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HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5208 11 30

Shirting fabrics

Plain weave cotton shirting fabrics, lightweight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 11 30 (Shirting fabrics) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Consignments originating outside a defined list of exempt countries must comply with azo-dye testing requirements per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What this is
HSN code
5208 11 30
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. 1
    Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited 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 ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    Ensure the PSIC or test report is uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry. Customs out-of-charge will not be granted for non-exempt origin consignments without verified documentary evidence of azo-dye absence.
    General Note 10 of 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 to all developed-country origins. The exemption is limited to exactly nine named jurisdictions — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom — and imports from any other country, including those with bilateral trade agreements, require a full PSIC from an accredited laboratory. Shipping without the PSIC for a non-exempt origin invites consignment detention and ground rent at the port of entry.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5208 11 30 require BIS certification?
No, plain weave cotton shirting fabrics are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.
Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?
Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023, azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom only; all other origins must provide a PSIC from an accredited laboratory.
Does the azo-dye exemption remove all PSIC requirements for exempt-origin consignments?
The exemption covers azo-dye testing only; any other PSIC parameters required under General Note 10 for textile and textile articles remain applicable regardless of the country of origin.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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