The cost to order shawls from India to Europe is made up of four main parts. The first is the price of the shawls. The second is air freight, which gets cheaper per kg as the order grows. The third is EU customs duty of 8% on most shawls (6.3% for silk). The fourth is import VAT at 17% to 27%, depending on the country, which VAT-registered businesses can normally reclaim. For a wholesale air shipment of a few hundred pieces, shawls usually land in the EU at about 1.25 to 1.4 times the ex-factory price, before VAT. In the UK, Indian shawls now enter at 0% duty under the India–UK trade agreement, in force since 15 July 2026.
Below, each cost is broken down, with the differences between the EU and the UK and a full worked example. For the complete sourcing process, start with our wholesale shawl and stole buyer’s guide.
Cost of shawls
The product is the largest part of the cost to order shawls from India to Europe. Ex-factory prices depend on fibre, size, weave and finishing. The ranges below are typical 2026 wholesale prices per piece, shown in euros because most European buyers budget that way. Use them for planning, not as a quote.
| Product type | Typical size | Approx. weight | Typical price (EUR/piece) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic and acrylic jacquard stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 180 to 220 g | 2.30 to 4.60 |
| Viscose and modal stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 120 to 160 g | 2.80 to 6.50 |
| Fine wool and silk blend stoles (80/20) | 70 x 200 cm | 150 to 180 g | 6.50 to 13.00 |
| Embroidered, crystal or zari border stoles | 70 x 200 cm | 180 to 250 g | 7.50 to 16.50 |
| Wool shawls | 100 x 200 cm | 250 to 350 g | 9.00 to 20.00 |
| Pashmina blend shawls | 100 x 200 cm | 200 to 300 g | 14.00 to 32.00 |
What moves the price most:
- Fibre. Wool, silk and Pashmina blends cost several times more than acrylic or viscose. Compare our fine wool stoles, modal stoles and silk scarves.
- 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 compliance. European buyers often need care labels in local languages, REACH test reports and retail packaging. Ask for these to be included in the quote so you compare like with like. See private label shawls and scarves and our guide to REACH compliance and azo-free dyes.
The weights matter for freight. 100 fine wool stoles weigh around 17 to 20 kg packed, so you can estimate shipping before you ask for a quote.
Shipping: how freight affects the cost to order shawls from India to Europe
Delhi has direct cargo links to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, London and other hubs, so air freight to Europe is quick and competitive. 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.
| Shipment weight | Method | Indicative cost (EUR/kg) | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 kg (about 100 stoles) | Express courier, door to door | 7 to 10 | 3 to 5 days |
| 21 to 45 kg | Express courier, door to door | 5.50 to 7.50 | 3 to 5 days |
| 45 to 100 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 4 to 5.50 | 5 to 7 days |
| 100 to 300 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 3.30 to 4.50 | 5 to 7 days |
| 300 kg and above | Air cargo via forwarder | 2.60 to 3.60 | 5 to 7 days |
| 1,000 kg and above | Sea freight to Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp | Under 1, plus port charges | 25 to 35 days |
These rates are indicative for late 2026 and include fuel surcharges. Air cargo is usually quoted airport to airport, so add customs clearance and local delivery. Expect higher rates from October to December. Combining several styles into one heavier shipment is the easiest way to cut freight per piece. Our article on shawl packaging for export explains how to keep carton weight and size efficient.
DAP vs DDP: which keeps the cost to order shawls from India to Europe lower?
In Europe, the choice between DAP and DDP has a tax angle that doesn’t exist in the US.
| DAP (Delivered at Place) | DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freight to your door | Paid by the supplier | Paid by the supplier |
| Customs duty | Paid by you on arrival | Paid by the supplier |
| Import VAT | Paid by you, and usually reclaimable if you are VAT-registered | Built into the supplier’s price, and usually not reclaimable |
| EORI number needed | Yours, as importer | The supplier’s or its agent’s |
| Best for | VAT-registered shops and wholesalers | Small buyers who are not VAT-registered, or anyone who wants one fixed price |
For most VAT-registered businesses, DAP is the cheaper choice. You pay import VAT at the border and recover it on your next VAT return, so it affects cash flow but isn’t a real cost. Under DDP the VAT is built into the supplier’s price and is lost to you. Our DDP shipping guide explains when DDP still makes sense, and our article on Ex Works vs FOB pricing covers the other Incoterms.
Tariffs and duties in the EU and UK
European Union
Duty is the biggest variable in the cost to order shawls from India to Europe, and it depends on which side of the Channel your business is. Shawls and stoles fall under CN heading 6214. From 1 January 2026, the EU suspended GSP preferences for Indian textiles until the end of 2028, so Indian shawls currently pay the full standard rate.
| CN code | Fibre | EU duty (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 6214 10 | Silk | 6.3% |
| 6214 20 | Wool or fine animal hair | 8% |
| 6214 30 | Synthetic fibres (acrylic, polyester) | 8% |
| 6214 40 | Artificial fibres (viscose, modal) | 8% |
| 6214 90 | Cotton and other | 8% |
EU duty is charged on the CIF value: the goods plus freight and insurance to the EU border. Import VAT is then charged on the CIF value plus duty, at your country’s standard rate.
| Country | Standard VAT |
|---|---|
| Germany | 19% |
| France | 20% |
| Italy | 22% |
| Spain | 21% |
| Netherlands | 21% |
| Range across the EU | 17% to 27% |
Getting the fibre content right on the invoice matters, because it decides the duty rate. Our HSN code guide for shawls and stoles explains classification.
