Of cotton

Narrow knitted or crocheted cotton fabrics, width not exceeding 30 cm

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 6003 20 00 (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) certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) policy. The PSIC must be issued by an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI.

What this is

HSN code

6003 20 00

Chapter

60 · Knitted or crocheted fabrics

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10, Chapter 60

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 the Textile Committee (TC) or CSRTI, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes before the consignment is shipped to India.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
Verify whether the country of origin qualifies for the azo-dye testing exemption. Testing for azo dyes 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 present a PSIC or valid test report at the bill of entry.
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 exemption applies universally because the exporter is a well-known supplier. The exemption is strictly country-of-origin-based, not supplier-based; a consignment manufactured in an exempt country but shipped via a non-exempt intermediate country must be scrutinised for origin integrity. A missing or invalid PSIC at the bill-of-entry stage results in consignment detention and potential ground rent liability until the deficiency is remedied.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 6003 20 00 require BIS certification?

No, narrow knitted or crocheted cotton fabrics are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement for azo-dye absence under General Note 10.

Which countries are exempt from the azo-dye PSIC requirement for this tariff line?

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other origins must submit a PSIC or valid TC or CSRTI test report.

Can a test report from a domestic Indian laboratory substitute for the PSIC from the exporting country?

No. General Note 10 requires the PSIC from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country or a valid test report from the Textile Committee or CSRTI specifically; a domestic post-arrival test report does not fulfil the pre-shipment certification requirement.

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