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HomeHSNChapter 52HSN 5211 11 20

Saree

Plain weave cotton-blend sarees, woven fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 11 20 (Saree) is subject to 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) Schedule. Imports of textile articles containing cotton-blend woven fabric require this hazardous-dye certification from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country unless the origin qualifies for the exemption list.

What this is
HSN code
5211 11 20
Chapter
52 · Cotton
Primary regulator
DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye certification)
Customs documentation
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
  • Azo-dye test report from accredited lab
  • ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before shipment. This requirement applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    Upload the PSIC or test report as mandatory documentation in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments arriving without the requisite azo-dye certification from a non-exempt origin are liable to detention and refusal of out-of-charge by the proper officer.
    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 the azo-dye PSIC exemption extends to all developed-country origins. The exemption applies only to the nine named countries — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom — and no other origin, regardless of its general trade standing or bilateral agreement with India. Sourcing from any unlisted origin without a PSIC from an accredited lab will result in consignment detention at the port of entry.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5211 11 20 require BIS certification?
No, cotton-blend woven sarees are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance for this tariff line is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the azo-dye certification requirement under General Note 10.
Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement?
Only EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country.
Does the azo-dye exemption for listed countries remove all PSIC obligations at the bill of entry?
The exemption applies specifically to testing for prohibited azo dyes; other General Note 10 documentation requirements and any applicable ITC (HS) policy declarations remain in force even for exempt-origin consignments.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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