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Leather & footwear

Export footwear

Leather shoes, sandals and boots from Agra, Kanpur and Tamil Nadu; the USA, UK and Germany lead.

Free to exportHS 6403
HS code
6403
Footwear with uppers of leather (HS 6403). Footwear with textile uppers is 6404, rubber or plastic footwear 6401–6402, and parts 6406.
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 1.69 bn
to 146 countries

What is exported

India makes leather shoes, sandals and boots in Agra, Kanpur, Ambur–Vaniyambadi, Chennai and Kolkata, as well as non-leather and sports footwear. Buyers are brands and importers who supply lasts and specifications. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 1.7 billion under HS 6403; the USA led, followed by the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Leather shoes for men and womenFormal and casual shoes with leather uppers — India's main footwear export.
  • Leather sandals and chappalsIncluding Kolhapuri chappals, sold to fashion and ethnic-wear retailers.
  • Safety footwearLeather boots with steel or composite toe caps for industrial buyers; must meet safety standards such as EN ISO 20345.
  • Non-leather footwear (textile or synthetic uppers)Sports shoes, canvas shoes and slippers (HS 6402, 6404) — a fast-growing line.
  • Shoe uppers and componentsStitched uppers sent to factories abroad for finishing.

Where it is grown or made

  • Tamil NaduChennai, Ambur, Vaniyambadi and Ranipet
  • Uttar PradeshAgra (leather shoes) and Kanpur (leather and safety footwear)
  • Maharashtra and KarnatakaKolhapur, Sangli and Belagavi region — Kolhapuri chappals
  • HaryanaBahadurgarh — non-leather and sports footwear
  • PunjabJalandhar — leather footwear

Export packing

  • Each pair goes in its own shoe box with tissue paper and shoe trees or paper stuffing, then in 5-ply master cartons (often 12 or 24 pairs).
  • Add silica gel to stop mould; label boxes with size, colour, style and the buyer's barcode.
  • EU labels must show the material of upper, lining and sole (Directive 94/11/EC pictograms).

Who buys abroad

  • Footwear brands and their sourcing offices
  • Retail chains and department stores
  • Importers and wholesalers
  • Industrial and government buyers (safety footwear tenders)

The quality buyers ask for

Restricted chemicals
Chromium VI below 3 mg/kg in leather parts (EU REACH), azo amines, PAHs, DMFu ban and the brand's restricted list
Sole adhesion and flexing
Upper-to-sole bond strength and flex resistance using EN ISO or SATRA methods
Abrasion and slip
Outsole abrasion and slip resistance (EN ISO 13287) for work and casual shoes
Safety footwear
EN ISO 20345 (toe cap 200 J, S1–S5 classes) for the EU; ASTM F2413 for the USA
Sizing
Size charts by market (EU, UK, US) and width fittings; last approved by the buyer
Colour fastness
Rubbing fastness of uppers and linings, so socks and feet are not stained

Certificates

  • Chemical and physical test reportsRequiredRequired by virtually every brand before shipment approval.
  • Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, SMETA or SA8000)RequiredRequired by most brands for the factory and key job-work units.
  • CE (PPE Regulation 2016/425)Often askedSafety shoes sold in the EU need EU type-examination by a notified body and CE marking.
  • Leather Working Group (LWG)Often askedMany brands require leather from LWG-rated tanneries.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality system; common in larger export units.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Each pair in a shoe box with tissue and stuffing, boxes in export cartons (often 6–12 pairs). Loaded by volume in 20-ft, 40-ft or 40-ft high-cube containers.

How it travels

Sea from Chennai, Nhava Sheva or ICDs near Agra and Kanpur; air for samples and urgent lots.

