The total cost of ordering wholesale shawls from India has five parts: the price of the shawls, international shipping, any import duty in your country, local taxes such as VAT or GST, and customs clearance. For a typical air shipment of a few hundred pieces, a shawl or stole lands at roughly 1.15 to 1.5 times its ex-factory price, depending on where you are. Australia and the UK sit at the low end because duty is zero under their trade agreements with India. The USA sits at the high end.
Below, each cost is broken down so you can budget accurately before you ask for a quote.
Cost of shawls
Indian ex-factory prices depend on fibre, size, weave and finishing. These are typical wholesale ranges per piece in 2026. Use them for budgeting, 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.
- Quantity per design. Larger runs per style and colour bring the unit price down.
- Finishing. Fringes, embroidery, crystals and prints add cost.
- Branding and packaging. Woven labels, hangtags, polybags and gift boxes are priced per piece.
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.
Cost of shipping (per kg cost goes down as volume increases)
Shipping is the cost that changes most with order size. 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 shipment is the easiest way to save.
| Shipment weight | Method | USA (USD/kg) | Europe (EUR/kg) | Australia (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 kg (about 100 stoles) | Express courier | 9 to 12 | 7 to 10 | 8 to 11 |
| 21 to 45 kg | Express courier | 7 to 9 | 5.50 to 7.50 | 6 to 8.50 |
| 45 to 100 kg | Air cargo | 5 to 6.50 | 4 to 5.50 | 4.50 to 6 |
| 100 to 300 kg | Air cargo | 4 to 5 | 3.30 to 4.50 | 3.50 to 5 |
| 300 kg and above | Air cargo | 3 to 4 | 2.60 to 3.60 | 3 to 4 |
| 1,000 kg and above | Sea freight | Under 1, plus port charges | Under 1, plus port charges | Under 1, plus port charges |
These rates are indicative for late 2026 and include fuel surcharges. Express courier is door to door. Air cargo is usually quoted airport to airport, so add customs clearance and local delivery. Transit is about 3 to 7 days by courier, 5 to 9 days by air cargo and 25 to 45 days by sea. Rates rise from October to December.
DAP vs DDP shipping
The Incoterm you agree on decides who pays the import duty and taxes.
| DAP (Delivered at Place) | DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freight to your door | Paid by the supplier | Paid by the supplier |
| Import duty | Paid by you on arrival | Paid by the supplier, built into the price |
| Import VAT or GST | Paid by you, and usually reclaimable if you are registered | Built into the price, and usually not reclaimable |
| Importer of record | You | The supplier or its agent |
| Best for | VAT- or GST-registered businesses | First-time importers who want one fixed price |
How to choose:
- Europe, UK and Australia: if your business is registered for VAT or GST, DAP is usually cheaper. You pay the tax at the border and claim it back. Under DDP it is built into the price and normally lost.
- USA: there is no import VAT, so the choice is about convenience. DDP gives one delivered price. DAP shows every cost separately.
Tariffs and duties
Shawls, stoles and woven scarves are classified under HS heading 6214. The duty rate depends on the fibre and the destination country.
| Market | Duty on shawls from India | Import tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 1.2% to 11.3% base duty (wool 6.7%), plus a 10% Section 301 duty | No VAT | Wool shawl total is 16.7%. Duty-free entry for parcels under USD 800 ended in August 2025. |
| European Union | 8% (silk 6.3%) | VAT 17% to 27% by country | GSP preferences suspended for Indian textiles from 2026 to 2028 |
| United Kingdom | 0% with proof of Indian origin | VAT 20% | Under the India–UK CETA |
| Australia | 0% with ECTA certificate of origin (5% without) | GST 10% | Orders up to A$1,000 generally clear without duty or GST at the border |
| Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | Check national tariff | Local VAT | Under the India–EFTA TEPA |
A few rules to know:
- The EU charges duty on the CIF value, meaning the goods plus freight and insurance. The USA and Australia charge duty on the value of the goods only.
