Government Eases Footwear Import Norms for R&D; Compliance Relief Extended to July 31, 2027

The government has amended regulations to allow footwear manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs of leather and footwear products in a year for research and development, as per the order.  

This change, effective June 12, 2026, extends compliance relief by 1 year to July 31, 2027. 

Government Changes Footwear Import Norms 

The government has amended quality control regulations for footwear products, permitting manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs annually for research and development purposes.  

These imports must be marked "NOT FOR SALE" and cannot be sold commercially. Manufacturers are required to maintain records of these imports for government review. 

Domestic Supply Takes Priority 

This move aims to provide flexibility to manufacturers relying on global samples for benchmarking, design studies, and innovation.  

Access to international samples is crucial for developing competitive products in global markets, aligning with India's goal to strengthen its manufacturing and export capabilities. 

Deadline Extended Under Quality Control Order 

The notification was published on June 12, 2026, and the compliance exemption under the Quality Control Order framework has been extended by 1 year, shifting the deadline from July 31, 2026, to July 31, 2027. 

Policy Introduced in India 

This policy was introduced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in India, as part of the Footwear made from All Rubber and All Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026. 

Read More: RBI Issues New Rules to Curb Mis-Selling of Financial Products; Norms Effective from January 1, 2027! 

Conclusion 

The government's amendment allows the import of up to 4,500 footwear pairs annually for R&D, extending compliance relief to July 31, 2027. This change supports manufacturers in accessing global samples for innovation and product development. 

Read stock market news in Hindi. Head to Angel One's share market news in Hindi for comprehensive coverage. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.