Indian cotton of all staple length 34.5 mm and above (112/32”)

Indian extra-long-staple cotton bales, not carded or combed

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 12171

HSN 5201 00 19 (Indian extra-long-staple cotton of staple length 34.5 mm and above) 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.

What this is

HSN code

5201 00 19

Chapter

52 · Cotton

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 12171:2019 · effective 27-08-2026

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

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

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer or gin holding a current licence against IS 12171:2019 for cotton bales. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and licensed facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023 · S.O. 948(E) dated 28-02-2023 · S.O. 3557(E) dated 07-08-2023 · S.O. 3830(E) dated 28-08-2023
2
Ensure each cotton bale bears the standard mark under a BIS licence in accordance with Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the bale identification tag, not on outer packaging alone.
Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 2996(E) dated 03-07-2025
3
Accompany the consignment with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of 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
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry, supported by the PSIC or test report. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention, ground rent, and potential re-export.
Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
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 import policy. Goods outside the documented carve-outs are restricted to specified ports of entry.
DGFT Notification 7/25-26 dated 17-05-2025 · General Note 19 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming the BIS QCO enforcement date of 27 August 2026 provides a long runway, and therefore deferring CM/L verification of the overseas ginning facility. BIS Scheme-II of Schedule-II licensing under IS 12171:2019 requires a product-specific licence tied to the specific gin and bale-packing facility; a supplier switching ginning locations mid-contract cannot transfer an existing CM/L. Any consignment arriving on or after 27-08-2026 without a valid, facility-matched CM/L faces statutory detention and monetary penalty irrespective of pre-enforcement purchase commitments.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5201 00 19 require BIS certification?

Yes. Indian extra-long-staple cotton bales of 34.5 mm staple length and above must conform to IS 12171:2019 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory with effect from 27 August 2026 by virtue of the Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023.

Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate required in addition to BIS compliance?

Yes. The DGFT textile-import policy requires a PSIC from an accredited laboratory 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 but the broader PSIC requirement remains.

Which BIS scheme applies to cotton bales under IS 12171:2019?

Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 applies. This is distinct from the more common Scheme-I (ISI Mark) applicable to manufactured goods; importers must confirm the supplier's CM/L is issued specifically under Scheme-II.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all cotton grades and ginning facilities of the same supplier?

No. The CM/L is specific to the licensed manufacturing or ginning facility and the product scope defined in the licence; cotton from a different facility, or of a grade outside the licensed scope, is not covered and would trigger detention.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: BIS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.