard
- Austria — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Belgium — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Bulgaria — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Croatia — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Cyprus — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Czech Republic — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Denmark — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Estonia — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Finland — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- France — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Greece — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Hungary — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Ireland — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Italy — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Latvia — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Lithuania — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Luxembourg — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Malta — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Netherlands — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Poland — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Portugal — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Romania — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Slovakia — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Slovenia — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Spain — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Sweden — 9.6% with EU GSP, 12% standard
- Jamaica — 20% duty
- Trinidad and Tobago — 20% duty
- Guyana — 20% duty
- Barbados — 20% duty
- Fiji — 5–15% duty
- Papua New Guinea — 15–20% duty
- Vanuatu — 15% duty
- Mauritius — 0% duty
- Seychelles — 0% duty
- Serbia — 22% duty
- North Macedonia — 17.5% duty
- Chile — 2.4–4.2% with India–Chile PTA, 6% standard
- Peru — 11% duty
- Colombia — 40% duty
- Tanzania — 25% duty
- Uganda — 35% duty
- Rwanda — 25% duty
- Côte d'Ivoire — 20% duty
- Senegal — 20% duty
- Egypt — 40% duty
- Morocco — 30% duty
- Japan — 0% with India-Japan CEPA, 9.1–10.9% standard
- South Korea — 0% with India-Korea CEPA, 13% standard
- Singapore — 0% duty
- Saudi Arabia — 5% duty
- Canada — 16–18% duty
- New Zealand — 10% duty
- Switzerland — 0% duty
Other garments into Kenya
- Dresses — 35% duty
- Skirts — 35% duty
- Scarves and stoles — 35% duty
Sources
- EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 No. 16, 30 June 2026, Legal Notice EAC/160/2026 (approved measures on import duty rates) — eac.int. Checked 2026-10-07.
- Import Declaration Fee (IDF) — Kenya — kenyalaw.org. Checked 2026-10-07.
- VAT: 16% of (CIF + import duty + excise) — Kenya — kra.go.ke. 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.
