Other

Plain weave cotton fabric, lightweight (not more than 100 g/m2)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 11 90 (plain weave cotton fabric weighing not more than 100 g/m2) 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 azo-dye absence under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Imports from origins outside a specified exemption list must be accompanied by a valid test report from an accredited laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5208 11 90

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye testing), Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited laboratory
Test report from Textile Committee
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

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 the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Upload all mandatory documents in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments from non-exempt origins presented without the azo-dye test report are liable to detention pending compliance.
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 applies universally. The exemption covers nine specified origins only — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — and a consignment from any other country arriving without a valid Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate will be detained at the port of import, accruing demurrage and ground rent until the documentation deficiency is rectified.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 11 90 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton fabrics under this tariff line fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement?

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 provide a PSIC or valid test report from an accredited or Textile Committee laboratory.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption for specified origins waive all pre-shipment inspection requirements?

The exemption covers azo-dye testing only; other applicable ITC (HS) policy conditions and General Note requirements under Chapter 52 remain in force regardless of the country of origin.

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