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Import export policy: Hides, leather and furskins (HS 41 to 43)
Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for hides, leather and furskins? HS chapters 41 to 43: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Section VIII of the Harmonised System covers hides, leather and furskins. For each chapter below you see what it covers, whether export or import is free, restricted or prohibited in the DGFT documents we read, which India-side licences usually apply, and the official trade values for FY 2025-26.
| HS chapter | Exports, US$ million | Imports, US$ million | Export policy | Import policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41: Raw hides and leather | 399 | 391 | Free in general | 2 prohibited code(s) |
| 42: Leather articles | 2,646 | 532 | Free in general | 1 prohibited code(s) |
| 43: Furskins | 4 | 7 | Free in general | 8 prohibited code(s) |
Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.
"Free in general" means we found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for this chapter. Policy changes by DGFT notification. The import notes come from DGFT's lists of restricted (407 codes) and prohibited (88 codes) imports, both as on 12 June 2019. The export notes come from DGFT's chapter-wise export schedule, 2021 edition. Check your 8-digit code on DGFT's policy search for the current position.
Chapter by chapter
Chapter 41: Raw hides and leather
Raw hides and skins and tanned leather.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 399 million, -10.7% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): Vietnam (72), Italy (56), China (31), Indonesia (28).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: CLE
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 391 million, -8.2% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): Italy (60), China (38), Argentina (37), Thailand (27).
- Skins of reptiles (heading 4113) are on the prohibited list, with imports subject to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and CITES. Seal skin in any form is prohibited.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Chapter 42: Leather articles
Handbags, travel goods, belts, wallets and saddlery.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 2,646 million, +0.9% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (742), Germany (269), UK (223), Spain (196).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: CLE
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 532 million, +5.0% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): China (307), Bangladesh (65), Italy (29), Singapore (27).
- Prohibited: seal skin in any form.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Chapter 43: Furskins
Furskins and articles of fur.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 4 million, -38.3% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (3), Italy (0), Germany (0), China (0).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: FIEO
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 7 million, +11.7% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): Turkey (3), China (2), Italy (2), Hong Kong (0).
- On the prohibited list: furskins of mink, fox and other animals (imports subject to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972), tiger-cat skins, apparel and articles of fur of wild animals, and seal skin in any form.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Common questions
Is export of hides, leather and furskins free?
Is import of hides, leather and furskins free?
Where do I check the current policy?
Is Govt License a government website?
Related guides
Official sources for this page
- DGFT list of restricted items for import (407 codes, as on 12 June 2019)
- DGFT list of prohibited items for import (88 codes, updated 12 June 2019)
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: chapter-wise Export Policy (2021 edition)
- DGFT ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1: General Notes regarding Import Policy
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: General Notes to Export Policy
- DGFT Appendix 2T: list of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
- TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S)
- DGFT ITC (HS) import and export policy search