Storage

Keep dry; leather shoes mould in damp storage. Use allowed anti-mould sachets and silica gel.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU: material label for upper, lining and sock, and outsole, using the pictograms or words of Directive 94/11/EC.
  • Country of origin on the shoe or box ('Made in India').
  • Size in the market's system, article number and barcode on the box.
  • Safety shoes: CE mark, standard number, protection class (for example S3) and size marked on the shoe.
Where to get it tested

The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) runs NABL-accredited footwear testing labs at several campuses, including Noida, Chennai and Agra region centres. CSIR-CLRI, Chennai, tests leather. For safety footwear, the EU notified body may test abroad or through an Indian partner lab; search the NABL directory under 'footwear'.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CLE (Council for Leather Exports)RCMC for leather footwear and footwear components.leatherindia.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • EU: footwear labelling of upper, lining and sole materials; REACH limits on chromium VI and restricted chemicals.
  • Physical tests the buyer specifies: sole bond strength, flexing, colour rub-off.
  • EU Deforestation Regulation data on cattle leather, for EU buyers.
How to start small

Work with an Agra or Kanpur unit that already makes export-grade shoes. Choose one style family (for example sandals), join CLE, and meet buyers at CLE pavilions; expect several sampling rounds before a first order.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Size grading errors between sample and bulk; check every size before packing.
  • Sole separation or cracking found after sale — leads to chargebacks.
  • Late delivery for seasonal ranges; a missed season usually means a cancelled order.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 6403 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. European Chemicals Agency — Understanding REACH
  5. European Commission — EU Deforestation Regulation (application dates and scope)
  6. Council for Leather Exports — official site

Trade data

Indian footwear exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 1.69 bn
+5.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -4.7%
US$ 1.78 bn → US$ 1.69 bn
Buyer countries
146
Average export price
US$ 16.10
per kg · 1,05,207 tonnes shipped · US$ 15.67 the year before
United States of America: US$ 363 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 221 mnGermany: US$ 212 mnNetherlands: US$ 131 mnItaly: US$ 92.8 mnSpain: US$ 89.5 mnFrance: US$ 71.9 mnPoland: US$ 66.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 58.8 mnChina: US$ 39.9 mnBelgium: US$ 37.4 mnJapan: US$ 27.4 mnCanada: US$ 16.1 mnAustralia: US$ 15.6 mnAustria: US$ 15.4 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 14.7 mnMexico: US$ 13.8 mnChile: US$ 13.5 mnNorway: US$ 13.4 mnSouth Korea: US$ 13.3 mnSouth Africa: US$ 11.9 mnDenmark: US$ 10.5 mnIsrael: US$ 9.2 mnSweden: US$ 7 mnUnited States of America: US$ 363 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Kingdom: US$ 221 mnUnited KingdomGermany: US$ 212 mnNetherlands: US$ 131 mnItaly: US$ 92.8 mnItalySpain: US$ 89.5 mnFrance: US$ 71.9 mnPoland: US$ 66.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 58.8 mnUnited Arab EmiratesChina: US$ 39.9 mnChinaBelgium: US$ 37.4 mnJapan: US$ 27.4 mnCanada: US$ 16.1 mnAustralia: US$ 15.6 mnAustraliaAustria: US$ 15.4 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 14.7 mnMexico: US$ 13.8 mnChile: US$ 13.5 mnNorway: US$ 13.4 mnSouth Korea: US$ 13.3 mnSouth Africa: US$ 11.9 mnDenmark: US$ 10.5 mnIsrael: US$ 9.2 mnSweden: US$ 7 mnIndia
Where Indian footwear goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 1.32 bn1.3k2020-212021-22: US$ 1.8 bn1.8k2021-222022-23: US$ 2.15 bn2.1k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.81 bn1.8k2023-242024-25: US$ 1.78 bn1.8k2024-252025-26: US$ 1.69 bn1.7k2025-26
India’s footwear exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 14% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 14.12 per kg14.122021-22: US$ 14.90 per kg2022-23: US$ 16.13 per kg16.132024-25: US$ 15.67 per kg2025-26: US$ 16.10 per kg16.102020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian footwear · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 1.32 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 1.8 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 2.15 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.81 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.78 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.69 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.93 bn (US$ 1.54 bn – US$ 2.42 bn)1.9k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.99 bn (US$ 1.55 bn – US$ 2.56 bn)2.0k2027-28
India’s footwear exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.99 bn

Likely range US$ 1.55 bn to US$ 2.56 bn.

