Geogrid conforming to IS 17373

Geogrids for reinforced soil retaining structures

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 17373

HSN 5911 90 31 (geogrids conforming to IS 17373) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 17373:2020 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 14 June 2023, by virtue of the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 notified under S.O. 1706(E). Directorate General of Foreign Trade textile-import policy controls, including Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

5911 90 31

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 17373 · effective 14-06-2023

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
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 17373:2020 for geogrids used in reinforced soil retaining structures. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Confirm the application-specific IS standard governs the consignment: IS 17371:2020 for geogrids in flexible pavements; IS 17372:2020 for polymeric strips or geostrips in retaining structures; IS 17373:2020 for geogrids in reinforced soil retaining structures. Each standard is distinct — a CM/L under one does not cover the others.
S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023 · CCR extract confirming three-standard scope
3
Ensure every geogrid in the consignment bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product, not on packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023
4
Accompany the consignment with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI, certifying the 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 number on the bill of entry, supported by the PSIC or valid test report. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or application-scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting a CM/L licence against IS 17371:2020 or IS 17372:2020 for a consignment of IS 17373:2020 geogrids — or vice versa. The three standards are application-specific and non-interchangeable: flexible-pavement geogrids (IS 17371:2020), polymeric geostrips for retaining structures (IS 17372:2020), and geogrids for reinforced soil retaining structures (IS 17373:2020) each require a separate, scope-matching CM/L licence; customs detention follows a scope mismatch regardless of the supplier's overall BIS certification status.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5911 90 31 require BIS certification?

Yes. Geogrids conforming to IS 17373 must comply with IS 17373:2020 under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 14 June 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering this specific application and manufacturing facility.

Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate required in addition to BIS certification?

Yes. Textile-import policy requires a PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI, certifying absence of prohibited azo dyes. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing under DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

Do IS 17371:2020, IS 17372:2020, and IS 17373:2020 all apply to this HSN?

All three standards are referenced under S.O. 1706(E), but each governs a distinct application: IS 17371:2020 for flexible pavements, IS 17372:2020 for polymeric geostrips in retaining structures, and IS 17373:2020 for geogrids in reinforced soil retaining structures. The CM/L licence must match the specific application of the imported goods.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all geogrid variants and manufacturing plants of the same supplier?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the licensed Indian Standard, product scope, and manufacturing facility; variants outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at customs.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.