Plastic moulded suit-cases

Plastic moulded suitcases with outer plastic surface

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4202 12 20 (Plastic moulded suit-cases) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The tariff line carries a prohibition on import of seal skin in any form under the ITC (HS) policy; standard plastic-moulded suitcases not involving seal skin are otherwise freely importable.

What this is

HSN code

4202 12 20

Chapter

42 · Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42

Customs documentation

Import declaration to DGFT
Bill of entry from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the consignment does not involve seal skin in any form. Import of seal skin — including as a component, lining, or trim of a suitcase — is Prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy and attracts confiscation under Customs Act enforcement.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42 — Prohibition on seal skin imports
2
File the bill of entry declaring the outer surface material as plastic. Correct material description is critical: a misdeclared surface material may trigger reclassification to an adjacent tariff line with different policy conditions or duty rates.
ITC (HS) Schedule I, Chapter 42; Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing a suitcase that incorporates seal-skin trim or lining without recognising that the Prohibition attaches to seal skin in any form — including incidental components — not only to whole seal-skin articles. A consignment detained on seal-skin grounds is liable to confiscation and cannot be re-exported without a separate DGFT direction; there is no rectification window once the goods are seized.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4202 12 20 require BIS certification?

No, plastic moulded suitcases are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed solely by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a Prohibition on seal skin in any form.

What exactly is prohibited under the seal-skin restriction for this HSN?

The ITC (HS) policy prohibits import of seal skin in any form; this extends to suitcases incorporating seal skin as a component, lining, or trim, not only standalone seal-skin articles.

Are plastic moulded suitcases free to import if they contain no seal skin?

Yes. Provided the consignment contains no seal skin in any form, the tariff line is freely importable under the ITC (HS) policy with no licence or permit required from DGFT.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.