Import duty from China to India: how it is calculated (2026)

One of the first questions every importer asks is simple: what will this shipment actually cost once it lands in India? The price on your supplier's invoice is only the starting point. Import duty, surcharges and GST are added at customs, and together they can raise your total landed cost to roughly 1.4 to 1.6 times the value of the goods. Understanding how that figure is built up helps you price correctly and avoid surprises at the port.

This guide explains the main components of Indian import duty on goods from China, how they stack on top of each other, and a worked example you can follow. The figures here are indicative; the exact rate depends on your product's classification, so always confirm before placing an order.

The building blocks of import duty

Indian customs duty is not a single number. It is made up of several charges applied in sequence:

• Basic Customs Duty (BCD): the base duty set by the Customs Tariff Act; the rate depends on the product's classification.
• Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): a surcharge calculated on the BCD amount.
• IGST (Integrated GST): charged on the value plus duty, at the GST slab that applies to the product.
• Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD): an additional duty on certain Chinese goods where it applies, such as some chemicals, steel and hardware.

How the calculation works, step by step

The charges are calculated on the assessable value, which is the CIF value of your shipment: the cost of the goods plus freight plus insurance to the Indian port.

• Step 1: Assessable value = cost of goods + freight + insurance (CIF).
• Step 2: BCD = BCD rate x assessable value.
• Step 3: SWS = 10% x BCD.
• Step 4: IGST = IGST rate x (assessable value + BCD + SWS).
• Step 5: Total duty = BCD + SWS + IGST.

How the charges stack up

The order matters. Duty is applied to the CIF value first, the surcharge is applied on top of that duty, and GST is then charged on the combined total. Because each layer builds on the one before it, two products with the same invoice price can land at very different final costs. That is why an accurate, product-specific estimate before you order is worth far more than a rough guess.

Why the HSN code decides everything

Every product is classified under an HSN (Harmonised System Nomenclature) code, and that code determines the BCD and IGST rates that apply. A small error in classification can mean paying the wrong duty, facing delays, or penalties during assessment. Getting the HSN right before you order is one of the most valuable things an experienced customs partner does for you.

Other charges to budget for

Beyond duty, a few additional costs apply once the cargo reaches an Indian port:

• Port handling and terminal charges
• Customs House Agent (CHA) and documentation fees
• Container detention or warehouse storage if clearance is delayed
• Inland transport from the port to your warehouse

How CI Pioneer Shipping helps

Our customs team classifies your goods, estimates duty accurately in advance, files the Bill of Entry through ICEGATE and clears your shipment quickly, so there are no surprises and no unnecessary storage charges.

• Correct HSN classification and duty estimation before you order
• Complete customs clearance and documentation in India
• BIS and regulatory compliance where required
• Clear, itemised landed-cost quotations

Know your landed cost before you order

Import duty looks complex, but it follows a predictable structure once you know the components. The safest way to plan is to confirm your product's HSN code and current rates before you buy. Send us your product details and we will prepare an accurate landed-cost estimate so you can order with confidence.