Skip to main content
Access IndiaPLATFORM
HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5209 12 90

Other

Cotton twill woven fabric, 3-thread or 4-thread weave

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 12 90 (cotton twill woven fabrics, 85% or more cotton, over 200 g/m²) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), including a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10. Imports from countries outside the named exempt list must present laboratory-certified test results confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes at the bill of entry.

What this is
HSN code
5209 12 90
Chapter
52 · Cotton
Primary regulator
DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye testing), Chapter 52
Customs documentation
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited laboratory
  • Azo-dye test report from exporter
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Before shipment, obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    Upload the test certificate or PSIC in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments from non-exempt countries filed without the azo-dye clearance document are liable to detention pending documentary compliance.
    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 extends to all origins because imports from major trading blocs (EU, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom) are exempt. Any origin not on the nine-country exempt list — including large textile exporters such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey — requires a PSIC from an accredited laboratory, and filing without it draws detention and demurrage at port pending documentary rectification.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?
Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.
Speak to an Expert
Frequently asked
Does HSN 5209 12 90 require BIS certification?
No, woven cotton twill 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, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10 for non-exempt origins.
Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye testing requirement for this tariff line?
Azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must submit a laboratory-certified test report.
Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries remove the PSIC requirement entirely?
Only for the specific azo-dye parameter — composition and other parameters covered by General Note 10 may still require supporting documentation; importers should verify the full scope of the PSIC requirement under General Note 10 against the specific consignment details.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related