Shirting fabrics

Cotton shirting fabrics mixed with man-made fibres

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 11 10 (Shirting fabrics) is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The azo-dye testing requirement applies to all exporting countries except a named set of nine jurisdictions per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What this is

HSN code

5211 11 10

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 — azo-dye testing condition

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Azo-dye test report from exporter
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, certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes before shipment. This requirement applies to all exporting countries not listed in the General Note 10 exemption.
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 the azo-dye testing exemption: EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt. For all other origins, the PSIC must be uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage before out-of-charge.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption extends beyond the nine named countries. A consignment sourced from any origin not expressly listed — including re-exports transiting through an exempt country — remains subject to the full PSIC requirement, and arrival without a valid test report results in consignment detention and demurrage until documentary compliance is achieved.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5211 11 10 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton shirting fabrics mixed with man-made fibres fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for azo-dye absence required under General Note 10.

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

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must supply a PSIC.

Does the azo-dye exemption apply if goods are transhipped through an exempt country?

No. The exemption is tied to the country of origin, not the port of export or transhipment; a consignment of non-exempt origin transiting through, for example, the EU retains the PSIC requirement and must present a valid test report at the Indian port of entry.

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