Indian garments imported into the European Union pay 9.6% instead of 12% on most clothing, et 6.4% instead of 8% on foulards tissés, under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). The lower rate needs one document: a statement on origin from an exporter registered in the EU’s REX system. This guide explains who qualifies, how the claim works, what it saves, and the change due on 1 Janvier 2027. Checked against EU sources on 7 Octobre 2026.
Why India still gets GSP on garments
India is a standard GSP beneficiary. The EU can suspend GSP for whole product sections where a country is highly competitive. For 2026–2028, Commission Implementing Regulation (UE) 2025/1909 suspended GSP for Indian textiles (yarns, fabrics and other materials). It did pas suspend it for vêtements, meaning knitted and woven garments and clothing accessories. Fabric bought from India pays the full rate; garments made in India keep the GSP discount.
| Vêtement (made in India) | Standard EU duty | With GSP |
|---|---|---|
| Robes, tissées ou tricotées | 12% | 9.6% |
| caftans, including loose robe cuts | 12% | 9.6% |
| Jupes, tissées ou tricotées | 12% | 9.6% |
| Écharpes et étoles, tissé | 8% | 6.4% |
| Écharpes, tricoté | 12% | 9.6% |
The EU tariff is the same in all 27 member states. Only import VAT differs by country. Rates are read weekly from the EU’s Access2Markets tariff data.
How the GSP claim works
- The exporter registers in REX, the EU’s Registered Exporter system, and receives a REX number.
- The exporter puts a statement on origin on the invoice (or another commercial document) for each shipment, quoting the REX number.
- The importer’s customs broker claims the GSP rate on the EU import declaration, using that statement.
- The goods must meet the GSP origin rule for garments. If the statement is missing or the goods do not qualify, the standard rate applies.
There is no paper certificate in this process: the statement on the invoice is the proof.
What it saves on a shipment
Take woven viscose dresses invoiced at EUR 10,000, with EUR 600 freight and EUR 50 insurance to the EU border, imported into Germany. EU customs value is CIF, so EUR 10,650.
| Without GSP | With GSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 12% = EUR 1,278.00 | 9.6% = EUR 1,022.40 |
| German import VAT, 19% de (customs value + duty) | EUR 2,266.32 | EUR 2,217.76 |
The duty saving is EUR 255.60 on this shipment. Import VAT is recoverable by a VAT-registered importer: it is deducted as input tax, and several member states let it be accounted for in the VAT return instead of paid at the border.
le 1 Janvier 2027 change to watch
A renewed GSP regulation, (UE) 2026/1395, applies from 1 Janvier 2027. Product-section suspensions are set under that regulation, so a fresh list will decide whether Indian apparel keeps GSP from 2027. Until that list is published, we cannot say whether the 9.6% rate continues. We will update this guide and the calculators when it appears. A buyer planning 2027 orders should price both cases: 9.6% if apparel stays in, 12% if it is suspended.
And the EU–India free trade agreement?
L’UE–India FTA was concluded on 27 Janvier 2026. On 11 Septembre 2026 the European Commission proposed the decision to sign it. It is not signed and does not apply, so it changes nothing today. Until it enters into force, GSP is the only lower rate available.
Check your own garment
- Import duty on dresses from India to Germany, with a calculator
- Écharpes · caftans · Jupes
- Other EU countries: France, Italie, Espagne, les Pays-Bas, and every member state from the duty hub
We manufacture and export garments from India and handle the origin paperwork with each shipment. Talk to us about kaftans, robes, skirts and scarves for the EU market.
Sources
- EUR-Lex: Commission Implementing Regulation (UE) 2025/1909, GSP sections suspended for 2026–2028
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (UE) 2026/1395, renewed GSP from 1 Janvier 2027
- European Commission, Access2Markets: GSP and the Registered Exporter (REX) system, et EU tariff data
Indicative information from official EU sources, written 7 Octobre 2026. Rates verified on against the official tariffs. It is not a customs ruling; confirm with your customs broker before you rely on it.
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