Of cotton

Cotton textile fabrics coated for book covers

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5901 10 10 (Of cotton) 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) confirming the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. No additional sectoral PGA clearance applies, but the PSIC requirement is mandatory at the bill of entry for all origins except designated exempt countries.

What this is

HSN code

5901 10 10

Chapter

59 · Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles for industrial use

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 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 (TC) or Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSRTI) laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. This document must accompany the bill of entry.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm whether the country of export qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Testing is waived only for imports originating from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; consignments from all other origins must carry the PSIC regardless of product specifications.
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 country-of-export exemption extends to goods transshipped through an exempt country. The exemption is tied to the country of origin, not the port of shipment; a consignment manufactured outside the nine exempt territories but transshipped via, say, an EU hub remains subject to the full PSIC requirement. A missing or insufficiently detailed PSIC results in consignment detention at port pending documentary rectification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5901 10 10 require BIS certification?

No, gum-coated cotton textile fabrics are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the azo-dye PSIC requirement under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy.

Which laboratories are authorised to issue the PSIC for azo-dye testing?

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or alternatively a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory is accepted, per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

What happens if the PSIC is absent at the time of filing the bill of entry?

Absence of the mandatory PSIC exposes the consignment to detention at the port of import; the consignment cannot obtain out-of-charge until the compliant PSIC or test report is produced and verified by the proper officer.

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