Saree

Woven cotton saree, plain weave over 100 g/m2

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 12 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. Imports from countries outside a specified exemption list must accompany a valid test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5208 12 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee
ITC (HS) policy declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or valid test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Upload the test report or PSIC in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments arriving without the requisite azo-dye clearance from non-exempt origins 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 exemption extends to all developed-country origins. The exemption is exhaustive and limited to nine named countries — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom — and no analogical extension applies. Importers sourcing sarees from any other origin, including other ASEAN or South Asian suppliers, must present a PSIC or accredited test report at the bill of entry or face consignment detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 12 20 require BIS certification?

No, woven 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 the azo-dye PSIC requirement for this tariff line?

Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023, the exemption covers imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom only; all other origins must provide the PSIC or accredited test report.

Does the azo-dye exemption also waive all other PSIC parameters for exempt-country imports?

No. The exemption applies to azo-dye testing specifically; a PSIC covering composition and other parameters mandated under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy may still be required even for exempt origins.

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