Saree

Bleached cotton sarees mixed with man-made fibres

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 20 40 (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 covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes for imports from most origins. Testing for azo-dye presence is exempted only for imports from specified countries under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

5211 20 40

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
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 azo dyes, unless the consignment originates from an exempt country. Exemption applies only to imports from 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
Upload the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or valid test report in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Non-exempt origins without a compliant certificate are liable to consignment detention at port.
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. The exemption is country-specific and covers the nine listed origins only — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Importers sourcing from any other country who arrive without a valid Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate face detention and potential re-export; the exemption does not extend to transshipment through an exempt country.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5211 20 40 require BIS certification?

No, bleached cotton sarees mixed with man-made fibres 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, principally the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10.

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

Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023, 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 supply a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

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

No. The exemption is tied to the country of origin, not the port of transshipment; goods originating in a non-exempt country require a compliant Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate regardless of the routing.

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