Needleloom felt and stitch-bonded fibre fabrics

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5602 10 00 (Needleloom felt and stitch-bonded fibre fabrics) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate covering the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes for all textile and textile article imports. The requirement derives from General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What this is

HSN code

5602 10 00

Chapter

56 · Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, General Note 10 — hazardous dye compliance, Chapter 56

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
ITC (HS) policy declaration to CBIC

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 the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the country of export is NOT among the exempted origins — EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and United Kingdom — ensure azo-dye testing is completed without exception. Consignments from non-exempt origins presented without a valid PSIC are liable to detention and re-export.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye exemption applies broadly: the nine exempted origins are an exhaustive list, not a non-exhaustive safe harbour. Imports from any unlisted country — including major textile exporters such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey — must carry a valid PSIC from an accredited laboratory; a certificate from a non-accredited laboratory does not satisfy the requirement and will not secure customs out-of-charge.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5602 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, needleloom felt and stitch-bonded 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, specifically the hazardous-dye compliance requirement under General Note 10 and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

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

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 supply a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory.

Does the PSIC exemption for listed countries waive all pre-shipment inspection requirements?

No. The exemption is limited to the azo-dye test; any other composition or quality parameters required under the PSIC regime remain applicable even for the nine exempt origins.

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