Embroidery cotton thread

Embroidery cotton thread put up for retail sale

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5204 20 30 (Embroidery cotton thread) is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. The PSIC must originate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or carry a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

5204 20 30

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Import declaration 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 the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before the consignment departs. This applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Upload the PSIC or test report in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments from exempt origins (EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom) must still comply with all other ITC (HS) conditions applicable to textile and textile articles.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The azo-dye testing exemption is origin-specific and does not extend to all developed-country suppliers: only the nine listed countries qualify, and a PSIC from an unaccredited or non-listed laboratory — even for an otherwise exempt origin — will be rejected at the bill of entry. Importers sourcing from multiple origins in a single consignment must ensure each component of the shipment carries origin-appropriate documentation; a single non-compliant origin line can detain the entire consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5204 20 30 require BIS certification?

No, embroidery cotton thread is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the General Note 10 requirement for a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

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

Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only; all other ITC (HS) conditions for textile articles remain applicable per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Can a test report from any laboratory substitute for the PSIC?

No. The test report must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or by the Textile Committee or CSRTI specifically; a report from an unaccredited or unrecognised laboratory does not satisfy the General Note 10 requirement and will result in detention at the port of import.

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