Import duty on kaftans from India to Canada
Rates verified on · Updated
Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → Canada
17% import duty
the standard rate; India has no trade agreement with lower garment duty here.
Plus 5% GST at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover.
Full breakdown and calculator →Kaftans made in India pay 16–18% import duty in Canada. GST of 5% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.
Duty on kaftans by fabric
| Fabric | Standard duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.42 | 17% |
| Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.44 | 18% |
| Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.43 | 18% |
| Silk, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 16% |
| Linen, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 16% |
| Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.42 | 18% |
| Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.44 | 18% |
| Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.43 | 18% |
| Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.42 | 17% |
| Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.43 | 18% |
| Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.49 | 17% |
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 value (FOB, freight excluded) | CAD 10,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Customs duty (standard MFN)17% × customs value | CAD 1,700.00 |
| GST (5%)5% × (Value for duty + customs duty (+ excise taxes/surtaxes) | CAD 585.00 |
| Duty and charges payablenot recoverable | CAD 1,700.00 |
| Total at import incl. GSTGST is usually recoverable if you are registered | CAD 2,285.00 |
Value for duty is the transaction value (price paid or payable); international freight and insurance from the place of direct shipment are not part of it (deductible if in a CIF price) - CBSA Memorandum D13-2-5. GST base is value for duty plus duties.
Worked example
Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at CAD 10,000 with CAD 600 freight and CAD 50 insurance. Customs value: CAD 10,000.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): CAD 1,700.00. GST (5%): CAD 585.00. Duty and charges payable: CAD 1,700.00. Total at import incl. GST: CAD 2,285.00. Change the inputs above to model your own order.
Trade agreement with India
India lost Canada's General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2015, so garments from India pay the MFN rate; there is no trade agreement in force.
Canadian GST (5% federal) and provincial HST
At the border CBSA collects GST of 5% on (value for duty + duties and other federal taxes). Value for duty excludes international freight and insurance. HST provinces (e.g. Ontario 13%, Atlantic provinces 15%) add a provincial part that varies by province; CRA states the provincial part is collected at the border for non-commercial imports, while a registered commercial importer generally accounts for it on its GST/HST return. This tool shows GST only.
Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration
A GST/HST-registered importer of record claims an input tax credit for the GST/federal HST paid at import, to the extent the goods are used in commercial activities.
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
- Singapore — 0% duty
- Saudi Arabia — 5% duty
- New Zealand — 10% duty
- Switzerland — 0% duty
Other garments into Canada
- Dresses — 16–18% duty
- Skirts — 17–18% duty
- Scarves and stoles — 9–18% duty
Sources
- CRA GST/HST on imports and exports — canada.ca. Checked 2026-10-07.
- CBSA Importing commercial goods - Determining duties and taxes — cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Checked 2026-10-07.
- CBSA Memorandum D13-2-5 Customs Valuation: Effects of the GST — cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Checked 2026-10-07.
- CBSA Customs Tariff 2026, Chapter 61 — cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Checked 2026-10-07.
- Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2013-161 (GPT withdrawn from India from 1 January 2015) — gazette.gc.ca. 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.
