Imitation leather fabrics, of cotton

Polyurethane-coated imitation leather fabrics of cotton

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5903 20 10 (Imitation leather fabrics, of cotton) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) confirming absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports originating from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What this is

HSN code

5903 20 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 — hazardous dye PSIC requirement

Customs documentation

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

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 dyes before shipment.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify the country of origin before filing the bill of entry: azo-dye testing is exempted only for imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. All other origins must present a PSIC or TC/CSRTI test report confirming azo-dye absence.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023

A word of counsel

The exemption from azo-dye testing is origin-specific and narrow: it applies to the nine listed countries only, and a PSIC is required for all other origins without exception. Importers sourcing polyurethane-coated cotton fabrics through a re-exporting or transit country should confirm the true country of manufacture — a consignment transshipped via an exempt-origin country does not inherit the testing exemption, and absence of the PSIC at the bill of entry will result in consignment detention pending test clearance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5903 20 10 require BIS certification?

No, polyurethane-coated imitation leather fabrics of cotton 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, specifically the General Note 10 hazardous-dye PSIC requirement under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

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

The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report may be submitted from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption apply to all textile products imported from the listed countries?

The exemption applies to azo-dye testing only; the PSIC requirement covering other composition and quality parameters under General Note 10 continues to apply regardless of the country of origin.

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