Flax, raw or retted

Flax, raw or retted (unprocessed flax fibre)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5301 10 00 (Flax, raw or retted) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Imports of textile and textile articles must comply with the azo-dye testing requirement under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, with a country-specific exemption applying to specified origins.

What this is

HSN code

5301 10 00

Chapter

53 · Other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 53 (General Note 10 azo-dye condition)

Customs documentation

Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
Import declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes before shipment. Imports from countries other than EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom must carry this certification at the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the origin country is among the nine exempt nations (EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom), document the country of origin on the bill of entry to invoke the azo-dye testing exemption. No test report is required solely for the azo-dye parameter for these origins.
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 because the fibre is unprocessed. General Note 10 exempts only the nine listed countries — any other origin, including processing hubs that re-export flax, requires a full azo-dye test report from an accredited laboratory. A missing test report results in consignment detention at the port of import pending remedial documentation.

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 5301 10 00 require BIS certification?

No. Raw or retted flax is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the azo-dye testing condition under General Note 10.

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

EU member states, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14 June 2023. All other origins require a laboratory test report.

Does the azo-dye exemption apply to raw unspun flax in the same way as to finished textile articles?

Yes — General Note 10 applies to textile and textile articles broadly, covering raw vegetable fibres including flax at 5301 10 00; the exemption is origin-based, not product-stage-based.

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