Shirting fabrics

Cotton-blend shirting fabrics in 3-thread or 4-thread twill

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5211 32 20 (Shirting fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) covering the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy. The PSIC must originate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

5211 32 20

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dye testing)

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Import 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 from the Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI), certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before filing the bill of entry.
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 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 present a valid PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report at the bill of entry.
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 testing exemption applies to origins beyond the nine listed countries. A consignment arriving from any unlisted origin without a PSIC or valid TC/CSRTI test report is detained at the port of entry and released only upon production of compliant documentation — detention accrues demurrage and ground rent with no shortcut clearance available.

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 32 20 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton-blend shirting fabrics 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, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement for this tariff line?

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom only, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must supply a PSIC from an accredited laboratory or a valid TC or CSRTI test report.

Can a test report from the Textile Committee substitute for the accredited-laboratory PSIC?

Yes. A valid test report from the Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI is an accepted alternative to the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, provided it certifies the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy.

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