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HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5209 21 20

Shirting fabrics

Plain weave cotton shirting fabrics, heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 21 20 (Shirting fabrics) is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The azo-dye testing requirement applies to all exporting countries except the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

What this is
HSN code
5209 21 20
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 exporter
  • Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
  • ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except the 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 PSIC or valid azo-dye test report in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Consignments from non-exempt origins presented without a compliant test report are liable to detention at the port of import pending document rectification.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
A word of counsel

The single most frequent error on this tariff line is assuming that a long-standing supplier relationship with an exempt-origin country removes the documentation obligation entirely. The azo-dye exemption covers only the testing requirement; proof of eligible origin — typically a certificate of origin establishing the exporting country — must still accompany the consignment so customs can verify entitlement to the exemption. Failure to produce origin evidence converts an otherwise compliant shipment into a detention risk.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5209 21 20 require BIS certification?
No, plain weave cotton shirting fabrics 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 azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.
Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?
Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023, testing is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom; all other origins must furnish a compliant PSIC or test report.
Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries also waive the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for other composition parameters?
No. The exemption covers azo-dye testing only; a PSIC addressing other mandatory parameters under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy remains required even for exempt-origin consignments.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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