Saree

Woven cotton sarees, plain weave, heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 51 20 (Saree) is subject to import-policy controls administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) import policy for textile articles. A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, is mandatory to certify the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

5209 51 20

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 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 (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Upload this document in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the origin country qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only; the PSIC for other composition and quality parameters remains required for all origins.
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 that origin-country exemption from azo-dye testing eliminates the PSIC requirement entirely. The exemption covers only the azo-dye component of the test; a PSIC certifying absence of other prohibited hazardous dyes remains mandatory even for imports from the nine exempt countries. Consignments arriving without any PSIC or test report are liable to detention at the port of import pending documentary rectification.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 51 20 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton sarees 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 under General Note 10 to ensure the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

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

Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only are exempt from azo-dye testing per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC covering azo-dye absence.

Is a test report from a Textile Committee laboratory acceptable in place of a PSIC from the exporting country?

Yes. A valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI laboratory is an accepted alternative to a 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.