- Get the fibre content right on the invoice. The fibre decides the duty rate, and misclassification can lead to extra duty or penalties.
- Ask for a certificate of origin for UK and Australian orders. Without it, you lose the 0% rate.
FTA status (country wise)
| Country or region | Trade agreement with India | Status (November 2026) | Effect on shawls |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | India–UK CETA | In force since 15 July 2026 | 0% duty with proof of origin |
| Australia | India–Australia ECTA | In force since 29 December 2022; all tariff lines at zero from 1 January 2026 | 0% duty with certificate of origin |
| European Union | India–EU FTA | Concluded 27 January 2026; signing targeted for December 2026; entry into force expected in 2027 | 8% applies until in force, then textiles set to be duty-free |
| Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | India–EFTA TEPA | In force since 1 October 2025 | Reduced or zero duty, depending on country |
| UAE | India–UAE CEPA | In force since May 2022 | Preferential access for Indian textiles |
| USA | None | No trade deal signed; February 2026 framework never applied | Standard duty plus 10% Section 301 |
| Canada | None in force | Negotiations ongoing | Standard duty applies |
Payment terms
Savita Shawls keeps payment simple and the same for every market.
| 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 |
How it works:
- Your first five orders are paid in full in advance. There is no credit check or paperwork, so your order moves straight to packing or production once payment arrives.
- From your sixth order, you pay 50% up front. The remaining 50% is paid once the goods are produced and packed, before they are dispatched.
- Wire transfer is best for larger orders. Ask your bank to send with “OUR” charges so the full amount arrives.
- Wise is often the cheapest option for small and mid-sized orders, with low fees and close to mid-market exchange rates.
- Card payment is available through a payment gateway that accepts leading credit cards. A gateway charge is added to the invoice.
- Pay in USD or EUR, whichever your business already earns in, to avoid an extra currency conversion.
Worked example: 300 fine wool stoles by air
Illustrative figures only, not a quote. The table assumes stoles at USD 9.00 each (EUR 8.30 for Europe) and 55 kg of freight, shipped DAP.
| Destination | Product | Freight | Duty | Clearance and fees | Landed per stole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | USD 2,700 | USD 302 | USD 451 (16.7%) | USD 154 | about USD 12.02 |
| Netherlands (EU) | EUR 2,490 | EUR 248 | EUR 219 (8%) | EUR 150 | about EUR 10.36, excluding reclaimable VAT |
| Australia | USD 2,700 | USD 275 | 0 | USD 180 | about USD 10.52, excluding claimable GST |
Get an exact quote
Tell us the styles, quantities, destination country and whether you want DAP or DDP. We will send a proforma invoice in USD or EUR, with carton weights so you can check the freight yourself. Savita Shawls is an IEC-registered manufacturer and exporter in Gurugram, shipping to buyers in more than 40 countries. We supply the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin you need for duty-free clearance where it applies.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to import shawls from India?
For a few hundred pieces shipped by air, expect the landed cost to be about 1.15 to 1.5 times the ex-factory price. The difference depends mainly on import duty in your country and the size of your shipment.
Which countries can import Indian shawls duty-free?
The UK and Australia, under the India–UK CETA and the India–Australia ECTA, as long as the shipment has proof of Indian origin. The EU is expected to follow once the India–EU FTA comes into force.
What are your payment terms?
The first five orders are paid 100% in advance. From the sixth order, terms are 50% advance and 50% before dispatch.
How can I pay?
By wire transfer or Wise, or by credit card through a payment gateway at extra cost. We accept USD and EUR.
How fast will my order ship?
Ready stock is dispatched the next day after payment. Made-to-order shawls and stoles are produced in 15 working days.
Is DAP or DDP better?
VAT- or GST-registered businesses in Europe, the UK and Australia usually save with DAP, because they can reclaim the import tax. DDP suits first-time buyers who want one fixed delivered price.
