Unbleached

Unbleached other woven fabrics of cotton

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5212 21 00 (Unbleached other woven fabrics of cotton) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports originating from specified countries per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What this is

HSN code

5212 21 00

Chapter

52 · Cotton

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Test report from accredited laboratory

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes. 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
For consignments originating from the nine exempt countries, retain documentation confirming the country of origin, as the azo-dye testing exemption is origin-specific and customs may verify the claim at the bill-of-entry stage.
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 universally because the exporting supplier is a well-known manufacturer. The exemption is strictly origin-bound — manufacturing in a non-listed country by a facility with EU or Japanese certifications does not qualify. A consignment from a non-exempt origin arriving without a valid test report certifying azo-dye absence will be detained at port pending testing, accruing demurrage and ground rent.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5212 21 00 require BIS certification?

No, unbleached woven cotton fabrics are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the azo-dye prohibition under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

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

Per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023 and General Note 10, 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 furnish a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or equivalent test report.

What happens if the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate is missing for a non-exempt origin?

The consignment is liable to detention at the port of import pending production of a compliant test report, during which demurrage and ground rent continue to accrue; repeat non-compliance may attract ITC (HS) policy enforcement by DGFT.

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