Government of India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification removing previous restrictions on the export of various leather types. Effective immediately, Public Notice 23(RE-2013)/2009-14, which previously imposed these conditions, has been rescinded. This change eliminates port restrictions for Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, and EI Tanned Leather exports. Additionally, the mandate for testing and certification by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, Crust Leather, and EI Tanned Leather is no longer required. These adjustments aim to streamline the export process for these leather products.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Page Contents
DGFT Enhances Ease of Doing Business for Leather Exporters
Exports of Finished, Wet Blue and EI Tanned Leather Allowed from All Ports
CLRI Testing and Certification Requirement Removed
Port restrictions have been withdrawn, allowing export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, and EI Tanned Leather from any port or Inland Container Depot (ICD). Earlier, these exports were restricted to specific notified ports. The mandatory requirement for testing and certification by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, Crust Leather, and EI Tanned Leather has also been dispensed with.
These procedural requirements were originally instituted to monitor export of value-added leather products and distinguish them from raw hides and dutiable items. However, with the removal of export duties on such leather categories and the clear physical distinction between processed and raw leather, the existing checks were considered redundant.
The decision follows consultations with stakeholders, including the Council for Leather Exports, Leather Exporters and Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI). It is expected to streamline export procedures, reduce transaction costs, and benefit MSME exporters in particular.
The reforms also support India’s efforts to enhance export competitiveness in the global leather value chain while maintaining transparency and quality standards under general customs provisions. For further details, please visit: https://dgft.gov.in
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Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Notification No. 15/2025-26-DGFT | Dated: May 26, 2025
Subject: Removal of Port Restrictions and Testing Requirements for Export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, El Tanned Leather and Crust Leather regarding.
S.O. 2350 (E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act 1992, read with Para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby rescinds Public Notice 23(RE-2013)/2009-14 dated August 13, 2013, as amended, from time to time. Accordingly, the following export conditions are revoked with immediate effect –
i. Port restrictions on export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather and El tanned leather.
ii. Requirement for Testing and certification by Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, Crust Leather and El tanned leather.
Effect of the Notification: The notification removes, with immediate effect, port restrictions on the export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, and El Tanned Leather, and the requirement of drawl of samples for testing, testing and certification by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for export of Finished Leather, Wet Blue Leather, Crust Leather, and El Tanned Leather.
(Ajay Bhadoo)
Director General of Foreign Trade
Ex-Officio Additional Secretary, Government of India
Email: dgft@nic.in
(Issued from File No. 01/91/171/50/Misc/AM21/PartFile/E-38032)
