Other

Plain weave cotton fabrics, over 100 g/m2, woven

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 42 90 (plain weave woven cotton fabrics weighing more than 100 g/m2) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming absence of prohibited hazardous dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from designated countries only, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

What this is

HSN code

5208 42 90

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 or CSRTI
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 document must accompany the bill of entry at import.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the origin of the consignment: azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Consignments from all other origins require the full PSIC or valid test report for azo-dye absence before 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 applies broadly when it is limited to nine named origins. Importers sourcing from countries outside the exempted list who arrive without a PSIC or valid test report face consignment detention and demurrage while remedial documentation is arranged — documentation that cannot be retrospectively generated for goods already shipped. Confirm origin and testing status before placing the purchase order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 42 90 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton fabrics under this tariff line are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for hazardous azo-dye absence under General Note 10.

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

The EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom only; imports from all other origins require a PSIC or valid Textile Committee or CSRTI test report per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the PSIC requirement apply to samples or small commercial consignments?

General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy does not provide a quantity-based or sample exemption for this requirement; a PSIC or valid test report is required for all consignments from non-exempted origins regardless of quantity.

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