Shirting fabrics

Cotton twill shirting fabrics, woven heavy-weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5209 52 10 (Shirting fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), requiring 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 — certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement derives from General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and applies to all origins except the nine exempt countries.

What this is

HSN code

5209 52 10

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dye compliance)

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
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 before the consignment is shipped.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm the country of origin against the exempt-country list before ordering the PSIC. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; all other origins must carry a PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report 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 azo-dye testing exemption extends beyond the nine named countries. An importer sourcing from a country not on the exempt list — including transit arrangements through an exempt country — must present a valid PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report; absence of this document at the bill of entry results in consignment detention and potential ground rent liability until the certificate is produced or the goods are re-exported.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5209 52 10 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton twill shirting fabrics are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye PSIC requirement under General Note 10 read with DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

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

The EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are the only exempt origins per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other countries must supply a PSIC from an accredited laboratory or a valid TC or CSRTI test report.

Can a test report from a laboratory in the importing country substitute for the exporting-country PSIC?

No. General Note 10 requires either a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory; a post-import domestic test report does not satisfy this pre-shipment compliance requirement.

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