Import duty on garments from India to Canada
Rates verified on · Updated
Dress 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 →Duty on garments from India to Canada, by product and fabric, from CBSA Customs Tariff 2026, Chapter 61, Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2013-161 (GPT withdrawn from India from 1 January 2015). Choose a product for HS codes by fabric, a worked example and a calculator.
All garments at a glance
| Product | Usual HS heading | Standard (MFN) duty | With India preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dresses | 6204.42 / 6104.43 | 16–18% | — |
| Kaftans | 6204.42 | 16–18% | — |
| Skirts | 6204.52 / 6104.53 | 17–18% | — |
| Scarves and stoles | 6214.90 / 6117.10 | 9–18% | — |
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.
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- Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2013-161 (GPT withdrawn from India from 1 January 2015) — gazette.gc.ca.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.
