US Import Duty on India Products (2026 HTS Rate Guide)
TL;DR: India enjoys a major duty advantage over China for US importers — no Section 301 surcharge, modest base HTSUS rates, and predictable classification. This guide breaks down 2026 duty rates by category, explains how India compares to China and Vietnam, and shows how to minimize total landed cost.
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Base US Duty Rates for Indian Goods (2026)
Most US imports from India fall into one of these HTS rate bands:
Cotton apparel: 8.4–16.5% (Chapter 61, 62)
Home textiles (bedding, towels): 6.7–9.0% (Chapter 63)
Wool & silk garments: 12.0–17.5%
Leather goods & handbags: 4.5–8.0% (Chapter 42)
Wood furniture: 0% (Chapter 94) — duty free
Jewelry (silver, gold-plated): 5.0–6.5% (Chapter 71)
Spices, tea, coffee: 0–2.5% (Chapter 9)
Generic pharmaceutical APIs: 0% (Chapter 30)
Hand-knotted carpets: 0% (Chapter 57)
Most handicrafts: 0–3.4%
India vs China Duty Comparison (Why India Wins in 2026)
The China side now carries Section 301 List 1–4 surcharges of 7.5–25% on top of base HTSUS. India carries zero Section 301 — making it 10–30 percentage points cheaper for most categories.
Cotton apparel: India 8–16% total vs China 33–41% total
Furniture: India 0% vs China 25%
Bedding: India 7% vs China 32%
Handbags: India 6% vs China 31%
Pet accessories: India 4% vs China 29%
GSP & Special Programs
India lost GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) status in June 2019 and has not been restored as of 2026. However, India still benefits from:
Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rates on all HTS codes
No anti-dumping duty on most consumer categories (check specific HTS)
Section 321 de minimis ($800/parcel/day) for direct-to-consumer parcels
Free Trade Zone (FTZ) deferral if importing for re-export
How to Minimize Total Landed Cost
Answer: Duty is rarely the largest line item — but small classification wins compound across thousands of POs.
Duty is rarely the largest line item — but small classification wins compound across thousands of POs.
Get a binding HTS ruling from CBP for high-volume SKUs (free, takes 30 days)
Use First Sale for Export valuation when sourcing through an India agent — duty calculated on factory-to-agent price, not agent-to-you
Bundle multi-SKU LCL shipments under a single entry to spread brokerage fee
Consider DDP via India agent — predictable per-unit landed cost, no surprise demurrage
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does India have a free trade agreement with the USA?
No comprehensive FTA exists as of 2026, but bilateral trade dialogue is active. India is NOT on the Section 301 list, so Chinese-style surcharges do not apply.
Is India still under GSP duty-free treatment?
No — India was removed from GSP in June 2019. Most India imports now pay standard MFN HTS rates, which are still far lower than China + Section 301.
What's the duty on cotton T-shirts from India?
Standard HTS 6109.10.0012 is 16.5%. The China equivalent carries 16.5% + 7.5% Section 301 List 4A = 24%, making India ~7.5 points cheaper before freight savings.
Do I need a US customs broker for India shipments?
Yes for any commercial shipment over $2,500. Broker fees run $150–$400 per entry. Most India sourcing agents (including us) can arrange a broker or quote DDP.
Can I use HTSUS 9802 to reduce duty on India-assembled goods?
Yes if the article contains US-origin components shipped to India for processing — duty is calculated only on India value-added, not the full FOB. Requires careful documentation.
How do I get started with Small World India?
Send us your product specs or reference images via the contact form. Within 48 hours we shortlist 3 vetted factories with FOB pricing, MOQ, and lead times — at no cost.
What is the typical MOQ for sourcing from India?
MOQs range from 100 units (jewelry, handicrafts) to 5,000+ units (textiles, packaging). We negotiate flexible MOQs for first orders and combine SKUs across factories when needed.
How does Small World India ensure product quality?
Every order includes factory audit, mid-production inspection, and pre-shipment AQL 2.5 inspection by our in-house QC team. You receive photos, videos, and a full inspection report before shipment leaves the port.
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