Zari bordered sari

Bleached cotton zari bordered sari, mixed with man-made fibres

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 20 91 (Zari bordered sari) 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. The azo-dye testing requirement applies to all origins except the nine exempted countries listed under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

What this is

HSN code

5211 20 91

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
Import compliance 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 hazardous azo dyes, before filing the bill of entry. This requirement applies to all origins not covered by the exemption under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023; all other origins must present a compliant test report at the bill of entry.
DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023 · General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye exemption applies to any country with which India has a trade agreement. The exemption is a closed list of nine countries under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023; an origin not on that list — regardless of bilateral trade relationship — requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate. Arrival without a compliant test report exposes the consignment to detention and demurrage pending post-arrival laboratory verification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5211 20 91 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton zari bordered saris fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally through the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10 of the policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye testing requirement for this HSN?

The EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023; all other countries of origin must furnish a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption cover all textile parameters, or only the azo-dye test?

The exemption under General Note 10 and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 applies to azo-dye testing only; a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate covering other composition and hazardous-substance parameters may still be required depending on the specific product and exporting country's accreditation.

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