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HS 851712, 851713, 851714

Import Duty on Mobile Phones in India (2026): 22%–26.4% + IGST

Smartphones imported into India are classified under HS heading 8517 and attract one of the most-searched duty rates in the country, because a US or Dubai iPhone price often looks tempting until customs is added. Cellular phones carry a combined customs duty in the mid-20s percent range, while cordless landline sets are duty-free, so the exact 8-digit code matters.

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Live tariff

HS-code duty rates for mobile phones

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 codeDescriptionCustoms dutyIGST
85171200Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks26.4%BCD 20%AIDC 4%SWS 2.4%18%
85171300Smartphones22%BCD 20%SWS 2%18%
85171400Other Telephones For Cellular Networks Or For Other Wireless Networks22%BCD 20%SWS 2%18%
85171211Mobiles Phone, Other Than Push Button Type26.4%BCD 20%AIDC 4%SWS 2.4%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 60,000 of mobile phones costs to land in India

Step by step, using the representative rate for this category (26.4% duty on HS 85171200, 18% IGST). Your exact rate depends on the precise HS code in the table above.

Mobile Phones (goods value)
INR 60,000
International freight (illustrative, 10% of goods)
INR 6,000
Assessable value (CIF = goods + freight)
INR 66,000
Customs duty (26.4% of CIF, HS 85171200)
INR 17,424
IGST (18% of CIF + duty)
INR 15,016
Estimated landed cost
INR 98,440

Note for businesses: the IGST portion (INR 15,016 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 mobile phones

  • One phone carried on your person as a used personal device is generally not charged, but a new boxed phone in baggage above the INR 50,000 free allowance is dutiable at the flat baggage rate.

  • Phones shipped by courier are assessed on CIF value at the full tariff rate plus 18% IGST - there is no duty-free de minimis for e-commerce imports into India.

  • Imported phones must support Indian LTE bands and the IMEI must be registered; grey-market units risk being blocked on Indian networks.

  • Wireless devices technically require WPC/ETA approval, though self-declaration covers most consumer Bluetooth and WiFi devices.

What we ship

Popular mobile phones imports

iPhone 16 Pro

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Google Pixel 9

OnePlus 13

Nothing Phone

Sony Xperia

Asus ROG Phone

Mobile Phones import questions, answered

How much customs duty do I pay on an iPhone imported to India?+
A smartphone shipped to India by courier is charged the combined customs duty on its CIF value (price plus freight), and 18% IGST is then applied on the duty-inclusive amount. On a typical flagship the total tax bill usually adds 40-50% to the sticker price, which is why imported flagships rarely beat Indian retail prices after tax.
Can I carry a new iPhone from Dubai or the US without paying duty?+
You can carry one phone for personal use, and a used phone you travel with is normally waved through. A brand-new boxed phone above the INR 50,000 duty-free baggage allowance is chargeable at the flat baggage rate of about 38.5% if customs stops you, and carrying several new phones is treated as commercial import.
Will a US-model phone work on Indian networks?+
Mostly yes for global variants, but check Indian LTE/5G band support before buying (bands n78, B40, B3 matter most). Also note that US-model iPhones use eSIM only, and warranty on grey imports is not honoured by Indian service centres.
Why is import duty on phones so high in India?+
The tariff is deliberately protective: India wants phones assembled locally under the PLI scheme, so fully built imported units carry a high basic customs duty while many phone components enter at lower rates. That policy gap is exactly what makes locally made phones cheaper than imports.

Related duty guides

Import duty on laptops & computers

HS 8471

Import duty on tablets & ipads

HS 847130

Import duty on smartwatches

HS 851762

All India duty categoriesImport cost calculatorShip to India with iWishBag

Import mobile phones 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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