Strip and the like of synthetic fibre materials

Synthetic fibre strip and the like (artificial straw, narrow strip)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5404 90 20 (Strip and the like of synthetic fibre materials) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) certifying 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

5404 90 20

Chapter

54 · Man-made filaments; strip and the like of man-made textile materials

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) 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 consignment dispatch.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the country of export: azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. For all other origins, the PSIC is mandatory and its absence at the bill of entry will result in consignment detention.
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 country-of-origin azo-dye exemption covers all documentation requirements. The exemption applies only to azo-dye testing and only for the nine listed countries; other composition and hazardous-substance parameters remain subject to PSIC verification regardless of origin. A consignment arriving without a compliant PSIC — even from an exempt country — is liable to detention at the port until documentation is regularised.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5404 90 20 require BIS certification?

No, synthetic fibre strip and the like under this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 to ensure absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye testing requirement for HSN 5404 90 20?

Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must provide a PSIC confirming absence of prohibited azo dyes.

What happens if the PSIC is missing at the time of filing the bill of entry?

Absence of the mandatory PSIC at the bill-of-entry stage exposes the consignment to detention, with demurrage and ground rent accruing until the compliant test certificate is produced; customs out-of-charge will not be granted without the document.

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