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HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5209 22 10

Shirting fabrics

Cotton twill shirting fabrics, woven heavy-weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 22 10 (Shirting fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The azo-dye testing requirement applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What this is
HSN code
5209 22 10
Chapter
52 · Cotton
Primary regulator
DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye certification)
Customs documentation
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
  • Azo-dye test report from exporter
  • ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or valid test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins not listed in the General Note 10 exemption.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    If importing from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, confirm the exemption from azo-dye testing at the bill of entry. Document the country of origin clearly, as customs verification will cross-check origin against the exempted-country list.
    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 transshipment origins or to goods manufactured in an exempt country but shipped via a non-exempt country. Country of origin — not country of shipment — governs exemption eligibility, and a mismatch triggers consignment detention pending testing; detention at port accrues demurrage and ground rent that a retrospective test report cannot recover.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5209 22 10 require BIS certification?
No, woven cotton shirting fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye certification requirement under General Note 10.
Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement?
EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish an accredited laboratory test report certifying absence of prohibited azo dyes.
What happens if the azo-dye test report is missing at the bill of entry?
Absent a valid test report or PSIC, customs may detain the consignment pending testing or refuse out-of-charge, exposing the importer to demurrage, ground rent, and potential re-export if the fabric tests positive for prohibited dyes.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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