Of polypropylene

Polypropylene synthetic staple fibres, unprocessed for spinning

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5503 40 00 (Of polypropylene) is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Imports from most origins must furnish a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

5503 40 00

Chapter

55 · Man-made staple fibres

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (hazardous dye prohibition)

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 dyes before shipment. This requirement applies to all imports of textile and textile articles 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
Verify whether the exporting country qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Testing for azo dyes is waived only for imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; imports from all other origins must include a PSIC covering azo-dye absence.
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 azo-dye exemption applies broadly because the exporting country is a major textile supplier. The exemption is limited to the nine named countries; a PSIC from an unrecognised or non-accredited laboratory — or a test report issued after shipment — does not satisfy General Note 10 and will result in consignment detention at the port of import pending a fresh test report from the Textile Committee.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5503 40 00 require BIS certification?

No, polypropylene synthetic staple fibres are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally through the PSIC and hazardous-dye prohibition requirement under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023?

Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; all other origins must furnish a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid TC or CSRTI test report.

Does a post-shipment test report satisfy the PSIC requirement under General Note 10?

No. The certificate must be a pre-shipment inspection certificate issued before dispatch; a test report obtained after the consignment has sailed does not satisfy General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and may result in detention at the port of import.

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