Import duty on Helium (HS 28042910) from the UAE to India
HS 28042910 · UAE to India · HYDROGEN
Data last updated: · MFN duty & IGST verified against ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI). CEPA preferential rate per the India–UAE CEPA schedule. Verify your exact HS line before filing.
Duty breakdown on a ₹10,00,000 shipment
Enter your own value to recalculate the table below.
| Component | Standard (MFN) | CEPA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic customs duty | ₹50,000 | ₹0 |
| Social Welfare Surcharge | ₹5,000 | ₹0 |
| IGST | ₹1,89,900 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Total duty | ₹2,44,900 | ₹1,80,000 |
CEPA duty saving on this example: ₹64,900 . Run your own numbers in the import-duty estimator. New to BCD, SWS and IGST? See the glossary.
What drives the rate
Importing helium (HS 28042910) from the UAE to India attracts a 5% MFN basic customs duty, and the India–UAE CEPA preferential rate is 0%. Helium is a genuinely scarce, strategically supplied gas used in MRI cooling, semiconductor fabrication, leak detection and lifting — and India imports essentially all of it. CEPA removes the 5% basic duty. Unlike argon, helium is not made by local air separation; it is extracted from natural gas at a handful of global sources, so the 40% value-content rule rarely holds for UAE-routed material unless genuinely extracted there. This is the key trap: helium traded through the region does not become UAE-origin. Verify extraction source before claiming. IGST of 18% is creditable, so the durable benefit is the basic-duty saving. Confirm the live rate on ICEGATE before filing.
Import compliance & clearances
Beyond duty, importing helium (HS 28042910) into India requires the following regulatory clearances. The CEPA preferential rate does not waive any of these — they apply regardless of origin.
- DGFT Valid IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) required; ITC(HS) import policy: Free source ↗
- PESO Compressed and liquefied gases require a PESO licence for import and storage, approved cylinders or cryogenic vessels, and hazardous-cargo documentation. source ↗
Indicative and non-exhaustive — verify the current DGFT / BIS / FSSAI / CDSCO notification for your exact 8-digit HS line before importing. Not customs or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the import duty on helium from the UAE to India?
- The standard MFN basic customs duty is 5%; under India–UAE CEPA the preferential rate is 0%. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 18% IGST applies on the CIF + BCD + SWS base.
- How much can CEPA save on helium?
- On a CIF value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹2,44,900 (MFN) to ₹1,80,000 (CEPA) — about ₹64,900 saved per shipment, scaling with consignment value.
- What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on helium?
- A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 5% MFN rate.