What is the import duty on cotton dhoti fabric from the UAE to India?

The standard MFN basic customs duty is 10%; under India–UAE CEPA the preferential rate is 0%. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 5% IGST applies on the CIF + BCD + SWS base.

How much can CEPA save on cotton dhoti fabric?

On a CIF value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹1,65,500 (MFN) to ₹50,000 (CEPA) — about ₹1,15,500 saved per shipment, scaling with consignment value.

What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on cotton dhoti fabric?

A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 10% MFN rate.

Import duty on Cotton dhoti fabric (HS 52081110) from the UAE to India

HS 52081110 · UAE to India · Woven fabrics of cotton

Data last updated: 23 July 2026 · 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

Component	Standard (MFN)	CEPA
Basic customs duty	₹1,00,000	₹0
Social Welfare Surcharge	₹10,000	₹0
IGST	₹55,500	₹50,000
Total duty	₹1,65,500	₹50,000

CEPA duty saving on this example: ₹1,15,500 . Run your own numbers in the import-duty estimator.

What drives the rate

Importing cotton dhoti fabric (HS 52081110) from the UAE to India attracts a standard MFN basic customs duty of 10%. Under the India–UAE CEPA the preferential basic customs duty is 0%. On a sample assessable value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹1,65,500 at the MFN rate to ₹50,000 with CEPA — a saving of ₹1,15,500 per shipment. Cotton dhoti fabric sits at a 10% MFN basic customs duty that CEPA reduces to 0%. India assigns dhoti its own eight-digit line inside heading 5208, so this is a narrower classification than generic cotton cloth — using the parent code instead is a common filing error that draws a query at assessment. IGST is 5%. Origin needs a sub-heading change plus 40% value addition, so UAE weaving from imported yarn typically qualifies while cutting and packing imported cloth does not. Light plain-weave cotton under 200 g/m² is the defining test for this heading. MFN and IGST are from ICEGATE; the preferential rate is India's CEPA Annex 2A schedule. Social Welfare Surcharge adds 10% on the basic duty and 5% IGST applies on top — though IGST is recoverable as input tax credit, so the lasting benefit is the basic-duty saving. Always confirm the live rate for HS 52081110 on ICEGATE or CBIC before filing.

Import compliance & clearances

Beyond duty, importing cotton dhoti fabric (HS 52081110) 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 ↗

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 cotton dhoti fabric from the UAE to India?: The standard MFN basic customs duty is 10%; under India–UAE CEPA the preferential rate is 0%. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 5% IGST applies on the CIF + BCD + SWS base.
How much can CEPA save on cotton dhoti fabric?: On a CIF value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹1,65,500 (MFN) to ₹50,000 (CEPA) — about ₹1,15,500 saved per shipment, scaling with consignment value.
What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on cotton dhoti fabric?: A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 10% MFN rate.