Shirting fabrics

Woven cotton shirting fabrics, plain weave

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 42 30 (Shirting fabrics) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The certificate must originate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or carry a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

5208 42 30

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous 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 (PSIC) from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes before the consignment is shipped.
General Note 10 of ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the origin country is NOT among the azo-dye-testing-exempt jurisdictions — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — ensure the PSIC specifically addresses azo-dye absence. Consignments from all other origins without this certification are liable to detention at the port of import.
General Note 10 of 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 applies broadly to all origins. The exemption covers nine named jurisdictions only; fabric imported from any other country without a PSIC confirming azo-dye absence will be detained pending testing, with demurrage and ground rent accruing until clearance or re-export. Even for exempt origins, the PSIC covering other prohibited hazardous dyes remains mandatory.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 42 30 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton shirting fabrics 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, principally through the mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?

EU member states, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only; the PSIC covering other prohibited hazardous dyes remains required even for these origins per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Can a test report from the Textile Committee substitute for the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate?

Yes. A valid test report from the Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI is an accepted substitute for the accredited-laboratory PSIC under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

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