Cambrics (including madapollam and jaconet), longcloth (including calico) and voils (excluding leno fabrics)

Woven cotton cambrics, longcloth and voile fabrics

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 32 60 (Cambrics, longcloth and voile fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all imports under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, with a country-specific exemption for select origins.

What this is

HSN code

5208 32 60

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dye compliance)

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration to 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 before the consignment is shipped. Failure to produce this certificate at the bill-of-entry stage renders the consignment liable to detention.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. The exemption applies only to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom; all other origins must submit the PSIC without exception.
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 that the azo-dye PSIC exemption for listed countries also covers test parameters beyond azo-dye presence. The exemption is restricted to azo-dye testing only; a PSIC or valid test report covering other prohibited hazardous substances remains required even for EU, UK and other exempt-origin shipments. A consignment arriving without documentation for non-azo parameters is detained pending submission of the applicable test report.

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 32 60 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton fabrics under this tariff line are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 confirming absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

Which laboratories are authorised to issue the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for azo-dye testing?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted as an equivalent, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries remove all pre-shipment testing obligations?

No. The exemption under General Note 10 applies only to testing for azo-dye presence; documentation certifying compliance with other prohibited hazardous dye parameters remains mandatory regardless of the country of origin.

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