Importing a Laser Cutting Machine into India

In short: India charges anti-dumping duty of up to 147.20 % of CIF value on Chinese-origin industrial laser machines.

The rate depends on the producer, so the name of the factory can matter more than the basic customs duty. Notification 15/2023-Customs (ADD) covers cutting, marking and welding machines. For basic duty and IGST on your machine, please verify with Indian customs or a licensed broker.

The anti-dumping duty: read this first

India's Ministry of Finance issued Notification No. 15/2023-Customs (ADD) on 22 December 2023 (source 1). Its main points:

Goods: industrial laser machines used for cutting, marking or welding, in fully assembled, SKD or CKD form.
Tariff items: 84561100, 84569090, 84798199, 85152190, 85158090 and 90132000.
Origin: China PR, exported from any country. Shipping through a third country does not remove it.
Rate: a percentage of CIF value, set by producer. Named producer groups range from nil to 90.49 %, most are between 22.54 % and 90.49 %, and all others pay 147.20 %.
Duration: five years from publication in the Official Gazette, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier.

A later notification, No. 04/2026-Customs (ADD) of 8 April 2026, is reported to have changed one producer's name, not the rates (source 2). Duties can change, so check the current text before you buy.

What to ask the seller	Why
Who is the exact producer, by legal name?	The rate is set by producer, and the 147.20 % line catches anyone not named
Where is the machine actually made?	The notification applies to China-origin goods exported from any country
Does the producer's name match the notification exactly?	Trading companies and brand names are not the producer
Who pays the duty, and what is the Incoterm?	A low ex-works offer can hide a large landed cost

Prepared by Halcyon Laser from source 1. This is not legal or customs advice.

This applies to any China-origin machine, whoever sells it, including us. Ask us for the producer and origin of the exact machine before you compare offers. If it falls under the notification, the duty belongs in your cost calculation from day one.

Basic duty, IGST and what to verify

Third-party tariff sites list figures for 84561100, but we do not repeat them here: please verify basic customs duty, social welfare surcharge and IGST with Indian customs or a licensed customs broker, for your exact tariff item and origin. Trade agreements can change the rate for some origins. Ask your broker how anti-dumping duty and IGST are calculated together, because the order matters for your landed cost.

Used machines

A second-hand machine is not an easy way around this. The notification does not mention used machines, so ask your broker how it applies. India's Foreign Trade Policy has its own rules on second-hand capital goods, in paragraph 2.31, and you should verify these with the DGFT or an adviser. See our guide to used vs new fiber laser cutters.

Compare against local machines

The duty exists because domestic industry complained of injury from dumped imports (source 1). So India has local machine builders, and they do not pay this duty. If you are comparing a China-built import, get a local quotation too, and compare landed cost, service and spare parts. It would be wrong for us to tell you an import is always the better choice here.

Site checks

Power: have your electrician confirm voltage, frequency, capacity and stability. A 20–40 kW system needs a dedicated supply; see power requirements.
Assist gas: check nitrogen supply, or compare air cutting (see the gas guide).
Service: we have no service office in India. Agree remote support, spare parts and visits in writing.
Heat and dust: ask for the chiller's rated ambient temperature, and place it in a ventilated space.

Steel prices are a separate matter

Anti-dumping duty on machines is separate from steel trade measures, which affect your material cost. See our note on India's steel import policy.

Before you sign

Get the legal producer name and origin in writing.
Read the current anti-dumping notification for that producer.
Get basic duty, surcharge and IGST in writing from a licensed broker.
Compare landed cost with a local machine.
Agree on installation, service and spare parts in the contract.

Send your parts and site details through our enquiry form; the duty assessment stays with your broker and customs.

Frequently asked questions

Is there anti-dumping duty on laser cutting machines in India?

Yes. Notification 15/2023-Customs (ADD) applies duty to Chinese-origin industrial laser machines for cutting, marking or welding, at rates set by producer, up to 147.20 % of CIF value.

Does shipping through another country avoid the duty?

No. The notification covers goods of China origin exported from any country. Machines made outside China are outside that line, so origin and producer must be documented.

What is the HS code for a laser cutter in India?

The notification lists 84561100 among its tariff items, along with others for marking and welding. Confirm the item for your exact machine with a licensed broker.

What is the basic customs duty on a laser cutter in India?

We do not quote it, because third-party sites are not official and rates change. Please verify basic duty, surcharge and IGST with Indian customs or a licensed broker.

How long does the duty last?

Five years from publication in the Official Gazette, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier. The notification is dated 22 December 2023. Check the current text before buying.

Next step

Machines related to this article:

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Sources

Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Notification No. 15/2023-Customs (ADD), 22 December 2023 (copy on CA Alley) — www.caalley.com (accessed 2026-11-01)
CA Club India, “Amendment in Anti-Dumping Duty Notification on Industrial Laser Machines (China PR)”, on Notification No. 04/2026-Customs (ADD) — www.caclubindia.com (accessed 2026-11-01)

Importing a laser cutting machine into India: check anti-dumping duty first