Dhoti and saree, zari bordered

Woven cotton dhoti and saree, zari bordered

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 29 10 (Dhoti and saree, zari bordered) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under General Note 10, which mandates Pre-Shipment Inspection Certification confirming absence of prohibited azo dyes. Testing exemptions apply only to imports from specified countries; all other origins must submit a valid PSIC from an accredited laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5209 29 10

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 — azo-dye testing requirement

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
ITC (HS) policy compliance 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, unless the origin country qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) import policy.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the exporting country is among the nine exempted origins — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Imports from all other countries require the PSIC; presentation of an exemption claim for a non-listed origin will be rejected at the bill of entry.
DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023 · General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption is broader than it is: it covers nine named origins only, and a country that shares trade ties with an exempt nation does not inherit the exemption. Importers sourcing through intermediary exporters in a listed country but manufacturing in a non-listed country must present a full PSIC; the exemption attaches to the country of origin, not the country of export.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 29 10 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton dhoti and saree 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.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023?

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only; all other origins must submit a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory confirming absence of prohibited azo dyes.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption remove all PSIC obligations for exempt-origin imports?

The exemption applies to azo-dye testing specifically; compliance with other applicable General Notes of the ITC (HS) policy for textile imports remains required, and the origin must be declared accurately at the bill of entry.

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