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Short answer: a 550 GSM hotel bath towel at $2.50 FOB Cochin lands at roughly $3.55 in Dubai, $3.99 in London, $4.40 in Hamburg, $4.32 in Sydney and $4.63 in New York, before VAT or GST. Duty is the reason Hamburg and New York cost more than London.
The towel and the order
- 70 x 140 cm white bath towel, 550 GSM, about 540 grams
- $2.50 per piece FOB Cochin, inside our published $2.20 to $2.80 band
- 2,000 pieces, so $5,000 of goods weighing about 1,080 kg
The five landed costs
| Per piece | Dubai | London | Hamburg | Sydney | New York |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOB Cochin | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| Sea freight (planning rate) | $0.97 | $1.35 | $1.29 | $1.72 | $1.51 |
| Import duty | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.45 | $0.00 | $0.49 |
| Clearing and broker | $0.08 | $0.14 | $0.15 | $0.10 | $0.13 |
| Landed, before VAT or GST | $3.55 | $3.99 | $4.40 | $4.32 | $4.63 |
Where each duty figure comes from
| Market | Rate used | Why |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 0 percent | India-UAE CEPA removes the 5 percent GCC tariff on qualifying lines, with a certificate of origin |
| UK | 0 percent | India-UK CETA, in force since 15 July 2026 |
| Germany | 12 percent on goods plus freight | India's GSP preference on textiles is withdrawn for 2026 to 2028, and the India-EU FTA is not yet in force |
| Australia | 0 percent | India-Australia ECTA, with proof of origin |
| USA | 19.6 percent on the FOB value | About 9.6 percent MFN on terry towels plus the 10 percent Section 301 duty in effect since 24 July 2026 |
Read these numbers correctly
- They are planning figures. Freight is the per-kg planning rate from our duty calculator, which suits part loads. A full container costs much less per kg, and rates change weekly.
- The zero rates have to be claimed. Without the right origin document, Dubai pays 5 percent and London 8 percent.
- VAT and GST are left out because most businesses recover them. They still affect your cash: 5 percent in the UAE, 20 percent in the UK, 19 percent in Germany, 10 percent in Australia.
- Confirm your tariff line with your broker. The US rate varies by the exact towel classification.
What the comparison tells you
- Freight is the largest add-on in every market. A fuller shipment is the first saving to look for.
- For an EU buyer, duty adds about 18 percent to the FOB price. See what 12 percent duty means for your price.
- For a UK, UAE or Australian buyer, the origin certificate is worth more than any price negotiation. See the document that decides whether you pay duty.
Run your own
Put your product, quantity and country into the import duty and FTA calculator. The method is explained in how to calculate landed cost. For an FOB and CIF price on your spec, ask us for a quote.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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