Geotextile conforming to IS 16391, IS 16392

Geotextiles for separation, filtration, drainage and erosion control

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16391

HSN 5911 90 32 (geotextiles conforming to IS 16391 and IS 16392) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 14 June 2023, by virtue of the Geotextiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 notified as 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 32

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 16391 · 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 the applicable Indian Standard: IS 16391:2015 for sub-grade separation in pavement structures, IS 16392:2015 for permanent erosion control in hard armour systems, IS 16393:2015 for subsurface drainage, or IS 16362:2020 for sub-grade stabilisation. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and facility on the BIS online register before the purchase order.
S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II
2
Ensure every geotextile roll bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product or its packaging as required by the licence conditions.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1706(E) dated 10-04-2023
3
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory in the exporting country certifying 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 but must still meet composition certification requirements.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry alongside the PSIC. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or product-scope-mismatched CM/L 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 treating the four Indian Standards as interchangeable when each maps to a distinct civil-engineering application: IS 16391:2015 governs sub-grade separation, IS 16392:2015 governs erosion control, IS 16393:2015 governs subsurface drainage, and IS 16362:2020 governs sub-grade stabilisation. Importers routinely source geotextiles against whichever IS the supplier holds a CM/L for, then declare the product under a different application code — the scope mismatch is detected at the bill-of-entry CM/L verification stage and results in detention. Confirm the civil-works application with the project engineer before placing the purchase order, and verify the supplier's CM/L scope matches that application precisely.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5911 90 32 require BIS certification?

Yes. Geotextiles under this tariff line must conform to the applicable Indian Standard and bear the ISI mark under a CM/L licence, with effect from 14 June 2023, under the Quality Control Order notified as S.O. 1706(E).

Which Indian Standard applies to a specific geotextile product?

The applicable standard depends on the intended civil-engineering function: IS 16391:2015 for sub-grade separation, IS 16392:2015 for erosion control in hard armour systems, IS 16393:2015 for subsurface drainage, and IS 16362:2020 for sub-grade stabilisation in pavement structures.

Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate required for geotextile imports?

Yes. A PSIC from an accredited laboratory certifying absence of prohibited azo dyes is required for most origins under General Note 10 of the import policy. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing per DGFT Public Notice 14/2023.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all four geotextile application standards?

No. Each CM/L is scope-specific to a particular Indian Standard and manufacturing facility; a licence against IS 16391:2015 does not authorise supply of geotextiles required to conform to IS 16392:2015, IS 16393:2015, or IS 16362:2020.

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