Measuring per single yarn less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number per single yarn)

Cotton yarn under 125 decitex, less than 85% cotton content

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5206 35 00 (cotton yarn containing less than 85% cotton, measuring less than 125 decitex per single yarn) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes is mandatory under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy for most origins.

What this is

HSN code

5206 35 00

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10, 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 certificate must accompany the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption: imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only are exempt from azo-dye testing. For all other origins, the PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report is mandatory without exception.
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 broadly because the exporting country is a developed market. The exemption is confined to the nine named countries; a consignment shipped from any other origin — including transit or re-export through an exempt country — remains subject to the full PSIC requirement. Presenting only a commercial certificate of analysis in place of the PSIC from an accredited laboratory does not satisfy General Note 10 and will result in consignment detention pending documentary compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5206 35 00 require BIS certification?

No, cotton yarn of this description falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. 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.

Which laboratories are authorised to issue the PSIC for azo-dye testing?

The certificate must come from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory in India, as specified in DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the azo-dye exemption apply to yarn transshipped through an exempt country such as the EU?

No. The exemption applies only to imports originating in the nine named countries; transshipment or re-export through an exempt country does not confer the exemption, and the PSIC remains mandatory for the non-exempt country of origin.

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