Bleached

Bleached cotton yarn, 43 to 52 metric number count

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5205 13 20 (Bleached cotton yarn) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), including a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from specified countries only, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What this is

HSN code

5205 13 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report, certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except the exempted countries listed under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If importing from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, document the origin clearly at the bill of entry to rely on the azo-dye testing exemption. All other origins must submit the PSIC and test report; absence of either renders the consignment liable to detention.
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 exemption applies globally because the product itself is bleached. The exemption is strictly country-of-origin specific; a bleached yarn from a non-listed country requires the full Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate regardless of its appearance or processing. Failure to produce the PSIC for a non-exempted origin at the bill of entry results in consignment detention and potential re-export.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5205 13 20 require BIS certification?

No, cotton yarn in this count range is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) import policy, specifically the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10.

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

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC from an accredited laboratory confirming absence of prohibited azo dyes.

Does the bleached nature of the yarn affect the azo-dye testing obligation?

No. The testing obligation under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy is determined by the country of origin, not by the processing state of the yarn; bleached yarn from a non-exempted country still requires a conforming PSIC at the bill of entry.

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