Twill, not elsewhere specified (including gaberdine)

Cotton-blend twill woven fabrics, heavier weight (gabardine)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 12 20 (Twill, not elsewhere specified including gabardine) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate certifying absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10. Imports from countries outside the named exempt-origin list require azo-dye testing at an accredited laboratory of the exporting country.

What this is

HSN code

5211 12 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye certification), Chapter 52

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited lab
ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes, as required under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. This certificate must accompany the bill of entry for all origins not named in the exempt list.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm the country of origin before shipment: azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Consignments from all other origins without a valid test report are liable to detention at the port of import.
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 exemption applies broadly to any developed-country origin. The exemption is a closed enumerated list — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only — and a consignment from any unlisted origin, including other European or Asian countries, arriving without a PSIC is detained at port pending laboratory clearance, accumulating demurrage and ground rent.

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 5211 12 20 require BIS certification?

No, cotton-blend woven twill fabrics fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye certification requirement under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement?

Exemption applies only to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must supply a PSIC from an accredited laboratory.

What happens if a consignment arrives without the required azo-dye test report?

Customs will withhold out-of-charge clearance, and the consignment is detained at the designated port pending submission of a compliant test report, during which demurrage and ground rent accrue at the importer's cost.

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