Other

Synthetic fibre twines, cordage and ropes of other synthetic fibres

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 6590

HSN 5607 50 90 (synthetic fibre twines, cordage and ropes of other synthetic fibres) is covered by multiple Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Orders. Conformity to IS 6590:1972 and a suite of fibre-specific Indian Standards is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with the primary enforcement date of 03 October 2024 under the Ropes and Cordages QCO and 01 December 2024 for braided nylon ropes. Directorate General of Foreign Trade textile import controls, including a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

5607 50 90

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 6590 · effective 03-10-2024

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
Identify the applicable Indian Standard for the specific rope or cordage product being imported — IS 6590 (HDPE ropes), IS 11066 (polyester strand ropes), IS 14929 (mixed polyolefin ropes), IS 4572 (polyamide strand ropes), IS 5175 (polypropylene ropes), or IS 8674 (polyethylene strand ropes), among others. Verify the supplier's BIS CM/L licence number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register against the correct IS before placing the purchase order.
Ropes and Cordages QCO 2024 · S.O. 4327(E) dated 03-10-2024; Steel Wires or Strands, Nylon or Wire Ropes and Wire Mesh (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 2581(E) dated 03-07-2024
2
Confirm the enforcement date applicable to the supplier. The Ropes and Cordages QCO (S.O. 4327(E)) took effect 03-10-2024 for large enterprises; IS 6590 for braided nylon ropes took effect 01-12-2024, with small enterprises from 01-03-2025 and micro enterprises from 01-06-2025. Obtain written confirmation of the supplier's enterprise classification where phased dates apply.
S.O. 2581(E) dated 03-07-2024; S.O. 4327(E) dated 03-10-2024; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006
3
Ensure every unit of cordage or rope bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L licence number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product or spool label, not on outer packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018; Ropes and Cordages QCO 2024 · S.O. 4327(E)
4
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
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L licence number and the applicable IS number on the bill of entry, accompanied by the PSIC. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention, demurrage, and ground rent.
BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962; Ropes and Cordages QCO 2024 · S.O. 4327(E) dated 03-10-2024

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting a CM/L licence valid for one IS standard (for example IS 6590 for HDPE ropes) against a consignment of a different fibre construction governed by a different standard (such as IS 5175 for polypropylene or IS 4572 for polyamide). Twelve Indian Standards are mapped across this HSN under three separate Quality Control Orders; each standard is product-construction-specific, and customs will detain a consignment where the CM/L scope does not match the declared fibre type and rope construction on the invoice and packing list.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 5607 50 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Synthetic fibre twines, cordage and ropes under this tariff line require BIS CM/L licensing under the ISI Mark Scheme against the applicable Indian Standard, with effect from 03 October 2024 under the Ropes and Cordages QCO 2024 and from 01 December 2024 for braided nylon ropes under S.O. 2581(E).

Which Indian Standard applies to my specific rope or cordage product?

The applicable IS depends on fibre type and construction: IS 11066 (polyester strand ropes), IS 14929 (mixed polyolefin), IS 4572 (polyamide strand), IS 5175 (polypropylene), IS 8674 (polyethylene strand), IS 17609 (polyester/polyolefin dual fibre), IS 17880 (synthetic polymer rope gabions), IS 6590 (HDPE ropes and braided nylon for mountaineering). Verify the correct standard against the product data sheet before sourcing.

Do the phased enforcement dates for small and micro enterprises apply to foreign manufacturers?

The phased dates under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 apply to domestic production only. Foreign manufacturers and their Indian importers are subject to the principal enforcement dates from 03-10-2024 and 01-12-2024 respectively.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all rope constructions and fibre types?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the Indian Standard, fibre composition, construction type, and licensed manufacturing facility. Cordage of a different fibre or construction class from the licensed scope is not covered, and customs will detain the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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