Hotel terry towels and bed linen from India (HS 6302.60) carry import duty of about 19.4% in the USA (9.4% MFN + 10% Section 301), 12% in the EU, 0% in the UK under CETA, 5% in Australia and the GCC, and 18% in Canada - as of October 2026. Switzerland charges 0% (industrial tariffs abolished 2024); Japan 0% under CEPA.
By Dr Abin Babu, Founder & Chairman · Facts last reviewed
Import tariff rates for hotel towels and bed linen from India. USA, EU, UK, Australia, GCC, Canada - HS codes, MFN rates, GSP programs, and FTA status.
Rates as of 2026. Always verify with your customs broker for the current rate applicable to your specific HS code sub-heading.
| Country | HS Code | MFN Rate | Preferential Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 6302.60 | 9.4% | None; +10% Section 301 since Jul 2026 | No FTA with India; GSP revoked 2019 |
| 🇪🇺 European Union (27) | 6302.60 | 12% | None in 2026-28 (India GSP on textiles withdrawn) | India-EU FTA concluded Jan 2026, not yet in force |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 6302.60 | 12% | 0% under India-UK CETA | CETA in force since 15 July 2026 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 6302.60 | 5% | Preferential under ECTA 2022 | India-Australia ECTA signed April 2022 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 6302.60 | 18% | CPTPP not applicable (India not member) | India-Canada CEPA under negotiation |
| 🇦🇪 UAE / GCC | 6302.60 | 5% | GCC CET 5% (standard) | UAE-India CEPA (2022): preferential rates |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 6302.60 | 5% | GCC CET 5% | UAE-India CEPA may apply via Dubai |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 6302.60 | 0–6.4% | Norwegian GSP low/zero for India | Non-EU; Norway GSP is advantageous |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 6302.60 | 0% | 0% (no industrial tariff) | Switzerland abolished industrial tariffs on 1 Jan 2024 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 6302.60 | 8.4% | India-Japan CEPA: 0% or reduced | India-Japan CEPA in force |
Disclaimer: Tariff rates are informational only. Consult a licensed customs broker for duty calculations specific to your shipment.
Landed cost = FOB price + sea/air freight + marine insurance + destination customs duty + customs brokerage fee + local delivery. Typical sea freight from Cochin: USD 800–1,200 per 20-foot container to most destinations.
To claim preferential duty rates (CETA, ECTA, CEPA), you need the origin proof each agreement asks for: a bilateral Certificate of Origin for CEPA and ECTA, or a self-certified statement on origin for the UK CETA. Anabyn provides CO documentation with each export shipment.
FOB: buyer pays freight + duty. CIF: buyer still pays import duty but freight/insurance included in seller's price. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): seller pays all including import duty. Anabyn typically quotes FOB Cochin.
HS codes for hotel linen: Terry towels (hotel bath towels, hand towels, face cloths): HS 6302.60 - Toilet linen and kitchen linen of terry towelling. Hotel bath robes: HS 6107 or 6108 (men's/women's). Hotel bed sheets: HS 6302.21 (100% cotton flat/fitted sheets). Hotel duvet covers: HS 6302.22 (cotton) or 6302.29 (other). Pillow cases: HS 6302.31 (cotton). Tablecloths/napkins: HS 6302.51 (cotton tablecloths) and 6302.53 (table napkins). Note: HS codes are internationally harmonised at 6-digit level; 8-10 digit codes vary by country.
USA import duty on hotel towels from India: Terry towels (HS 6302.60): MFN tariff 9.4% ad valorem. India lost US GSP in June 2019, and since 24 July 2026 a 10% Section 301 duty applies on top of MFN. Hotel towels from India therefore attract about 19.4% in total. On a $3.00/towel FOB price, this adds approximately $0.58 per towel in US customs duty, plus US customs brokerage and ISF filing fees.
EU import duty on hotel linen from India: Terry towels (HS 6302.60): EU MFN rate 12%. Hotel bed sheets (HS 6302.21/22): EU MFN rate 12%. India's EU GSP preference on textiles is withdrawn for 2026-2028, so the reduced GSP rate (about 9.6%) no longer applies. India and the EU concluded their Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026; once it enters into force, hotel linen should drop towards 0%. Currently: EU importers pay 12% MFN duty on Indian hotel linen.
UK import duty on hotel towels from India (post-Brexit): Terry towels (HS 6302.60): UK Global Tariff rate 12%. UK-India FTA negotiations: The UK-India Free Trade Agreement has been in negotiation since 2022. When concluded, hotel textiles may qualify for 0% preferential UK duty. Until then, UK importers pay 12% standard tariff on hotel towels and bed linen from India - same as the EU MFN rate. Note: UK importers can import hotel linen via third-country bonded warehouse (e.g., Netherlands) with deferred duty payment.
Australia import duty on hotel linen from India: Most hotel textiles (HS 6302 codes): Australia MFN tariff 0% or 5% depending on sub-heading. Terry towels (HS 6302.60): 5% Australian MFN rate. Hotel bed sheets: 0–5%. Australia operates a GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 10% on imported goods including hotel linen - this is applied on (FOB + freight + insurance + duty) × 10%. Australia and India signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in April 2022 - under ECTA, hotel textiles from India benefit from preferential (often 0%) duty rates.
Anabyn provides FOB Cochin pricing and full export documentation including Certificate of Origin for preferential duty claims.
Request FOB QuoteRelated pages
US Duty Drawback on Textiles
How US importers reclaim duty on re-exported towels and bed linen.
EU Import Duty on Indian Textiles
MFN rates, GSP preferential rates, HS codes for towels and bed linen 2026.
GSP Scheme for Indian Textiles Guide
Why EU GSP and UK DCTS no longer cut duty on Indian textiles, and what replaced them.
How to Import Sheets & Towels from India
MOQs, costs, lead times, customs and shipping for first-time importers.
Official references
Duty rates, HS codes and certification rules change. Check them with the issuing body before you order.
