HS 8525

Import Duty on Cameras & Lenses in India (2026): 0%–26.4% + IGST

Digital cameras and camcorders under HS heading 8525 span one of the widest duty ranges in Indian consumer electronics - from 0% on some transmission-apparatus lines to 26.4% on consumer digital cameras. Mirrorless bodies and lenses from Japan or the US are among the most common iWishBag camera requests.

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Live tariff

HS-code duty rates for cameras & lenses

The duty column is the combined customs rate (BCD plus AIDC and SWS, all charged on the assessable value); IGST is then applied on the duty-inclusive amount.

HS code	Description	Customs duty	IGST
85255000	Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku	8.87%BCD 7.5%AIDC 0.56%SWS 0.81%	18%
85256000	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Incorporating Reception Apparatus	0%	12%
85258000	Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders	26.4%BCD 20%AIDC 4%SWS 2.4%	18%
85258100	Television Cameras, Digital Cameras: Writing Speed Exceeding 0.5 Mm Per Microsecond; Or Time Resolut	22%BCD 20%SWS 2%	18%
85258200	Television Cameras, Digital Cameras: Radiation-Hardened Or Radiation-Tolerant Television Cameras, Di	22%BCD 20%SWS 2%	18%
85258300	Television Cameras, Digital Cameras: Covers Night Vision Television Cameras, Digital Cameras And Vid	22%BCD 20%SWS 2%	18%
85258900	Television Cameras, Digital Cameras: Other	22%BCD 20%SWS 2%	18%
85255010	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Not Incorporating Reception Apparatus :	8.25%BCD 7.5%SWS 0.75%	18%
85255020	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Not Incorporating Reception Apparatus :	8.25%BCD 7.5%SWS 0.75%	18%
85255030	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Not Incorporating Reception Apparatus :	8.25%BCD 7.5%SWS 0.75%	18%
85255040	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Not Incorporating Reception Apparatus :	8.25%BCD 7.5%SWS 0.75%	18%
85255090	Transmission Apparatus For Radio-Broadcasting Or Television, Not Incorporating Reception Apparatus :	8.25%BCD 7.5%SWS 0.75%	18%

Rates are the tariff we apply when quoting real shipments; anti-dumping duty, where notified for a specific product and origin, is charged in addition.

Worked example

What INR 1,50,000 of cameras & lenses costs to land in India

Step by step, using the representative rate for this category (8.25% duty on HS 85255010, 18% IGST). Your exact rate depends on the precise HS code in the table above.

Cameras & Lenses (goods value): INR 1,50,000
International freight (illustrative, 10% of goods): INR 15,000
Assessable value (CIF = goods + freight): INR 1,65,000
Customs duty (8.25% of CIF, HS 85255010): INR 13,613
IGST (18% of CIF + duty): INR 32,150
Estimated landed cost: INR 2,10,763

Note for businesses: the IGST portion (INR 32,150 here) is creditable as input tax credit if you are GST-registered; the customs duty portion is not. Freight is illustrative - use the calculator for a quote with real shipping on your actual item.

Before you order

What to know about importing cameras & lenses

Consumer digital still cameras typically attract the top-of-range combined duty; broadcast and transmission equipment lines in the same heading can be 0%.
Lenses are classified separately under Chapter 90 and carry their own duty - do not assume the camera-body rate applies to glass.
A camera you travel with (body plus a lens or two, used) is a personal effect; a sealed retail kit is dutiable above the baggage allowance.
Professional gear imported temporarily for shoots can use an ATA Carnet to avoid duty entirely.

What we ship

Popular cameras & lenses imports

Sony A7 IV

Fujifilm X100VI

Canon EOS R6

Nikon Z6 III

GoPro Hero 13

Insta360 X4

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Cameras & Lenses import questions, answered

How much is import duty on a mirrorless camera in India?+

Consumer digital cameras attract a combined customs duty of about 26.4% including cesses, plus 18% IGST on the duty-inclusive value - a total tax load of roughly 49% on the CIF value. That is why Indian camera prices track well above US and Japanese prices.

Is the Fujifilm X100VI cheaper to import from Japan?+

Japanese street prices are often 15-25% below Indian MRP, but after 26.4% duty and 18% IGST the landed price usually ends up close to Indian retail. Importing makes sense mainly for models with long Indian waitlists or configurations not sold locally.

Do camera lenses attract the same duty as bodies?+

No - photographic lenses are classified under Chapter 90 (heading 9002) with their own rate, so a body-plus-lens shipment is assessed as two tariff lines. Ask us to quote both lines up front rather than assuming a blended rate.

Can I carry a new camera through the airport instead?+

One used camera outfit is a personal effect and not charged. A new boxed body above the INR 50,000 free allowance is chargeable at about 38.5% flat on the excess if declared - which for premium bodies is worse than the courier route with proper invoicing.

Related duty guides

Import duty on televisions

HS 85287

Import duty on monitors & projectors

HS 85284, 85285, 85286

Import duty on gaming consoles

HS 9504

All India duty categories Import cost calculator Ship to India with iWishBag

Import cameras & lenses without customs surprises

Send us the product link. We quote goods, freight, the exact per-HSN duty and IGST as one all-in landed price - then buy, ship and clear it for you.

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