The cost to order shawls from India to USA is made up of five 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 US import duty under HTS heading 6214, at 1.2% to 11.3% depending on fibre. On top of that, Indian goods have carried an extra 10% Section 301 tariff since 24 July 2026. The last part is a small customs processing fee plus your broker’s clearance charge. For a wholesale air shipment of a few hundred pieces, a shawl or stole usually lands at about 1.3 to 1.5 times its ex-factory price.
Below, each part of the cost is broken down with real duty rates, freight bands by order size and a worked example you can reuse. For the full sourcing process, start with our wholesale shawl and stole buyer’s guide.
Cost of shawls
The product itself is the largest share of the cost to order shawls from India to USA. Indian manufacturers price by fibre, size, weave and finishing. These are typical ex-factory prices per piece for wholesale quantities in 2026. Use them to budget, 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. Browse our fine wool stoles, modal stoles and acrylic stoles to compare.
- 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, polybags and gift boxes are priced per piece. See private label shawls and scarves.
The weights matter too. Freight is charged per kg, and 100 fine wool stoles weigh around 17 to 20 kg packed, so you can estimate shipping before you ask for a quote.
Shipping: the biggest variable in the cost to order shawls from India to USA
Shipping is the part of the cost that changes most with order size. Small parcels go by express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex), 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 shipment saves real money.
| Shipment weight | Method | Indicative cost (USD/kg) | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 kg (about 100 stoles) | Express courier, door to door | 9 to 12 | 3 to 6 days |
| 21 to 45 kg | Express courier, door to door | 7 to 9 | 3 to 6 days |
| 45 to 100 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 5 to 6.50 | 5 to 8 days |
| 100 to 300 kg | Air cargo via forwarder | 4 to 5 | 5 to 8 days |
| 300 kg and above | Air cargo via forwarder | 3 to 4 | 5 to 8 days |
| 1,000 kg and above | Sea freight | Under 1, plus port charges | 30 to 45 days |
These rates are indicative for late 2026 and include fuel surcharges. Air cargo is usually quoted airport to airport, so add your US customs broker and local delivery. Rates rise from October to December, when holiday stock competes for space.
Carriers charge on whichever is higher: actual weight or volumetric weight. Folded shawls pack densely, but rigid gift boxes can tip the balance. Our article on shawl packaging for export explains how to keep cartons efficient.
DAP vs DDP shipping to the USA
The Incoterm you agree on decides who pays US duty and who deals with US Customs.
| DAP (Delivered at Place) | DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freight to your door | Paid by the supplier | Paid by the supplier |
| US duty, tariffs and customs fees | Paid by you, usually billed by the courier or broker on arrival | Paid by the supplier, built into the price |
| Importer of record | You | The supplier or its agent |
| Best for | Buyers with a broker or courier account who want to see each cost | First-time importers who want one fixed price to the door |
The US has no import VAT, so choosing DDP does not cost you a tax refund the way it can in Europe or Australia. The real trade-off is transparency against certainty. US tariffs on Indian goods changed several times in 2025 and 2026, so a DDP price usually includes a buffer for further changes. A DAP shipment shows you exactly what you paid. Our DDP shipping guide explains how a DDP shipment is cleared. Our article on Ex Works vs FOB pricing covers the other Incoterms.
One rule catches many small buyers out. The US suspended duty-free entry for parcels under USD 800 in August 2025, and the suspension is still in force. Every commercial shipment from India now pays duty, however small.
Tariffs and duties: how they add to the cost to order shawls from India to USA
Duty is the second-largest part of the cost to order shawls from India to USA after the product itself. Shawls, stoles and woven scarves fall under HTS heading 6214. You pay the normal duty rate for the fibre, plus the extra tariff on Indian goods.
| HTS code | Fibre | Base duty | Section 301 (India) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6214.10.10 | Silk, 70% or more | 1.2% | 10% | 11.2% |
| 6214.10.20 | Silk, other | 3.9% | 10% | 13.9% |
| 6214.20.00 | Wool or fine animal hair, including wool-silk blends where wool predominates | 6.7% | 10% | 16.7% |
| 6214.30.00 | Synthetic (acrylic, polyester) | 5.3% | 10% | 15.3% |
| 6214.40.00 | Artificial (viscose, modal) | 5.3% | 10% | 15.3% |
| 6214.90.00 | Cotton and other materials | 11.3% | 10% | 21.3% |
Where the extra 10% comes from. In 2025 the US imposed a 25% “reciprocal” tariff on Indian goods. In February 2026 a framework announced an 18% rate. Both relied on IEEPA powers, which the US Supreme Court ruled on 20 February 2026 could not be used for tariffs. A temporary 10% surcharge followed. Since 24 July 2026, Indian goods have carried a 10% Section 301 duty on top of normal duty. Confirm the current rate with your broker before you order, because it can change again.
