Crop covers, conforming to IS 16718

Nonwoven crop covers and fruit skirting bags, not more than 25 g/m2

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16366

HSN 5603 11 10 (nonwoven crop covers conforming to IS 16718) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16718:2021 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 1 July 2024, by virtue of the Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Directorate General of Foreign Trade textile-import policy controls, including Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

5603 11 10

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16366 · effective 01-07-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 16366 (crop covers) and IS 16718:2021 (agro textiles). Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 4248(E) dated 27-09-2023 · S.O. 1579(E) dated 28-03-2024
2
Ensure each crop cover and fruit skirting bag bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product or its labelling as required under the licence.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023
3
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI, certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry, accompanied by the PSIC or valid test report. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or product-scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention.
Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating IS 16366 and IS 16718:2021 as interchangeable when verifying the supplier's CM/L licence scope. The Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 binds both standards to this product; a CM/L licensed only against one of the two standards — or licensed against IS 16718 but not the IS 16366 crop-cover specification — does not satisfy customs. Confirm the supplier's CM/L explicitly covers both IS numbers and the specific product type (crop covers or fruit skirting bags, as applicable) before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5603 11 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 16718:2021 and IS 16366 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 1 July 2024, by virtue of the Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope and facility.

Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate required in addition to BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. As a textile article, this product requires a PSIC from an accredited laboratory or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes, as a separate textile-import policy requirement administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Does the Agro Textiles QCO cover fruit skirting bags as well as crop covers under this HSN?

Yes. The Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 applies to both crop covers and fruit skirting bags under IS 16718:2021; both product types require a CM/L-licensed supplier and must bear the ISI standard mark.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all nonwoven weight variants and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard, product type, weight specification, and manufacturing facility; product variants or plants outside the licensed scope are not covered, and customs detains consignments on a scope mismatch with the BIS register.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.