The cost to order shawls from India to Australia is lower than for most other major markets, because Indian textiles enter Australia at 0% customs duty under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The shipment needs an ECTA certificate of origin to get that rate. What you actually pay is the price of the shawls, air freight (which gets cheaper per kg as the order grows), customs clearance, and 10% GST, which GST-registered businesses can claim back. For a typical wholesale air shipment, shawls land at about 1.15 to 1.3 times the ex-factory price, excluding GST.
Below, each cost is broken down. The guide also explains when GST applies, how the A$1,000 rule works and what a full order really costs. For the complete sourcing process, start with our wholesale shawl and stole buyer’s guide.
Cost of shawls
With duty at zero, the product makes up most of the cost to order shawls from India to Australia. Ex-factory prices depend on fibre, size, weave and finishing. The ranges below are typical 2026 wholesale prices per piece in US dollars, the currency most Indian exporters invoice in. Use them for planning, not as a quote.
| Product type | Typical size | Approx. weight | Typical price (USD/piece) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic and acrylic jacquard stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 180 to 220 g | 2.50 to 5.00 |
| Viscose and modal stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 120 to 160 g | 3.00 to 7.00 |
| Fine wool and silk blend stoles (80/20) | 70 x 200 cm | 150 to 180 g | 7.00 to 14.00 |
| Embroidered, crystal or zari border stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 180 to 250 g | 8.00 to 18.00 |
| Wool shawls | 100 x 200 cm | 250 to 350 g | 10.00 to 22.00 |
| Pashmina blend shawls | 100 x 200 cm | 200 to 300 g | 15.00 to 35.00 |
What moves the price most:
- Fibre. Wool, silk and Pashmina blends cost several times more than acrylic or viscose. Compare our winter shawls in wool and Pashmina with our summer shawls in cotton and modal.
- Quantity per design. Larger runs per style and colour bring the unit price down.
- Finishing. Fringes, embroidery, crystals and prints each add cost.
- Branding and packaging. Woven labels, hangtags and gift boxes are priced per piece. See private label shawls and scarves.
Plan around the Australian seasons. Australian winter runs from June to August, so wool and Pashmina blend ranges need to land by April or May. Lightweight modal and viscose stoles sell through the summer. Ordering early also avoids paying for rush freight.
Shipping: how freight affects the cost to order shawls from India to Australia
Air freight from Delhi reaches Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, usually with one connection. Small orders go by express courier, door to door. Larger orders go as air cargo through a freight forwarder. Very large seasonal orders can go by sea. The heavier your shipment, the less you pay per kg, so combining several styles into one consignment is the easiest saving you can make.
| Shipment weight | Method | Indicative cost (USD/kg) | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 kg (about 100 stoles) | Express courier, door to door | 8 to 11 | 4 to 7 days |
| 21 to 45 kg | Express courier, door to door | 6 to 8.50 | 4 to 7 days |
| 45 to 100 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 4.50 to 6 | 5 to 9 days |
| 100 to 300 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 3.50 to 5 | 5 to 9 days |
| 300 kg and above | Air cargo via forwarder | 3 to 4 | 5 to 9 days |
| 1,000 kg and above | Sea freight to Sydney or Melbourne | Under 1, plus port charges | 25 to 40 days |
These rates are indicative for late 2026 and include fuel surcharges. Express courier rates are door to door. Air cargo is quoted airport to airport, so add a customs broker and local delivery. Delivery to regional areas outside the capital cities can cost more. Our article on shawl packaging for export explains how to keep cartons efficient.
DAP vs DDP: which keeps the cost to order shawls from India to Australia lower?
| DAP (Delivered at Place) | DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freight to your door | Paid by the supplier | Paid by the supplier |
| Customs duty (0% under ECTA) | Nil, if origin is proven | Nil, if origin is proven |
| GST and Import Processing Charge | Paid by you, and GST is claimable if you are registered | Paid by the supplier and built into the price; GST is usually not claimable |
| Best for | GST-registered retailers and wholesalers | Small buyers not registered for GST, or anyone who wants one fixed price |
Because duty is already zero, choosing between DAP and DDP in Australia mostly comes down to GST. If your business is registered for GST, DAP usually works out cheaper, because you pay the 10% at the border and claim it back on your BAS. Under DDP, the GST is built into the supplier’s price and you lose the credit. Our DDP shipping guide and our article on Ex Works vs FOB pricing cover the other options.
Tariffs and duties in Australia
Customs duty
Shawls and stoles fall under tariff heading 6214. Australia’s general duty rate on these goods is 5%. Under ECTA, Indian textiles have entered duty-free since the agreement came into force on 29 December 2022. From 1 January 2026, Australia also removed duty on every remaining tariff line for Indian goods.
| Situation | Duty on shawls |
|---|---|
| Indian origin, with ECTA certificate of origin | 0% |
| No valid proof of origin | 5% general rate |
The certificate of origin is what gets you the 0% rate, so make sure your supplier issues one with every shipment. Australian duty is calculated on the customs value, which is based on the price of the goods and excludes international freight and insurance. Getting the fibre content right on the invoice also matters. Our HSN code guide for shawls and stoles explains classification.
GST and other charges
- GST at 10% on the value of the taxable importation: the customs value, plus any duty, plus international transport and insurance.
- Import Processing Charge (IPC): a fixed fee set by the Australian Border Force for each import declaration on shipments above A$1,000.
- Customs broker fee: commonly A$80 to A$200 per formal entry. Express couriers include a disbursement fee instead.
