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of polypropylene

Synthetic filament tow of polypropylene

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5501 40 00 (Synthetic filament tow of polypropylene) 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) for textile and textile articles under General Note 10. The PSIC, issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, must certify the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes.

What this is
HSN code
5501 40 00
Chapter
55 · Man-made staple fibres
Primary regulator
DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10, Chapter 55
Customs documentation
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
  • Test report from Textile Committee
  • ITC (HS) policy declaration to DGFT
Compliance steps
  1. 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 hazardous azo dyes. This document must accompany the bill of entry as required under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) import policy.
    General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
  2. 2
    Confirm whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Testing for the presence of azo dyes is waived only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; all other origins must furnish the PSIC without exception.
    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 that polypropylene filament tow, being an industrial synthetic fibre rather than a finished textile article, falls outside the azo-dye PSIC requirement. General Note 10 applies to all textile and textile articles under the ITC (HS), which includes synthetic filament tow; an absent or invalid PSIC at the bill-of-entry stage results in consignment detention and demurrage pending documentary compliance.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 5501 40 00 require BIS certification?
No, synthetic filament tow of polypropylene is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) import policy, specifically the General Note 10 Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering prohibited azo dyes.
Is a PSIC required if the polypropylene tow is imported from the European Union?
Imports from the EU are exempt from azo-dye testing only; the PSIC covering other prohibited hazardous dye parameters and the General Note 10 compliance declaration remain required per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.
Which laboratories are authorised to issue the PSIC for this tariff line?
The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted, as specified under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) import policy.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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