Kantha (multilayer stitched textile fabrics in piece used for bedding, mattress pads or clothing)

Kantha multilayer stitched quilted textile fabrics in piece

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5811 00 10 (Kantha) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate covering the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. This requirement applies to all exporting countries except EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What this is

HSN code

5811 00 10

Chapter

58 · Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; tapestries

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 (azo-dye PSIC requirement)

Customs documentation

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) 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 to India.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
If the consignment originates from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or the United Kingdom, the azo-dye testing requirement is exempted; document the country of origin clearly on the bill of entry to claim the exemption. Imports from all other origins must carry the PSIC without exception.
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 the azo-dye PSIC exemption extends to all countries with bilateral trade agreements or preferential tariff arrangements — it does not. The exemption is a closed list of nine jurisdictions; a Kantha consignment from any country outside that list arriving without a valid PSIC is liable to detention at port and refusal of out-of-charge until a conforming test report is produced, with demurrage and ground rent accruing throughout.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5811 00 10 require BIS certification?

No, Kantha quilted textile 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, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for azo-dye absence mandated under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy.

Which laboratory can issue the PSIC for azo-dye compliance?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or alternatively by a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory; the requirement and approved testing bodies are specified under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Is a consignment of Kantha from Japan exempt from azo-dye testing?

Yes, Japan is one of the nine listed exempt origins under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy, so no azo-dye PSIC is required for that origin; however, the country-of-origin declaration must be clearly documented on the bill of entry to support the exemption claim.

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