Saree

Plain weave cotton sarees, heavyweight woven fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 21 10 (Saree) is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy under the ITC (HS) Schedule, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only.

What this is

HSN code

5209 21 10

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10, Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Azo-dye test report from exporter
ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before shipment. 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
Upload the PSIC or valid azo-dye test report in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. For exempt-origin shipments, retain documentary proof of origin to support the exemption claim at the port of clearance.
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 universally because the supplier is a recognised textile exporter. The exemption is country-of-origin specific and exhaustively listed; a saree consignment from any origin not on the nine-country list — including Bangladesh, China, or Vietnam — requires a valid PSIC from an accredited laboratory, and absence of that certificate at the bill of entry will result in consignment detention pending testing.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 21 10 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton sarees are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for azo-dye compliance for most origins.

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

Exemption applies to 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.

Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries waive all PSIC requirements at the bill of entry?

The exemption applies specifically to azo-dye testing; importers must still retain and present documentary proof of origin to substantiate the claim, and any other applicable General Note conditions under ITC (HS) policy continue to apply.

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