KK Fashion Exports

Import duty on skirts from India to Australia

Skirt in cotton, woven · India → Australia

0% import duty

under the Australia–India ECTA, with proof of Indian origin (normally 5%).

Plus 10% GST at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover.

Full breakdown and calculator →

Skirts made in India pay 0% import duty in Australia under the Australia–India ECTA (in force since 29 December 2022), instead of the standard 0–5%. GST of 10% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.

Duty on skirts by fabric

FabricStandard dutyWith Australia–India ECTA
Cotton, wovenAustralian tariff item 6204.52.005%0%
Viscose / rayon, wovenAustralian tariff item 6204.59.005%0%
Polyester, wovenAustralian tariff item 6204.53.005%0%
Silk, wovenAustralian tariff item 6204.59.005%0%
Linen, wovenAustralian tariff item 6204.59.005%0%
Cotton, knittedAustralian tariff item 6104.52.000%0%
Viscose / rayon, knittedAustralian tariff item 6104.59.000%0%
Polyester, knittedAustralian tariff item 6104.53.000%0%

Which HS code applies?

Women's skirts and divided skirts fall in HS 6204.5x when woven and 6104.5x when knitted. Viscose, silk and linen skirts share the “other textile materials” subheading (6204.59), unlike dresses where viscose has its own line.

Duty and VAT calculator

Customs valueinvoice value (FOB, freight excluded)AUD 10,000.00
Customs duty (Australia–India ECTA)0% × customs valueAUD 0.00
GST (10%)10% × (customs value + duty + freight + insurance)AUD 1,065.00
Duty and charges payablenot recoverableAUD 0.00
Total at import incl. GSTGST is usually recoverable if you are registeredAUD 1,065.00

Australian customs value is FOB: freight and insurance are excluded from the duty base, but they are added back for GST (the “value of the taxable importation”). Shipments valued at AUD 1,000 or less are duty- and GST-free; an import processing charge applies above that and is not shown.

Worked example

Take a shipment of skirts in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.52.00), invoiced at AUD 10,000 with AUD 600 freight and AUD 50 insurance, entered with proof of origin for the Australia–India ECTA. Customs value: AUD 10,000.00. Customs duty (Australia–India ECTA): AUD 0.00. GST (10%): AUD 1,065.00. Duty and charges payable: AUD 0.00. Total at import incl. GST: AUD 1,065.00. Change the inputs above to model your own order.

Australia–India ECTA: 0% on Indian garments

In force since 29 December 2022

The Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has applied since 29 December 2022. Australia removed duty on every garment line (chapters 61–63) from the first day: Customs Notice 2022/52 makes Indian-origin goods Free unless listed in Schedule 10A, and no garment line is listed. Without it, most garments pay Australia's general 5% (scarves, shawls and some knitted lines are already Free for everyone).

How your shipment gets the lower rate

Australia requires a certificate of origin for ECTA — there is no self-declaration route. The garments must meet the ECTA origin rule for textiles (a change of tariff subheading plus a minimum qualifying value content). We obtain the certificate of origin from the issuing agency in India for every qualifying shipment and send it with your documents. Consignments of AUD 1,000 or less do not need one.

Australian GST on imported garments: 10%

GST of 10% is charged on the value of the taxable importation: customs value, plus duty, plus international transport and insurance.

Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration

A GST-registered importer can join the Deferred GST scheme (monthly BAS lodgers): the GST is reported on the next BAS and claimed back as a credit on the same BAS, so nothing is paid at the border. Otherwise GST is paid at clearance and claimed as an input tax credit.

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 skirts in other countries

Other garments into Australia

Sources

  1. Working Tariff, Schedule 3 (chapters 61–63) — Australian Border Force. Checked 2026-10-07.
  2. GST and other taxes on imported goods — Australian Border Force. Checked 2026-10-07.
  3. Deferred GST scheme — Australian Taxation Office. Checked 2026-10-07.
  4. Australia–India ECTA (entered into force 29 December 2022) — Australian Border Force. Checked 2026-10-07.
  5. ECTA rules of origin guide — Australian Border Force. Checked 2026-10-07.
  6. Australian Customs Notice 2022/52 — ECTA tariff treatment (lines not in Schedule 10A are Free) — Australian Border Force. Checked 2026-10-07.
  7. Certificate of Origin — Trade Connect ePlatform — DGFT, Government of India. 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. Data rebuilt 2026-10-07.

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