Import duty on kaftans from India to Saudi Arabia
Rates verified on · Updated
Kaftan in cotton, woven · India → Saudi Arabia
5% import duty
the standard rate; India has no trade agreement with lower garment duty here.
Plus 15% VAT at import, which VAT/GST-registered importers usually recover.
Full breakdown and calculator →Kaftans made in India pay 5% import duty in Saudi Arabia. VAT of 15% is added at import, recoverable by registered businesses.
Duty on kaftans by fabric
| Fabric | Standard duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton, wovenHS code 6204.42 | 5% |
| Viscose / rayon, wovenHS code 6204.44 | 5% |
| Polyester, wovenHS code 6204.43 | 5% |
| Silk, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 5% |
| Linen, wovenHS code 6204.49 | 5% |
| Cotton, knittedHS code 6104.42 | 5% |
| Viscose / rayon, knittedHS code 6104.44 | 5% |
| Polyester, knittedHS code 6104.43 | 5% |
| Cotton, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.42 | 5% |
| Viscose or polyester, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.43 | 5% |
| Silk or linen, woven — loose robe/cover-up cutHS code 6211.49 | 5% |
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 + freight + insurance (CIF) | SAR 10,650.00 |
|---|---|
| Customs duty (standard MFN)5% × customs value | SAR 532.50 |
| VAT (15%)15% × (CIF customs value + customs duty (+ excise and other charges, excluding VAT) | SAR 1,677.38 |
| Duty and charges payablenot recoverable | SAR 532.50 |
| Total at import incl. VATVAT is usually recoverable if you are registered | SAR 2,209.88 |
Customs value follows the GCC Common Customs Law: transaction value plus freight and insurance to the place of import (ZATCA VAT guideline s.4.4).
Worked example
Take a shipment of kaftans in cotton woven fabric (code 6204.42), invoiced at SAR 10,000 with SAR 600 freight and SAR 50 insurance. Customs value: SAR 10,650.00. Customs duty (standard MFN): SAR 532.50. VAT (15%): SAR 1,677.38. Duty and charges payable: SAR 532.50. Total at import incl. VAT: SAR 2,209.88. Change the inputs above to model your own order.
Trade agreement with India
India has no trade agreement in force with Saudi Arabia, so garments from India pay the general GCC rate.
Saudi import VAT 15%
VAT at 15% is charged on all imports. Taxable value = customs value (already includes freight and insurance to the Saudi port of entry) plus customs duty and any other charges, excluding VAT.
Getting it back with a VAT/GST registration
A VAT-registered importer of record deducts import VAT as input tax under the normal deduction rules, provided the goods are used in its taxable activity.
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
- Canada — 16–18% duty
- New Zealand — 10% duty
- Switzerland — 0% duty
Other garments into Saudi Arabia
- Dresses — 5% duty
- Skirts — 5% duty
- Scarves and stoles — 5% duty
Sources
- ZATCA Integrated Customs Tariff Inquiry — eservices.zatca.gov.sa. Checked 2026-10-07.
- ZATCA Guideline on Imports and Exports under VAT Provision — zatca.gov.sa. 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.
