Of Handloom

Handloom plain weave cotton fabric, heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 51 11 (Of Handloom) 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 certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What this is

HSN code

5209 51 11

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

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 of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes before the consignment is shipped to India.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the origin country is not among the nine exempt countries (EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom), ensure azo-dye test results are included in the PSIC. Upload the PSIC in e-Sanchit before filing 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 azo-dye exemption applies to all origins. The nine-country exemption covers azo-dye testing only; a PSIC confirming composition and other applicable parameters remains mandatory for every origin, including the nine exempt countries. Consignments arriving without a valid PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report are liable to detention at the port of import pending documentary compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 51 11 require BIS certification?

No, heavy plain-weave cotton fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 covering prohibited hazardous dyes.

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

Only imports from EU member states, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; a PSIC for other parameters remains required per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Can a TC or CSRTI test report substitute for the PSIC from the exporting country's accredited laboratory?

Yes. A valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is an accepted substitute for the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy.

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