Bleached

Bleached woven polyester-cotton plain weave fabric

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5513 11 20 (Bleached polyester-cotton plain weave fabric) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement covering the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing exemptions apply only to imports originating from specified countries per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

What this is

HSN code

5513 11 20

Chapter

55 · Man-made staple fibres

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye prohibition), Chapter 55

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
Azo-dye test report from accredited laboratory
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 or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes. This requirement applies to all origins except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the consignment originates from one of the nine exempted countries, retain documentary evidence of origin at the bill-of-entry stage to support the azo-dye testing exemption claim. Absence of origin documentation may require the customs proper officer to treat the consignment as non-exempt and demand the PSIC.
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 testing exemption applies universally. The exemption is strictly origin-specific — limited to EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom — and consignments from all other origins without a valid PSIC or accredited test report face detention and ground rent pending compliance. Importing through a transshipment hub from a non-exempt origin does not convert the consignment to an exempt one.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5513 11 20 require BIS certification?

No, woven synthetic staple fibre fabrics are 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 Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from azo-dye testing for this tariff line?

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC or valid test report.

Is a test report from a Textile Committee laboratory acceptable in lieu of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate?

Yes. A valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes is accepted as an alternative to a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country.

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