- Biosecurity: new textiles don’t usually need treatment, but packaging must be free of soil, seeds and untreated timber.
The A$1,000 threshold
Shipments valued at A$1,000 or less generally clear without duty, GST or IPC at the border. Overseas sellers registered under Australia’s low value goods rules may charge GST at checkout instead, though GST-registered businesses that provide their ABN are generally not charged. Most wholesale orders go over A$1,000, so plan for a formal import declaration.
FTA status: India and Australia
| Agreement | Status (November 2026) | Effect on shawls |
|---|---|---|
| India–Australia ECTA | In force since 29 December 2022 | 0% duty on Indian textiles, with certificate of origin |
| ECTA final tariff stage | All Australian tariff lines at zero for Indian goods from 1 January 2026 | No phased duty left on any Indian product |
| India–Australia CECA (wider agreement) | Under negotiation | No change for textiles, which are already duty-free |
This trade agreement is the main reason the cost to order shawls from India to Australia is so competitive. ECTA gives Indian shawls a duty advantage over suppliers from countries without an Australian trade deal, and puts India level with Australia’s other FTA partners.
Payment terms
| Item | Terms |
|---|---|
| Orders 1 to 5 | 100% advance payment |
| Order 6 onward | 50% advance, 50% before dispatch |
| Payment options | Wire transfer, Wise (wise.com), or card through a payment gateway at extra cost |
| Currencies accepted | USD and EUR |
| Ready stock | Next-day dispatch after payment |
| Made-to-order shawls and stoles | 15 working days |
Australian buyers usually pay in USD. Wise is a popular choice because it converts from AUD at close to the mid-market rate, with low, visible fees. Card payment is available with a gateway charge added to the invoice. Full details are in our payment terms guide.
Worked example: the cost to order shawls from India to Australia for 300 stoles
This example shows the full cost to order 300 fine wool stoles from India to Melbourne by air, on DAP terms. The figures are illustrative only, not a Savita Shawls quote.
| Item | Basis | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Product | 300 stoles x USD 9.00 (80% wool, 20% silk) | 2,700.00 |
| Air freight | 55 kg x USD 5.00 | 275.00 |
| Customs duty | 0% under ECTA | 0.00 |
| IPC, broker and local delivery | Approximate | 180.00 |
| Landed cost excluding GST | 3,155.00 | |
| Per stole | 3,155 ÷ 300 | 10.52 |
| GST (claimable if registered) | 10% of goods + freight | 297.50 |
The USD 9.00 stole lands at about USD 10.52, only around 17% above the factory price. Without a certificate of origin, 5% duty would add another USD 135 to this shipment. Our landed cost guide shows how to run these numbers for any order.
How to lower the cost to order shawls from India to Australia
- Always ask for the ECTA certificate of origin. It’s the difference between 0% and 5% duty.
- Buy DAP if you’re GST-registered, so you can claim the GST back.
- Combine styles into one heavier shipment for a lower rate per kg and one set of clearance fees.
- Order winter ranges early so they land by April or May without rush freight.
- Keep packaging biosecurity-friendly to avoid inspection delays and fees.
- Use ready stock for top-ups and made-to-order for core styles. See ready stock vs made-to-order shawls.
- Buy direct from a manufacturer rather than a reseller adding a margin. Our guide on how to verify a shawl manufacturer in India shows what to check.
Ordering from Savita Shawls
Savita Shawls is a Gurugram-based manufacturer and IEC-registered exporter shipping to Australia and more than 40 other countries. We provide the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin you need for ECTA duty-free clearance, and we can quote DAP or DDP to your city. Ready stock leaves the next day after payment, and made-to-order shawls and stoles are produced in 15 working days. Every quote shows the full cost to order shawls from India to Australia, including carton weights, so you can check freight yourself.
Browse bulk order shawls and scarves, see our shawls and scarves for retailers, or ask for a quote delivered to your city.
Buying for other markets too? Compare costs for the USA and Europe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost to order shawls from India to Australia?
For a few hundred pieces shipped by air, expect about 1.15 to 1.3 times the ex-factory price once freight and clearance are added, excluding GST. Duty is 0% under ECTA with a certificate of origin.
Is there import duty on shawls from India to Australia?
No, as long as the shipment has an ECTA certificate of origin. Indian textiles have entered Australia duty-free since 29 December 2022. Without proof of origin, the general rate of 5% applies.
Do I pay GST on shawls imported from India?
Yes. 10% GST applies to imports valued above A$1,000, calculated on the customs value plus international freight and insurance. GST-registered businesses can usually claim it back.
How much does it cost to ship shawls from India to Australia?
Small express shipments up to 20 kg cost roughly USD 8 to 11 per kg door to door. Air cargo over 100 kg can fall to about USD 3.50 to 5 per kg. Sea freight is cheaper for 1,000 kg or more but takes 25 to 40 days.
What is the A$1,000 rule for imports?
Goods valued at A$1,000 or less generally clear without duty, GST or an import processing charge at the border. Above that, you need a formal import declaration and pay GST on import.
Should Australian buyers choose DAP or DDP?
GST-registered buyers usually save with DAP, because they pay GST at the border and claim it back. DDP suits small buyers who want a single delivered price.
What are the payment terms?
The first five orders are paid 100% in advance. From the sixth order, terms are 50% advance and 50% before dispatch. We accept wire transfer and Wise, or a credit card at extra cost, in USD or EUR.
How long does an order take?
Ready stock is dispatched the next day after payment. Made-to-order shawls and stoles take 15 working days to produce, plus about 4 to 9 days in transit by air.
