Import duty on kaftans from India to Singapore
Rates verified on · Updated
Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → Singapore
0% import duty
no duty on this garment for any country, so no certificate of origin is needed for the rate.
Plus 9% Goods and Services Tax at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover.
Full breakdown and calculator →Kaftans made in India pay 0% import duty in Singapore. Goods and Services Tax of 9% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.
Duty on kaftans by fabric
| Fabric | Standard duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.42 | 0% |
| Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.44 | 0% |
| Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.43 | 0% |
| Silk, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 0% |
| Linen, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 0% |
| Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.42 | 0% |
| Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.44 | 0% |
| Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.43 | 0% |
| Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.42 | 0% |
| Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.43 | 0% |
| Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.49 | 0% |
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) | SGD 10,650.00 |
|---|---|
| Customs duty (standard MFN)0% × customs value | SGD 0.00 |
| Goods and Services Tax (9%)9% × (CIF value + any customs duty (nil for garments) | SGD 958.50 |
| Duty and charges payablenot recoverable | SGD 0.00 |
| Total at import incl. Goods and Services TaxGoods and Services Tax is usually recoverable if you are registered | SGD 958.50 |
GST (and duty where dutiable) is levied on the CIF value, including all costs incidental to the sale and delivery of the goods into Singapore.
Worked example
Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at SGD 10,000 with SGD 600 freight and SGD 50 insurance. Customs value: SGD 10,650.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): SGD 0.00. Goods and Services Tax (9%): SGD 958.50. Duty and charges payable: SGD 0.00. Total at import incl. Goods and Services Tax: SGD 958.50. Change the inputs above to model your own order.
Trade agreement with India
Singapore charges no customs duty on garments from any country, so no certificate of origin is needed for the rate; only GST applies.
GST on imports: 9%
GST of 9% is charged on the CIF value plus any customs duty. Garments carry no duty, so GST applies to the CIF value (cost, insurance, freight and incidental costs). GST import relief applies only to air/post consignments with CIF value up to S$400; none for sea or land.
Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration
A GST-registered business claims the GST paid at import as input tax in Box 7 of its GST return, supported by an import permit that names it as importer, plus supplier invoice and transport documents. The Import GST Deferment Scheme lets approved importers defer payment.
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
- Kenya — 35% 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
- Saudi Arabia — 5% duty
- Canada — 16–18% duty
- New Zealand — 10% duty
- Switzerland — 0% duty
Other garments into Singapore
- Dresses — 0% duty
- Skirts — 0% duty
- Scarves and stoles — 0% duty
Sources
- Singapore Customs - Duty-free concession and GST import relief — customs.gov.sg. Checked 2026-10-07.
- Singapore Customs - Duties and Dutiable Goods Overview — customs.gov.sg. Checked 2026-10-07.
- IRAS - Claiming GST (input tax): importing of goods — iras.gov.sg. 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.