Trend
+3% a year
Fit (R²)
0.12 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United States of AmericaUS$ 363 mn-4.3%
2United KingdomUS$ 221 mn-10.1%
3GermanyUS$ 212 mn+1.9%
4NetherlandsUS$ 131 mn+12.1%
5ItalyUS$ 92.8 mn-13.5%
6SpainUS$ 89.5 mn+0.8%
7FranceUS$ 71.9 mn-13.1%
8PolandUS$ 66.8 mn-0.6%
9United Arab EmiratesUS$ 58.8 mn+25.6%
10ChinaUS$ 39.9 mn-24.8%
11BelgiumUS$ 37.4 mn-51.3%
12JapanUS$ 27.4 mn+8.2%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. HungaryUS$ 13.2 mn → US$ 19.2 mn+46%
  2. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 46.8 mn → US$ 58.8 mn+25.6%
  3. NetherlandsUS$ 116 mn → US$ 131 mn+12.1%

Low demand

  1. BelgiumUS$ 76.7 mn → US$ 37.4 mn-51.3%
  2. ChinaUS$ 53 mn → US$ 39.9 mn-24.8%
  3. ItalyUS$ 107 mn → US$ 92.8 mn-13.5%
  4. FranceUS$ 82.7 mn → US$ 71.9 mn-13.1%
  5. CanadaUS$ 18.2 mn → US$ 16.1 mn-11.6%
  6. United KingdomUS$ 246 mn → US$ 221 mn-10.1%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Other sport ftwr with outer soles of rubber6403 19 20 · Sports footwear,, with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leatherUS$ 297 mn-6.1%22.7 mn pairsUS$ 13.07 per pairwas US$ 13.20
Lthr footwear of plstc and synthtc sole6403 91 20 · Footwear in heading no. 6403, covering the ankle, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather…US$ 244 mn-2.7%12.0 mn pairsUS$ 20.35 per pairwas US$ 19.74
Footwear in heading no. 6403, covering the ankle, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather… — lthr ftwear of other sole6403 91 90US$ 233 mn-2.3%12.5 mn pairsUS$ 18.63 per pairwas US$ 17.61
Lthr boots and other footwear with rubr sole6403 91 10 · Footwear in heading no. 6403, covering the ankle, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather…US$ 220 mn+18.6%10.2 mn pairsUS$ 21.59 per pairwas US$ 21.49
Lthr sandals with other sole6403 99 90 · Footwear in heading no. 6403,, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherUS$ 194 mn-14.1%14.8 mn pairsUS$ 13.06 per pairwas US$ 12.85
Ankle cvrd all lthr shoes for men6403 51 11 · Footwear in heading no. 6403, with outer soles and uppers of leather, covering the ankleUS$ 129 mn-17.2%5.7 mn pairsUS$ 22.59 per pairwas US$ 22.59
Other ftwear incrprtng prtcve metl toe-cap6403 40 00 · Footwear, with metal toe-cap, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, uppers of…US$ 126 mn+12.3%10.4 mn pairsUS$ 12.09 per pairwas US$ 11.09
Leather sandals with plastc/synthtc sole6403 99 20 · Footwear in heading no. 6403,, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherUS$ 75.6 mn-9.5%5.8 mn pairsUS$ 13.09 per pairwas US$ 12.71
Ankle cvrd all lthr shoes for women6403 51 12 · Footwear in heading no. 6403, with outer soles and uppers of leather, covering the ankleUS$ 54.4 mn+0.1%2.5 mn pairsUS$ 22.09 per pairwas US$ 20.67
Leather sandals with rubber sole6403 99 10 · Footwear in heading no. 6403,, outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherUS$ 44.6 mn-19.5%3.0 mn pairsUS$ 14.89 per pairwas US$ 14.19
Ankle cvrd all lthr shoes for chldrn6403 51 13 · Footwear in heading no. 6403, with outer soles and uppers of leather, covering the ankleUS$ 24.2 mn-0.9%1.9 mn pairsUS$ 12.93 per pairwas US$ 12.59
Other ftwear with outer sole of lthr for men6403 59 10 · Footwear in heading no. 6403,, outer soles and uppers of leatherUS$ 16.7 mn-42.8%1.0 mn pairsUS$ 16.08 per pairwas US$ 16.37
Other ftwr with outr sole of lthr for women6403 59 20 · Footwear in heading no. 6403,, outer soles and uppers of leatherUS$ 12.5 mn-36.7%835k pairsUS$ 15.01 per pairwas US$ 16.10
Others-of-ftwear with outr soles of rubr,plstcs, with uppers of leather6403 19 90 · Sports footwear,, with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leatherUS$ 7.2 mn-11.1%424k pairsUS$ 17.08 per pairwas US$ 13.40

