Bleached

Bleached woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5408 31 20 (Bleached woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The azo-dye testing requirement is waived only for imports originating from specified countries.

What this is

HSN code

5408 31 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 prohibition), Chapter 54

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited laboratory
Azo-dye test report from exporter
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate or valid test report from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except the exempted countries listed 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
If the consignment originates from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, the azo-dye testing exemption applies; retain documentary proof of origin to substantiate the exemption claim 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 frequent error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption extends to all origins. The exemption is confined to nine named countries; consignments from any other origin without a valid Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate are liable to detention at the port of import pending compliance. A certificate issued by a non-accredited laboratory does not satisfy General Note 10 and is treated as non-compliant at customs out-of-charge.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5408 31 20 require BIS certification?

No, bleached woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import 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?

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must supply a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

What happens if a consignment from a non-exempt origin arrives without a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate?

Customs will withhold out-of-charge, and the consignment is liable to detention, accruing demurrage and ground rent, until a compliant test certificate is furnished or the goods are re-exported.

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