Mull (including limbric and willaya)

Cotton mull plain weave fabric (limbric, willaya)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5208 51 60 (Mull including limbric and willaya) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. The requirement applies to all origins except the nine countries exempted from azo-dye testing under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

What this is

HSN code

5208 51 60

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 — hazardous dyes compliance, Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Azo-dye exemption 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 (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes before the consignment is shipped. Upload this document in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the consignment originates from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, document the exemption from azo-dye testing. All other origins must present a full PSIC covering azo-dye absence; absence of this certificate at the bill of entry will cause consignment detention.
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 exemption applies to all compliance requirements: the exemption covers only the azo-dye testing component, not the broader PSIC obligation covering other prohibited hazardous dyes. Importers sourcing from exempt countries who arrive at the bill of entry without any PSIC or test report face consignment detention, as the hazardous-dye certification requirement under General Note 10 remains in force regardless of origin.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5208 51 60 require BIS certification?

No, cotton mull plain weave fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy, requiring a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

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

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

Which laboratories are authorised to issue the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for this HSN?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or alternatively a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory satisfies the requirement under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy.

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