What is the import duty on cotton saree 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 saree 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 saree 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 saree fabric (HS 52081120) from the UAE to India

HS 52081120 · 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 saree fabric (HS 52081120) 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 saree fabric carries a 10% MFN basic customs duty, zero under CEPA with a valid Certificate of Origin. Sarees are split across chapters by fibre — this cotton line sits at 10% while silk saree fabric sits at 20% — so the fibre content on the invoice drives the duty more than the garment name does. IGST is 5%. Origin requires a sub-heading change plus 40% value addition on FOB, meaning the fabric must be woven in the UAE rather than transhipped. Blended sarees above the cotton-predominance threshold classify elsewhere entirely. 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 52081120 on ICEGATE or CBIC before filing.

Import compliance & clearances

Beyond duty, importing cotton saree fabric (HS 52081120) 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 saree 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 saree 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 saree 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.