Shirting fabrics

Plain weave cotton shirting fabrics, woven heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 31 30 (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 (PSIC) from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes. This requirement flows from General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023.

What this is

HSN code

5209 31 30

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dye certification), Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Azo-dye exemption declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes before filing the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the exporting country is EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, the azo-dye testing requirement is waived; however, retain documentation confirming origin to substantiate the exemption claim at the bill of entry.
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 country-of-origin exemption from azo-dye testing removes all PSIC obligations. The exemption applies only to the azo-dye parameter for the listed nine countries; other prohibited hazardous dye certifications under General Note 10 remain required regardless of origin. An importer who presents no test documentation at all — relying only on origin — faces detention and potential seizure of the consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 31 30 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton shirting fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import compliance is governed by the ITC (HS) Import Policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the hazardous dye certification requirement under General Note 10.

Which laboratories are accredited to issue the PSIC for azo-dye testing?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country; alternatively, a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory satisfies the requirement under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption apply to all imports from the listed countries?

The exemption from azo-dye testing applies to imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only; all other countries of origin must furnish a PSIC covering azo-dye absence.

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