Furnishing fabrics(excluding pile and chenille fabrics)

Woven cotton furnishing fabrics, plain weave, heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 31 40 (Furnishing fabrics, excluding pile and chenille fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI must accompany the consignment.

What this is

HSN code

5209 31 40

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 — azo-dye PSIC requirement

Customs documentation

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before shipment.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Note that azo-dye testing is exempted only for consignments originating from EU member states, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Imports from all other origins require the PSIC or valid test report without exception.
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 applies broadly. The exemption covers only nine specified countries; fabric sourced from or transshipped through any non-listed country — including free-trade zones or intermediate processors — remains subject to the full PSIC requirement. A bill of entry filed without the PSIC for a non-exempt origin will be held for document compliance, attracting detention, demurrage, and ground rent until the valid certificate is produced.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 31 40 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton furnishing fabrics 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, principally through the azo-dye Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10.

Which laboratories are accepted for the PSIC under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023?

The certificate must be issued by an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI is accepted as an equivalent; no other laboratory category is specified in the policy.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption apply if the fabric is manufactured in an exempt country but shipped via a third country?

The exemption is tied to the origin of the import, not the port of shipment; importers should confirm the country-of-origin declaration on the PSIC aligns with the certificate of origin presented at the bill of entry to avoid detention.

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