Cotton fabrics and articles used in machinery and plant

Cotton fabrics and articles for industrial machinery use

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 5911 31 30 (Cotton fabrics and articles used in machinery and plant) 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) certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. Azo-dye testing is exempted for imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only.

What this is

HSN code

5911 31 30

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 compliance, Chapter 59

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee
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 dyes. This document must be available at the bill of entry stage.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Confirm the origin of the consignment before relying on the azo-dye testing exemption. The exemption applies exclusively to imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; all other origins must produce a PSIC or valid 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 most common error on this tariff line is assuming the azo-dye testing exemption extends to any country that the importer considers a trusted supplier. The exemption is a closed, named list — nine jurisdictions only — and a PSIC gap for any other origin results in consignment detention at the port pending remedial documentation, attracting demurrage and ground rent that typically exceed the cost of the pre-shipment test itself.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5911 31 30 require BIS certification?

No, cotton fabrics and articles for industrial use are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally through the General Note 10 hazardous-dye compliance requirement.

Which laboratories are acceptable for the PSIC or test report on azo-dye absence?

An accredited laboratory in the exporting country, or a valid test report from a Textile Committee or CSRTI laboratory, is acceptable under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023.

Does the azo-dye testing exemption cover all textile parameters in the PSIC, or only the azo-dye test?

The exemption covers azo-dye testing only; PSIC requirements for other prohibited hazardous dyes and compositional parameters remain applicable even for imports from the nine exempt countries.

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