Other

Lightweight nonwovens weighing not more than 25 g/m2

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5603 11 90 (lightweight nonwovens) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which requires a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) 2022 policy. The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory.

What this is

HSN code

5603 11 90

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 prohibition)

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited laboratory
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Azo-dye exemption 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 a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes before shipment. This requirement applies to all origins except those explicitly exempted.
General Note 10 of ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Where the exporting country is EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, the azo-dye testing requirement is waived; however, the PSIC for other composition or hazardous-substance parameters under General Note 10 remains required for all origins.
General Note 10 of 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 for listed countries eliminates the PSIC requirement entirely. The exemption is limited to azo-dye testing only; a PSIC addressing other hazardous-dye parameters under General Note 10 remains mandatory regardless of origin. Consignments presented at the bill-of-entry stage without a compliant PSIC or test report from a recognised laboratory are liable to detention pending documentary compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5603 11 90 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers lightweight nonwoven fabrics in this tariff line. Import compliance is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) 2022 import policy, principally through the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate regime for hazardous dye absence.

Which laboratories are recognised for issuing the PSIC for this tariff line?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country; alternatively, a valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory is accepted, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption apply to all importers sourcing from the listed countries?

Yes, but the exemption is restricted to azo-dye testing only for imports originating from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; imports from all other origins require the full PSIC covering azo-dye absence.

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