Leather footwear imports hit by Indian quality control order
India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) implemented the Footwear made from leather and other materials (quality control) order, 2020 in late October.
Leather derby shoes, sports shoes and safety footwear are among those specifically singled out by the order, which states that only footwear which bears a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark may be sold, imported or stocked in the country. The order does not extend to Indian exports.
According to The Economic Times, which suggests that the order’s intention is to “restrict cheap imports” into the country, India’s central government opines that the move is “necessary” and “in the public interest”.
India has so far imported leather wares worth around $453.1 million USD in 2020, of which approximately $318.5 million USD worth of leathergoods have come from China.
