Flannellete

Plain weave cotton woven fabric, flannelette

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 31 80 (Flannelette) 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) from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country — or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI — certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

5209 31 80

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 to 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 the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This document must accompany the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify whether the country of origin qualifies for azo-dye testing exemption. Imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; all other origins must produce the PSIC or TC/CSRTI 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 azo-dye exemption applies to all origins because the product is a standard plain-weave cotton fabric. The exemption is country-specific and exhaustively listed; an importer sourcing flannelette from a non-listed origin without a PSIC faces detention of the consignment at the port of entry until a compliant test report is produced, with demurrage and ground rent accruing throughout.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 31 80 require BIS certification?

No, plain-weave cotton woven fabrics including flannelette 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, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 to certify absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?

Only imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; all other exporting countries must furnish a PSIC from an accredited laboratory or a valid TC or CSRTI test report per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

Can a test report from a domestic Indian laboratory substitute for the PSIC at the bill of entry?

No. General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy requires the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a test report specifically from the Textile Committee or CSRTI; a general domestic laboratory report does not satisfy the prescribed documentation requirement.

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