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HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5208 13 90

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Cotton twill woven fabrics, 3-thread or 4-thread weave

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 13 90 (cotton twill woven fabrics) 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 countries outside the notified exempt list must furnish laboratory testing documentation confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes.

What this is
HSN code
5208 13 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 exporter
  • Test report from accredited laboratory
  • Azo-dye compliance 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, 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 the United Kingdom.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    For imports from the nine exempt countries — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom — ensure the country of origin is correctly declared on the bill of entry, as the azo-dye testing exemption is origin-specific and customs may verify the claimed exemption at the time of out-of-charge.
    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 extends beyond the nine listed countries to neighbouring or regional suppliers. A consignment from a non-exempt origin arriving without a valid Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or accredited-lab test report is liable to detention at the port of import until compliant documentation is produced; retrospective testing after arrival does not discharge the pre-shipment requirement.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5208 13 90 require BIS certification?
No, woven cotton twill fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import compliance is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10.
Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye testing requirement for this tariff line?
Imports from 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) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or accredited-lab test report.
Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries remove all pre-shipment documentation requirements?
The exemption applies to azo-dye testing only; other applicable customs documentation and correct origin declaration remain mandatory regardless of the supplying country.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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