Saree

Plain weave cotton saree, lightweight woven fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 21 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 most origins must be accompanied by a test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid Textile Committee or CSRTI report confirming azo-dye absence.

What this is

HSN code

5208 21 20

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
Import compliance declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Before dispatch, obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or valid azo-dye 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. Upload this document in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the country of origin before placing the purchase order: azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Consignments from all other origins must carry a valid test report at the bill-of-entry stage or face detention pending testing.
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 country-of-origin exemption from azo-dye testing is broader than it is. Only the nine listed countries qualify; imports from major textile-exporting nations such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey remain subject to the full Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement. Presenting a certificate of composition without a specific azo-dye test result will not satisfy the General Note 10 obligation, and consignments tendered without a compliant report are detained at the port of entry.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 21 20 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton sarees 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 Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye testing requirement for this HSN?

Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023, the exemption applies only to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom; all other origins require a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

What happens if the azo-dye test report is missing at the bill of entry?

Customs will withhold out-of-charge clearance until a compliant Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or accredited test report is produced; prolonged non-compliance may result in consignment detention, demurrage, and ground rent accumulating at the port.

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