Dhoti

Plain weave cotton dhoti fabric, heavyweight woven

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 21 60 (Dhoti) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a pre-shipment inspection requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Imports from non-exempted origins must be accompanied by a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

5209 21 60

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 Textile Committee
ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
For all origins not on the azo-dye testing exemption list, obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI, confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before the bill of entry is filed.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Exemption applies only to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; consignments from all other origins must carry the PSIC or test report to obtain customs out-of-charge.
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 to all origins, and arriving at the port of discharge without a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate. For non-exempted origins, absence of a valid PSIC or Textile Committee test report at the bill-of-entry stage results in consignment detention and potential demurrage while remedial documentation is arranged — which is not possible post-shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 21 60 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton dhoti 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, principally through the General Note 10 azo-dye testing requirement under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

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

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 must furnish a PSIC or valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

Can the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate be substituted with a test report obtained after shipment?

No. The requirement is specifically pre-shipment; a post-shipment test report does not satisfy General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, and the consignment will be detained at the port pending resolution.

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