Saree

Cotton sarees, plain weave, lightweight woven fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 51 20 (Saree) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate covering the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. Testing for azo dyes is exempted only for imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What this is

HSN code

5208 51 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 (prohibited hazardous dyes)

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy compliance 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 dyes including azo dyes. Upload this document in e-Sanchit before 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 dispatch: azo-dye testing is exempted only for consignments originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Consignments from all other origins must carry a test certificate confirming absence of prohibited azo dyes.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye exemption applies broadly to any shipment routed through or transshipped via an exempt country. The exemption is tied to the country of origin, not the port of shipment; a saree manufactured outside the exempt list and transshipped through a European hub still requires a full PSIC. A missing or non-accredited test certificate at the bill-of-entry stage results in consignment detention until a valid PSIC is produced.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 51 20 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton fabrics including sarees 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, principally through the General Note 10 requirement for a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying 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 the test report must come from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, as specified under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption cover all textile articles from the listed countries?

The exemption applies only to azo-dye testing; compliance with other requirements under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy, including absence of other prohibited hazardous dyes, remains mandatory for all origins including the exempt countries.

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