United Kingdom
Since the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on 15 July 2026, Indian textiles enter the UK duty-free. Before that, they paid rates of up to 12%. To claim 0%, the shipment needs proof of Indian origin from the exporter. UK import VAT of 20% still applies and is reclaimable for VAT-registered businesses. See our guide to importing shawls and scarves from India to the UK.
FTA status by country
| Market | Agreement with India | Status (November 2026) | Duty on Indian shawls now |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union (27 countries) | India–EU FTA | Concluded 27 January 2026; signing targeted for December 2026; entry into force expected in 2027 | 6.3% to 8% (GSP suspended) |
| United Kingdom | India–UK CETA | In force since 15 July 2026 | 0% with proof of origin |
| Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | India–EFTA TEPA | In force since 1 October 2025 | Check national tariff; Switzerland charges no duty on industrial goods |
Once the India–EU FTA comes into force, textiles and apparel are set to become duty-free from day one. That would remove the 8% duty and noticeably reduce the cost to order shawls from India to Europe for EU retailers. Until then, include 8% in your pricing.
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 |
Most European buyers pay in EUR, which avoids a currency conversion at their end. UK buyers can pay in EUR or USD through their bank or Wise. Wise is usually the cheapest option for small and mid-sized orders. 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 Europe for 300 stoles
This example shows the full cost to order 300 fine wool stoles from India to the Netherlands by air, on DAP terms. The figures are illustrative only, not a Savita Shawls quote.
| Item | Basis | EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Product | 300 stoles x EUR 8.30 (80% wool, 20% silk) | 2,490.00 |
| Air freight | 55 kg x EUR 4.50 | 247.50 |
| CIF value | Product + freight | 2,737.50 |
| Customs duty | 8% of CIF | 219.00 |
| Clearance and local delivery | Broker fee and van | 150.00 |
| Landed cost excluding VAT | 3,106.50 | |
| Per stole | 3,106.50 ÷ 300 | 10.36 |
| Import VAT (reclaimable) | 21% of (CIF + duty) | 620.86 |
The EUR 8.30 stole lands at about EUR 10.36 before VAT, roughly 25% above the factory price. The same order to the UK would skip the EUR 219 duty under CETA, bringing the cost per piece closer to EUR 9.60. Our landed cost guide shows how to run these numbers for any order.
How to lower the cost to order shawls from India to Europe
- Buy DAP if you are VAT-registered, so import VAT stays reclaimable.
- Combine styles into one shipment to reach a cheaper per-kg band and pay clearance only once.
- Ship UK orders with proof of origin so they clear at 0% under CETA.
- Plan large EU orders around the FTA. Once it’s in force, seasonal orders could save the full 8%.
- Sort out labels and REACH tests before shipping, not after goods are held at customs.
- 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 trader 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 buyers across the EU, the UK and more than 40 countries in total. We supply the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin needed for EU and UK clearance, and we can quote DAP or DDP to your door. 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 Europe, including carton weights, so you can check freight yourself.
Browse bulk order shawls and scarves, read about shawl exporters in India, or request a quote in EUR.
Buying for other markets too? Compare costs for the USA and Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost to order shawls from India to Europe?
For a few hundred pieces shipped by air to the EU, expect about 1.25 to 1.4 times the ex-factory price once freight, 8% duty and clearance are added, before VAT. UK orders cost less because duty is 0% under CETA.
What is the EU import duty on shawls from India?
Most shawls and stoles under CN heading 6214 pay 8% EU duty, and silk shawls pay 6.3%. Indian textiles lost GSP preferences from 1 January 2026, so the full rate applies until the India–EU FTA comes into force.
Is the India–EU free trade agreement in force?
Not yet. Negotiations concluded on 27 January 2026. Signing is targeted for December 2026 and entry into force is expected in 2027, after which textiles are set to enter duty-free.
Do shawls from India pay duty in the UK?
No, as long as the shipment has valid proof of Indian origin. The India–UK CETA, in force since 15 July 2026, removed UK duty on Indian textiles. UK import VAT of 20% still applies.
Should a European retailer buy DAP or DDP?
VAT-registered retailers usually do better with DAP, because they pay import VAT themselves and can reclaim it. Under DDP the VAT is built into the supplier’s price and normally can’t be recovered.
How long does shipping from India to Europe take?
Express courier takes about 3 to 5 days, and air cargo 5 to 7 days. Sea freight to Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp takes around 25 to 35 days.
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 EUR or USD.
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 3 to 7 days in transit by air.
