India has amended two footwear Quality Control Orders for leather, rubber, polymeric and other footwear and components.
The legacy stock clearance deadline moves to July 31, 2027, giving manufacturers, distributors and retailers more time to liquidate inventory.
Footwear makers may import up to 4,500 sample pairs annually for R&D, subject to non-sale and record rules.
DPIIT said the extra year is intended to give manufacturers, distributors and retailers more time to liquidate existing inventory, as footwear is seasonal and stock can remain in the supply chain beyond one selling cycle.
The changes also exempt sample imports for research and development. Leather and footwear manufacturers may import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear annually for research and development and other non-commercial uses, provided the samples are not sold, are clearly marked and embossed with “Not For Sale”, and are disposed of as scrap after use.
DPIIT said the amendments were notified on June 12, 2026 through S.O. 3038(E) and S.O. 3037(E). They relate to the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024, and the Footwear made from All Rubber and all Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024.
Manufacturers must keep year-wise records of sample imports and provide them to the government when required.
The provisions are meant to support product development and industry operations while ensuring that only BIS-certified footwear products are sold in the market after the transition period, added the release.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk
