Other

Synthetic filament tow, other man-made fibre types

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5501 90 90 (Synthetic filament tow, other) 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) confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy. The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or accompanied by a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5501 90 90

Chapter

55 · Man-made staple fibres

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dyes), Chapter 55

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee
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 a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before shipment. Imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Upload the PSIC or valid test report in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments arriving without the required certification are liable to detention at the port of import pending submission of compliant documentation.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The azo-dye testing exemption is origin-specific and covers testing for azo dye presence only — it does not exempt the consignment from all PSIC requirements. Importers sourcing synthetic filament tow from non-exempt origins (including China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and most of Asia outside Japan and South Korea) who arrive without a PSIC face consignment detention and demurrage pending laboratory testing at the port; the exemption list is exhaustive and no administrative discretion applies.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5501 90 90 require BIS certification?

No, synthetic filament tow 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, with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 covering the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes.

Which laboratories are accepted for issuing the PSIC for azo-dye compliance?

The PSIC must be from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Are imports from South Korea fully exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement?

South Korea is on the exempted-origins list, meaning testing for the presence of azo dyes is not required for South Korean-origin consignments; however, any other PSIC or documentation requirements under the applicable import policy continue to apply.

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