Of cotton

Woven cotton handkerchiefs, not knitted or crocheted

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 6213 20 00 (Handkerchiefs of cotton) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which mandates a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) covering the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes under General Note 10. DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025 also introduces port restrictions on imports originating from Bangladesh, subject to the exemptions listed in paragraphs 2 and 3 of that notification.

What this is

HSN code

6213 20 00

Chapter

62 · Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, General Note 10 and DGFT Notification 7/2025-26

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from accredited lab
Test report from Textile Committee or CSRTI
Port-compliance 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 or CSRTI laboratory, certifying the absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Imports from EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only; all other origins must furnish the PSIC.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
2
For consignments originating from Bangladesh, verify compliance with DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025: confirm that the port of import is among those permitted under paragraph 1 and determine whether the consignment qualifies under the exempted-goods categories in paragraphs 2 and 3 of that notification.
DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025, para 19 of General Notes, ITC (HS) 2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the azo-dye PSIC exemption for listed countries applies to all textile compliance requirements. The exemption is limited to azo-dye testing only; composition, safety, and labelling declarations remain required regardless of origin. Separately, importers sourcing from Bangladesh frequently overlook the port-restriction overlay introduced by DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 — routing through a non-permitted port triggers detention at the customs station even where all other documents are in order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 6213 20 00 require BIS certification?

No, woven cotton handkerchiefs are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, principally the PSIC azo-dye requirement under General Note 10 and the Bangladesh-origin port restrictions under DGFT Notification 7/2025-26.

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

EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo-dye testing only, per General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023; all other exporting countries must provide a PSIC.

Do the Bangladesh-origin port restrictions under DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 apply to all cotton handkerchief imports from Bangladesh?

The port restrictions under paragraph 1 of DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 apply unless the consignment falls within the exempted-goods categories specified in paragraphs 2 and 3; importers must verify the applicable paragraph before nominating the port of discharge.

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