Import Duty & Landed Cost Calculator
Calculate CIF value, basic customs duty, IGST, and total landed cost for imports into India
Landed Cost Calculator
How Landed Cost is Calculated
What is an Import Duty & Landed Cost Calculator?
The Import Duty & Landed Cost Calculator helps Indian importers and export traders instantly calculate the total cost of bringing goods into India. It factors in CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS), IGST, and any additional levies — giving you the complete landed cost before you commit to purchasing from an overseas supplier.
Many importers underestimate their true sourcing cost by only looking at the overseas purchase price. By the time goods reach your warehouse in India, the actual cost can be 30–60% higher than the invoice value. This tool removes all surprises.
Understanding the Components of India's Import Duty Structure
When goods are imported into India, the total duty payable is calculated in layers — each on a progressively higher base value:
- CIF Value — the declared value of goods including freight and insurance paid to bring them to the Indian port
- Basic Customs Duty (BCD) — the primary tariff charged as a % of the CIF value. Rates vary widely by product and HS code.
- Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) — 10% of the BCD amount (levied on the duty, not on CIF)
- IGST (Integrated GST) — levied on (CIF + BCD + SWS) as the base. Rates are 5%, 12%, 18%, or 28% depending on product HSN code.
- Customs Handling Fee — a flat 1% on CIF value (applicable to most imports)
Unlike export duty, the IGST paid at customs can be claimed as Input Tax Credit (ITC) against your GST output liability — effectively making it recoverable if you're a registered GST taxpayer reselling or using the goods in business.
How to Use the Import Duty Calculator — Step by Step
- Enter the CIF Value — this is the overseas price + shipping + insurance. If your supplier quotes FOB, add your freight and insurance costs to get CIF.
- Enter the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) rate — find this on ICEGATE or in the Customs Tariff for your product's HS code.
- Enter the IGST Rate — 5%, 12%, 18%, or 28% based on your product's HSN code and GST rate notification.
- Add any other charges — handling fees, port charges, or CFS (Container Freight Station) costs.
- Click Calculate to see the complete duty breakdown and total landed cost.
Why Landed Cost Matters More Than Purchase Price
Consider this example: You import machinery parts from China at USD 10,000 (≈ ₹8.35 lakhs). With 15% BCD + 18% IGST, your total landed cost is approximately ₹11.8 lakhs — 41% more than the purchase price. If you sell these parts at ₹10 lakhs thinking you made money, you've actually made a loss.
Always calculate landed cost before deciding whether to import or source domestically. This calculator makes that decision easy and instant. Compare with the Profit Margin Calculator to see if there's a viable margin after all costs.
Import Duty for Common Product Categories
| Product Category | Typical BCD | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics / Mobile Phones | 20% | 18% |
| Machinery & Equipment | 7.5% | 18% |
| Textiles & Garments | 20% | 12% |
| Crude Oil | 0% | 5% |
| Pharmaceutical APIs | 0–10% | 12% |
| Steel & Metals | 15% | 18% |
Rates are indicative. Always verify the exact BCD and IGST for your specific HS code on ICEGATE before clearing goods.