Viscose rayon tow

Viscose rayon tow, artificial filament tow

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5502 90 10 (Viscose rayon tow) 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) covering the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports originating from specified countries; all other origins must present a valid PSIC or test report from an accredited laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5502 90 10

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 or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy compliance 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 (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before the consignment is dispatched.
General Note 10 of ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Only imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing; consignments from all other origins must be accompanied by the PSIC and uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is processed.
General Note 10 of 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 the azo-dye testing exemption applies to all origins because viscose rayon tow is a semi-processed fibre rather than a finished textile article. General Note 10 draws no such distinction — it applies equally to raw filament tow and finished fabrics — and a consignment arriving without a PSIC from a non-exempt origin is detained at port pending a test report, accruing demurrage and ground rent while the certificate is sourced retrospectively.

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 5502 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, viscose rayon tow is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement under General Note 10 to ensure absence of prohibited hazardous dyes.

Is a PSIC required when importing viscose rayon tow from the European Union?

No. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; however, the exemption covers azo-dye testing only and does not exempt the consignment from all ITC (HS) policy compliance.

Which laboratories are accredited to issue the PSIC for azo-dye testing?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country; alternatively, a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy.

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