Lungi

Plain weave cotton lungi fabric, woven heavyweight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 31 10 (Lungi) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5209 31 10

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Before shipment, obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This document must accompany the bill of entry as a mandatory clearance requirement.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the country of origin before relying on any azo-dye testing exemption: testing is waived only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Consignments from all other origins must present a valid PSIC or test report; absence of this document renders the consignment liable to detention at the customs station.
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 broadly. The exemption is origin-specific and covers only the nine listed countries; a lungi consignment from Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, or any other non-listed origin without a valid PSIC will be detained at port, attracting demurrage and ground rent until the document deficiency is remedied or the consignment is re-exported. Verify lab accreditation status in the exporting country before the PSIC is issued, as an unaccredited laboratory's report is not accepted as a substitute.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 31 10 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton lungis are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

Which laboratories are accepted for the azo-dye PSIC for lungi imports?

An accredited laboratory of the exporting country is accepted, as is a valid test report from a Textile Committee or Central Silk and Rayon Research Institute laboratory, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Is the azo-dye testing exemption available for lungi imports from Bangladesh or China?

No. The exemption from azo-dye testing applies only to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; consignments from Bangladesh, China, and all other origins must present a valid PSIC or test report at the bill of entry stage.

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