Casement

Plain weave cotton casement fabric, lightweight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 51 40 (Casement) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. Importers must obtain the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI before filing the bill of entry.

What this is

HSN code

5208 51 40

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
Import declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Before dispatch, obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate 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 the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes. This document must accompany the bill of entry.
General Note 10 to ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Only imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; all other origins require a PSIC covering azo-dye absence without exception.
General Note 10 to 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 developed-country suppliers. The exemption covers nine named jurisdictions only — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — and a PSIC from a non-listed country of origin, however reputable the supplier, will not satisfy the requirement; customs detention and ground rent accrue until a compliant test report is produced.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 51 40 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton casement fabric is 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 to confirm the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

Which laboratories are authorised to issue the PSIC for azo-dye testing?

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

What happens if the PSIC is missing at the time of bill of entry?

Absence of the mandatory PSIC renders the consignment non-compliant with General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy; the consignment is liable to detention at the port, with demurrage and ground rent accruing until a compliant test report is submitted to the satisfaction of the proper officer.

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