Unbleached

Unbleached polyester-cotton twill woven fabric, heavy weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5514 12 10 (Unbleached polyester-cotton twill fabric) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirming the absence of prohibited azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. Imports from countries outside the notified exempt list require azo-dye testing from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country.

What this is

HSN code

5514 12 10

Chapter

55 · Man-made staple fibres

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 — azo-dye certification, Chapter 55

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Azo-dye test report from exporting country
Import declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country certifying the absence of prohibited azo dyes, unless the consignment originates from one of the nine exempt countries. Upload this certificate with the bill of entry before out-of-charge.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the country of origin against the azo-dye-testing exemption list: EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and United Kingdom are exempt; all other origins require the accredited-lab test report. Declare the origin accurately on the bill of entry, as a mismatch triggers detention for testing.
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 because the exporting country is not explicitly excluded, rather than confirming it appears on the notified nine-country list. Consignments from non-listed origins arriving without the accredited-lab Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate are detained at the port of import pending testing, attracting demurrage and ground rent; the exemption list is country-specific and does not extend to goods transshipped through an exempt country.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5514 12 10 require BIS certification?

No, woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres 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 azo-dye certification requirements under General Note 10 as the operative obligation.

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

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and United Kingdom only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins require a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

Does the azo-dye exemption apply to goods transshipped through an exempt country?

No; the exemption is tied to the country of origin, not the port of export or country of shipment, so transshipment through an exempt country does not confer the exemption on goods originating elsewhere.

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