Other US costs:
- Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of the goods value on formal entries, with a minimum and a maximum per entry.
- Harbor Maintenance Fee: 0.125%, sea freight only.
- Customs bond: needed for formal entries over USD 2,500. Couriers can arrange a single-entry bond.
- Broker or courier clearance fee: often USD 50 to 200 per shipment.
US duty is charged on the value of the goods, which normally excludes international freight. Getting the fibre content right on the invoice matters, because the fibre decides the rate. Our HSN code guide for shawls and stoles explains classification.
FTA status: does India have a trade deal with the USA?
| Agreement | Status (November 2026) | Effect on shawls |
|---|---|---|
| India–US free trade agreement | None in force | Full base duty applies |
| US–India interim trade framework | Announced February 2026, never signed or applied | No reduced rate |
| US GSP scheme | India removed in 2019 | No duty-free access |
With no trade deal in place, there is no duty discount to bring down the cost to order shawls from India to USA. Even so, India’s total rate on most shawls is at or below rival sourcing countries such as China, which pays a higher Section 301 rate on textiles. For a side-by-side comparison, see sourcing shawls from India vs China.
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 US buyers pay in USD by wire transfer or Wise. Wise is usually the cheapest option for small and mid-sized orders. Card payment is available for buyers who need it, 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 USA for 300 stoles
This example shows the full cost to order 300 fine wool stoles from India to the USA 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 5.50, door to door | 302.50 |
| Duty | 16.7% of 2,700 (6.7% + 10%) | 450.90 |
| MPF | Minimum per formal entry | about 34.00 |
| Clearance and bond | Courier disbursement | 120.00 |
| Total landed cost | 3,607.40 | |
| Per stole | 3,607.40 ÷ 300 | 12.02 |
The USD 9.00 stole lands at about USD 12.02, roughly 34% above the factory price. Doubling the order to 600 pieces would move the freight into a cheaper band and spread the fixed fees, so the cost per piece would drop. Our landed cost guide shows how to run these numbers for any order.
How to lower the cost to order shawls from India to USA
- Combine styles into one shipment to reach a cheaper per-kg band and pay clearance fees only once.
- Think about fibre and duty together. A silk-rich scarf pays much less duty than a cotton one.
- Make sure the fibre content on the invoice is correct. Misclassification can mean the higher rate now or penalties later.
- Order before peak season to avoid October to December freight surcharges.
- Use ready stock for top-ups and made-to-order for core styles. Our guide to ready stock vs made-to-order shawls explains how to combine both.
- Check your supplier is a real manufacturer, not a reseller adding a margin. See how to verify a shawl manufacturer in India.
Ordering from Savita Shawls
Savita Shawls is a Gurugram-based manufacturer and IEC-registered exporter shipping to buyers in more than 40 countries, including the USA. We supply the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin for every shipment, 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 we send shows the full cost to order shawls from India to USA, including carton weights, so there are no surprises when the goods arrive.
Read our wider guide to importing shawls from India to the USA, browse bulk order shawls and scarves, or request a quote in USD.
Shipping to other markets as well? Compare costs for Europe and Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost to order shawls from India to USA?
For a few hundred pieces shipped by air, expect to pay about 1.3 to 1.5 times the ex-factory price once freight, duty and customs fees are added. A USD 9.00 wool stole, for example, lands at around USD 12.
What is the US import duty on shawls from India in 2026?
Shawls fall under HTS 6214. The base duty runs from 1.2% for silk to 11.3% for cotton, and wool shawls pay 6.7%. Since 24 July 2026, Indian goods also pay a 10% Section 301 duty, so a wool shawl pays 16.7% in total.
Is there still a duty-free limit for small shipments to the USA?
No. Duty-free entry for shipments under USD 800 was suspended in August 2025 and is still suspended. All commercial shipments from India pay duty.
How much does it cost to ship 100 shawls from India to the USA?
100 stoles weigh about 17 to 20 kg packed and usually go by express courier at roughly USD 9 to 12 per kg. That comes to around USD 160 to 240 door to door, before duty. Heavier shawls cost more.
Is DDP or DAP better for US buyers?
DDP gives one fixed delivered price and suits first-time importers. DAP shows each cost separately and suits buyers with their own broker. With no import VAT in the US, the choice is mainly convenience versus transparency.
Does India have a free trade agreement with the USA?
No. As of November 2026 there is no signed India–US trade deal, so the standard duty plus the 10% Section 301 tariff applies.
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 3 to 8 days in transit by air.
