India eases export norms for leather sector to boost competitiveness
In a move aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and reducing compliance burdens, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced major procedural relaxations for leather exporters.
Through Notification No. 15/2025-26 dated May 26, 2026, the DGFT has lifted port restrictions, permitting the export of finished leather, wet blue leather, and EI tanned leather from all ports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs). Previously, such exports were allowed only from specified ports.
India's DGFT has removed key procedural hurdles for leather exporters. Exports of finished, wet blue, and EI tanned leather are now allowed from all ports and ICDs, and CLRI testing requirements have been scrapped. The move aims to reduce compliance costs, benefit MSMEs, and boost India's export competitiveness in the global leather market following stakeholder consultations.
Additionally, the mandatory testing and certification requirement by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for exporting various processed leather categories has been scrapped. These measures, initially introduced to differentiate between raw and value-added leather, have been deemed redundant following the removal of export duties and clearer distinctions in product types.
The decision, made after consultations with the Council for Leather Exports, CLRI, and key stakeholders, is expected to streamline procedures, lower transaction costs, and particularly benefit MSME exporters. It also aligns with India's goal of strengthening its position in the global leather value chain.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
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