Other

Cotton sewing thread with 85% or more cotton content

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5204 11 90 (cotton sewing thread, ≥85% cotton, other) is subject to import-policy controls administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) import policy. A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country is mandated under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy to certify the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes.

What this is

HSN code

5204 11 90

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dyes), Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before the consignment is shipped.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Testing is waived only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; all other origins must present the PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report at the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption applies broadly because the supplier is a well-known manufacturer. The exemption is strictly country-of-origin based, not supplier-based; a consignment originating from a non-listed country will be detained at port if it arrives without a valid PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report, regardless of the supplier's credentials or the volume of prior shipments.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5204 11 90 require BIS certification?

No, cotton sewing thread is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 to certify the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement for this HSN?

Only imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report.

Is a test report from a domestic laboratory acceptable in place of a PSIC from the exporting country?

Yes, a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted as an alternative to a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, provided it certifies the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes as required under General Note 10.

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