Saree

Plain weave cotton saree, lightweight woven fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 11 20 (Saree) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The azo-dye testing obligation applies to imports from all origins except a specified list of nine countries.

What this is

HSN code

5208 11 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
ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all exporting countries except the 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 at the bill of entry stage and confirm origin-based exemption status before filing. For consignments from the nine exempt origins, retain documentary evidence of origin; customs may require proof that the claimed exemption applies.
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 that a country-of-origin certificate alone satisfies the azo-dye exemption. The exemption under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 is origin-specific and limited to nine named countries; imports routed through a free-trade zone, transshipped via a non-exempt country, or accompanied by documents suggesting a different manufacturing origin can lose the exemption, leaving the consignment liable to detention pending a PSIC.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 11 20 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton sarees are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10.

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

The EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC.

What happens if a PSIC is not obtained before shipment from a non-exempt origin?

Without a valid PSIC confirming azo-dye absence, the consignment is liable to detention at the port of import pending compliance; post-shipment remediation is not permitted under General Note 10, making pre-shipment testing the only compliant path.

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