Import duty on kaftans from India to New Zealand
Rates verified on · Updated
Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → New Zealand
10% import duty
the standard rate; the NZ–India FTA is not in force yet (Signed and ratified · applies from 20 October 2026 · not yet in force).
Plus 15% GST at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover.
Full breakdown and calculator →What’s happening: New Zealand–India trade agreement
- Negotiating
- Concluded
- Signed
- Ratifying
- In force
Signed on 27 April 2026 and ratified by both sides. Entry into force is set for 20 October 2026.
When it applies: 20 October 2026, the date announced by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
| Garment from India | Duty today, best rate available now | Under the agreement, once in force (not yet) |
|---|---|---|
| Dresses | 10% | 0% |
| Kaftans | 10% | 0% |
| Skirts | 10% | 0% |
| Scarves and stoles | 10% | 0% |
0% from 20 October 2026: New Zealand removes tariffs on Indian goods from the day the agreement enters into force. The goods need proof of Indian origin under the agreement's rules of origin.
Latest
- Confirmed MFAT confirms entry into force on 20 October 2026 and that tariffs on Indian goods are removed from that day. NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Confirmed = an official government or EU source. Reported = press only; not yet in an official text.
- MFAT: New Zealand–India FTA, key outcomes — mfat.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
- MFAT: New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement — mfat.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
Kaftans made in India pay 10% import duty in New Zealand. GST of 15% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.
Duty on kaftans by fabric
| Fabric | Standard duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.42 | 10% |
| Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.44 | 10% |
| Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.43 | 10% |
| Silk, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 10% |
| Linen, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 10% |
| Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.42 | 10% |
| Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.44 | 10% |
| Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.43 | 10% |
| Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.42 | 10% |
| Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.43 | 10% |
| Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.49 | 10% |
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) | NZD 10,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Customs duty (standard MFN)10% × customs value | NZD 1,000.00 |
| GST (15%)15% × (Customs value (FOB) + international freight + insurance + duty) | NZD 1,747.50 |
| Duty and charges payablenot recoverable | NZD 1,000.00 |
| Total at import incl. GSTGST is usually recoverable if you are registered | NZD 2,747.50 |
Customs value is FOB (transaction value when loaded in the country of export). International freight and insurance are excluded from customs value but ARE included in the GST base. Customs/MPI goods levies from 1 Apr 2026 are flat per-consignment NZD amounts (e.g. high-value air consignment NZ$51.81 + GST), not a % of value, so no % fee is listed.
Worked example
Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at NZD 10,000 with NZD 600 freight and NZD 50 insurance. Customs value: NZD 10,000.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): NZD 1,000.00. GST (15%): NZD 1,747.50. Duty and charges payable: NZD 1,000.00. Total at import incl. GST: NZD 2,747.50. Change the inputs above to model your own order.
New Zealand–India FTA: 0% on Indian goods from 20 October 2026
Signed and ratified · applies from 20 October 2026 · not yet in force
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade states that tariffs will be removed on Indian goods imported into New Zealand from the day the agreement enters into force, 20 October 2026. Until then garments from India pay New Zealand's normal 10%.
How your shipment gets the lower rate
From 20 October 2026, claim the agreement rate on the import entry with proof of Indian origin under the agreement's rules of origin; confirm the exact origin document with your customs broker before shipping.
NZ import GST 15%
GST of 15% is charged on the price paid + international freight, postage and insurance + import duty. Customs collects duty, levies and GST only when the consignment exceeds NZ$1,000 (not for alcohol and tobacco).
Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration
A GST-registered business claims the import GST as input tax on its return, supported by the Customs import entry or statement; approved importers may defer import GST.
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
- Canada — 16–18% duty
- Switzerland — 0% duty
Other garments into New Zealand
- Dresses — 10% duty
- Skirts — 10% duty
- Scarves and stoles — 10% duty
Sources
- NZ Customs Working Tariff Document, Section XI (Ch 50-63), PDF dated Dec 2025 — customs.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
- NZ Customs: Duty and allowances (GST base) — customs.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
- MFAT: New Zealand–India FTA, key outcomes — mfat.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
- MFAT: New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement — mfat.govt.nz. Checked 2026-10-07.
- IRD: Input tax available for imported goods — taxtechnical.ird.govt.nz. 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.
