Other

Unbleached plain-weave cotton fabrics, lightweight (other woven)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 19 90 (Other woven cotton fabrics, ≤200 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 to confirm absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; all other origins must furnish a valid PSIC from an accredited laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5208 19 90

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye PSIC requirement)

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
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, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins 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
Ensure the PSIC or test report is uploaded in e-Sanchit and the document reference is quoted on the bill of entry before filing. Consignments from non-exempt origins arriving without a valid PSIC are liable to detention pending documentary 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 covers all origins because the exporting country typically trades under a free-trade arrangement or has high textile standards. The exemption is confined to the nine listed countries in DGFT Public Notice 14/2023; shipments originating in any other country — including transshipment through an exempt country — require a PSIC from an accredited laboratory, and its absence at the bill of entry triggers consignment detention and demurrage.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 19 90 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton fabrics under this tariff line are not within any BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) 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 Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement?

Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023, testing for prohibited azo dyes is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; all other origins must furnish a valid PSIC.

Does the azo-dye exemption apply if the fabric is transshipped through an exempt country?

No. The exemption applies to the country of origin, not the port of transshipment; fabric originating in a non-listed country requires a PSIC regardless of the routing of the consignment.

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