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 56.7 bn
2023
India among exporters
#8
of 149 countries
India’s share of world exports
3.3%
US$ 1.84 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 53.7 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ItalyUS$ 8.94 bn 16.1%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 8.49 bn 15.3%
  3. 3Viet NamUS$ 7.07 bn 12.7%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 4.85 bn 8.7%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 2.99 bn 5.4%
  6. 6IndonesiaUS$ 2.98 bn 5.4%
  7. 7NetherlandsUS$ 2.44 bn 4.4%
  8. 8IndiaUS$ 1.84 bn 3.3%
  9. 9PortugalUS$ 1.69 bn 3.1%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 1.67 bn 3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 11.5 bn 20.4%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 5.65 bn 10%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 4.14 bn 7.3%
  4. 4ItalyUS$ 3.38 bn 6%
  5. 5ChinaUS$ 2.97 bn 5.2%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 2.74 bn 4.8%
  7. 7United KingdomUS$ 2.25 bn 4%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 1.89 bn 3.3%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 1.62 bn 2.9%
  10. 10Rep. of KoreaUS$ 1.6 bn 2.8%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 11.8 bnIndia 3.1% · gap US$ 11.5 bn
GermanyUS$ 5.71 bnIndia 6.9% · gap US$ 5.32 bn
FranceUS$ 4.05 bnIndia 4.9% · gap US$ 3.85 bn
ItalyUS$ 3.21 bnIndia 3.4% · gap US$ 3.1 bn
ChinaUS$ 2.94 bnIndia 2.4% · gap US$ 2.88 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 2.63 bnIndia 2.4% · gap US$ 2.57 bn
United KingdomUS$ 2.25 bnIndia 9.2% · gap US$ 2.05 bn
SpainUS$ 1.76 bnIndia 6.2% · gap US$ 1.65 bn
South KoreaUS$ 1.39 bnIndia 2% · gap US$ 1.36 bn
JapanUS$ 1.32 bnIndia 1.7% · gap US$ 1.3 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export footwear

India is the world's second-largest footwear producer, after China, though most of its output is sold at home. In exports, China, Vietnam and Indonesia lead by far, with Italy strong in premium shoes. India's export strength is leather footwear from Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, Ambur and Vaniyambadi, and a growing non-leather segment. Demand comes from European and US brands looking to diversify sourcing, and openings are in leather casual and formal shoes, safety footwear, and sandals and chappals for mid-price brands.

  1. 01Last and pattern

    Agree the last and size grading with the buyer; cut patterns.

  2. 02Sample rounds

    Make fit, salesman and confirmation samples; get written approvals.

  3. 03Material testing

    Test leather, soles, adhesives and finished shoes before bulk.

  4. 04Production

    Cut, close uppers, last, sole and finish with inline checks.

  5. 05Final inspection

    AQL inspection on pairing, sizes, bonding, colour and box labels.

  6. 06Ship

    Pack by the buyer's assortment, file the shipping bill, claim RoDTEP and drawback.

  7. 07Payment

    LC or documents against payment; for open account use ECGC cover.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting footwear

What are the EU footwear labelling pictograms?
Under Directive 94/11/EC, the label shows the material of the upper, the lining and sock, and the outsole, using symbols for leather, coated leather, textile and other materials.
Can I export safety shoes without CE?
Not to the EU if they are sold as safety footwear. You need an EU type-examination certificate from a notified body.
What causes sole separation complaints?
Poor roughing, wrong adhesive or short curing time. Test bond strength on every new material combination.
Which council helps footwear exporters?
CLE, the Council for Leather Exports, covers leather and non-leather footwear.
Is there a minimum order for shoes?
Factories usually set a minimum per style and colour because each last and cutting die costs money. Price small orders accordingly.
Sources (7)
  1. CLE (Council for Leather Exports) — official site
  2. EUR-Lex — Directive 94/11/EC on labelling of the materials used in footwear
  3. ECHA — substances restricted under REACH (Annex XVII list with conditions)
  4. Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) — testing laboratories
  5. CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai
  6. European Commission — CE marking
  7. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories

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