Other

Cotton sewing thread put up for retail sale

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5204 20 90 (cotton sewing thread, put up for retail sale) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes is mandated under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy for imports from most origins.

What this is

HSN code

5204 20 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
Import declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) 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. This requirement 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 valid test report in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Consignments presented without the requisite dye-testing documentation are liable to detention at the port of import pending production of compliant certification.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption covers all parameters of the PSIC — it does not. The exemption for EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom is limited to azo-dye testing only; the PSIC requirement for other composition or safety parameters under General Note 10 continues to apply to all origins. Presenting a PSIC that addresses only azo dyes while omitting other mandatory parameters results in bill-of-entry detention.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 5204 20 90 require BIS certification?

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

Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?

Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Is a test report from a Textile Committee laboratory acceptable in lieu of a PSIC from the exporting country?

Yes. A valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI laboratory is accepted as an alternative to a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

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