Export Duty Calculator

Calculate export duty payable and net realisable value on your shipment

Export Duty Calculator

About Export Duties in India

Most Indian exports are zero-rated (no export duty). However, certain products like raw materials, ores, and agricultural commodities attract export duty to discourage raw material export and promote value-added manufacturing.

Current Products with Export Duty: Iron ore, raw cotton, raw hides & leather, certain non-basmati rice varieties, pet coke, and selected minerals. Always verify the current rate on the ICEGATE portal or with your CHA.

What is an Export Duty Calculator?

An Export Duty Calculator is a free online tool that helps Indian exporters instantly calculate the export duty payable on their shipment and the net realisable amount after deducting that duty. Rather than manually looking up duty rates and computing figures on a spreadsheet, you simply enter your FOB (Free On Board) value and the applicable duty rate — and the tool gives you the exact amount due in seconds.

India levies export duty on a limited but important set of commodities — primarily raw materials and agricultural goods — to encourage value-added manufacturing within the country. If your product falls under any of these categories, understanding and calculating your export duty correctly is not optional; it directly impacts your pricing, profitability, and compliance.

Which Products Attract Export Duty in India?

Most Indian export products are zero-rated — meaning no export duty is applicable. However, the following categories currently carry export duties under the Indian Customs Tariff Act:

  • Iron Ore & Pellets — 50% export duty to protect domestic steel industry
  • Raw Cotton — 10% to support domestic textile mills
  • Raw Hides, Skins & Wet Blue Leather — 60%, pushing exporters toward finished goods
  • Non-Basmati Rice — 20% (varies by variety and government order)
  • Molasses — 50%
  • Certain minerals and ores — rates vary from 10% to 30%

Export duty rates can change through budget announcements or emergency government notifications. Always verify the latest applicable rate on ICEGATE or with your Customs House Agent (CHA) before finalising the shipment.

How to Use This Export Duty Calculator — Step by Step

  1. Enter your product name or HS Code (optional) — this helps you reference the correct product for your own records.
  2. Use the Quick Select dropdown to pick a common product like Iron Ore or Raw Cotton — the duty rate will auto-fill for you.
  3. Enter the FOB Value in Indian Rupees. FOB value is the invoice value at the port of export, excluding freight and insurance costs.
  4. Enter or confirm the Export Duty Rate — for custom products, type the percentage manually.
  5. Add Other Costs like freight, CHA fees, or documentation charges if you want a complete net realisable picture.
  6. Click Calculate — the tool instantly shows duty amount, education cess, total duty payable, and your net realisable amount.

Why Export Duty Affects Your Profitability More Than You Think

Export duty is calculated on the FOB value of the shipment — not the cost price. This means if you export ₹10,00,000 worth of iron ore at 50% export duty, you owe ₹5,00,000 in duty alone. That's a massive cost that must be factored into your selling price before you accept an order. Many first-time exporters make the mistake of quoting international buyers without accounting for this.

Additionally, unlike GST (which is refundable for exporters), export duty is a non-refundable cost. Once paid, it is not recoverable. This makes accurate pre-calculation critical — use this tool alongside the Profit Margin Calculator before quoting your buyer.

Export Duty vs Import Duty — Key Differences

Feature Export Duty Import Duty
Who paysIndian exporterIndian importer
PurposeProtect raw materials for domestic useProtect domestic industries from imports
CoverageVery limited — select commodities onlyBroad — applies to most imports
RefundableNoVia duty drawback in some cases
Calculated onFOB valueCIF value (cost + insurance + freight)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is export duty the same as GST on exports?
No. GST on exports is zero-rated — exporters can export without paying GST by filing a Letter of Undertaking (LUT), or claim a full GST refund if GST was paid. Export duty, on the other hand, is a separate customs levy on specific commodities and is never refunded.
Where do I pay export duty?
Export duty is paid at the time of filing the Shipping Bill on the ICEGATE portal. Your Customs House Agent (CHA) typically handles this on your behalf. Payment is made through the ICEGATE payment gateway before customs clearance.
Can I pass export duty to the buyer?
Technically yes — you can price it into your FOB quote. However, if you're exporting iron ore at 50% duty, your price will be far less competitive than buyers sourcing from duty-free countries. This is exactly why India discourages raw material exports through high duty rates.
What if I export a processed/finished version of the raw material?
Finished goods generally attract zero or much lower export duty. For example, exporting finished leather goods (bags, shoes) is duty-free, while raw wet-blue leather attracts 60%. This is by design — India wants you to add value and then export. Check the specific HS code for your finished product on ICEGATE.

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