Coating (including suitings)

Plain weave cotton coating and suiting fabrics

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5210 31 20 (Coating including suitings) 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) policy. Imports from countries outside a specified exempt list must obtain the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

5210 31 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited laboratory
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Azo-dye exemption 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 the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before shipment. This document must be available 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
If the country of origin is the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, azo-dye testing is exempted; retain documentary evidence of the eligible country of origin for customs verification. Imports from all other origins must present the PSIC 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 that a general fabric-quality test report substitutes for the PSIC specifically certifying absence of prohibited azo dyes. A generic mill certificate or a composition test report does not satisfy General Note 10; only a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid TC or CSRTI test report, discharges the requirement. Consignments arriving without the correct document are detained pending re-testing at the importer's cost, generating demurrage and ground rent.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5210 31 20 require BIS certification?

No, plain weave cotton coating and suiting 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 azo-dye absence.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement 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 under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish the PSIC.

Can the PSIC be obtained after the consignment arrives at the Indian port?

No. The PSIC must be issued pre-shipment by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country; a post-arrival test report from an Indian laboratory does not satisfy the General Note 10 requirement and will not secure customs out-of-charge.

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