Weighing more than 70 g/m2 but not more than 150 g/m2

Nonwoven fabrics, 70 to 150 g/m2 (impregnated, coated, laminated)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5603 13 00 (nonwovens weighing more than 70 g/m2 but not more than 150 g/m2) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) covering hazardous-dye absence under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted for consignments originating from nine specified countries, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

What this is

HSN code

5603 13 00

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10, Chapter 56

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
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 in the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI laboratory, certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes. Upload this document in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the consignment originates from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, azo-dye testing is exempted; confirm the country of origin on the bill of entry and retain documentary evidence of origin for customs verification. All other origins must comply with the full PSIC requirement.
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 that nonwovens fall outside the textile-dye inspection regime because they are not woven or knitted fabrics. General Note 10 applies to all textile articles under Chapters 50–63, including nonwovens under Chapter 56; a consignment arriving without a valid PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report is detained at customs pending laboratory clearance, accruing demurrage and ground rent for the duration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5603 13 00 require BIS certification?

No, nonwoven fabrics in this weight range are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. 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 hazardous-dye absence under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement for this HSN?

Only the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must furnish a PSIC or valid TC/CSRTI test report.

Can a domestic TC or CSRTI test report substitute for the foreign accredited-lab PSIC?

Yes. A valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted as an alternative to the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy.

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