Import duty on self-tapping screws of iron or steel from Dubai (UAE) to India
HS 73181400 · Dubai / UAE → India · SCREWS
Data last updated: · MFN duty & IGST verified against ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI). CEPA preferential rate per the India–UAE CEPA schedule. Verify your exact HS line before filing.
Duty breakdown on a ₹10,00,000 shipment
Enter your own value to recalculate the table below.
| Component | Standard (MFN) | CEPA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic customs duty | ₹1,50,000 | ₹0 |
| Social Welfare Surcharge | ₹15,000 | ₹0 |
| IGST | ₹2,09,700 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Total duty | ₹3,74,700 | ₹1,80,000 |
CEPA duty saving on this example: ₹1,94,700 . Run your own numbers in the import-duty estimator. New to BCD, SWS and IGST? See the glossary.
What drives the rate
Importing self-tapping screws of iron or steel (HS 73181400) from the UAE to India attracts a 15% MFN basic customs duty, and the India–UAE CEPA preferential rate is 0%. Self-tapping screws are consumed in enormous volume by construction, roofing, appliance assembly and electrical work. CEPA removes the full 15% basic duty. The 40% value-content rule tests where the wire was drawn and the screw formed and heat-treated; regional distribution of Asian fasteners does not qualify, and this trade is dominated by exactly that. Steel products also fall under the Steel Quality Control Orders, which require BIS certification of the producing mill — a consignment from an uncertified mill is refused clearance whatever its origin status, so the mill question has to be answered before the preference question and conveniently answers both. Coating and corrosion-resistance claims are contractual and audited by the buyer rather than customs. Because fastener consignments are high-count and low-value per piece, the practical discipline is a standing manufacturer declaration and a routine Certificate of Origin rather than per-order negotiation; the annual saving on a fastener programme is considerable. India's schedule (Annex 2A, modality TEI) took this line to zero in the agreement's first year, 2022, so the preference is fully phased in and nothing further changes. The preference is worth 16.5% of assessable value on every consignment — the 15-point basic-duty gap plus the 10% Social Welfare Surcharge that rides on it — so it scales with shipment size rather than with effort, and the Certificate of Origin costs the same either way. Social Welfare Surcharge adds 10% on the basic duty, not on the goods, and IGST of 18% then applies to the CIF + BCD + SWS total — IGST is recoverable as input tax credit, so the durable benefit is the basic duty alone. Confirm the live rate on ICEGATE before filing; ₹10,00,000 is only the worked example above.
Import compliance & clearances
Beyond duty, importing self-tapping screws of iron or steel (HS 73181400) into India requires the following regulatory clearances. The CEPA preferential rate does not waive any of these — they apply regardless of origin.
- DGFT Valid IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) required; ITC(HS) import policy: Free source ↗
- BIS Steel and steel products fall under the Steel Quality Control Orders — BIS certification of the producing mill is required, and consignments from an uncertified mill are refused clearance. source ↗
Indicative and non-exhaustive — verify the current DGFT / BIS / FSSAI / CDSCO notification for your exact 8-digit HS line before importing. Not customs or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the import duty on self-tapping screws of iron or steel from the UAE to India?
- The standard MFN basic customs duty is 15%; under India–UAE CEPA the preferential rate is 0%. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 18% IGST applies on the CIF + BCD + SWS base.
- How much can CEPA save on self-tapping screws of iron or steel?
- On a CIF value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹3,74,700 (MFN) to ₹1,80,000 (CEPA) — about ₹1,94,700 saved per shipment, scaling with consignment value.
- What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on self-tapping screws of iron or steel?
- A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 15% MFN rate.