Indian cotton of staple length exceeding 20.5mm (26/32") but not exceeding 24.5mm (30/32")

Indian cotton bales, staple 20.5 mm to 24.5 mm

HSN 5201 00 13 (Indian cotton of staple length exceeding 20.5 mm but not exceeding 24.5 mm, not carded or combed) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 12171:2019 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 27 August 2026, by virtue of the Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023. Directorate General of Foreign Trade textile import policy controls apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

1. 1
   Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 12171:2019 for cotton bales. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, staple-length range, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
   Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023 · S.O. 2996(E) dated 03-07-2025 · S.O. 948(E) dated 28-02-2023
2. 2
   Ensure every cotton bale bears the ISI standard mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the bale identification tag or wrapping, not on commercial documentation alone.
   Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 3557(E) dated 07-08-2023 · S.O. 3830(E) dated 28-08-2023
3. 3
   Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI, certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing.
   General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
4. 4
   Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry, supported by the PSIC and certificate of origin. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or staple-length-scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
   Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5. 5
   If the consignment originates in Bangladesh, verify whether the goods fall within the port restrictions introduced under paragraph 19 of the general notes to the ITC (HS) 2022 import policy. Goods outside the documented carve-outs are restricted to specified ports of entry.
   DGFT Notification 7/25-26 dated 17-05-2025