Hand-bags and shopping bags, of artificial plastic material

Handbags and shopping bags of artificial plastic material

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4202 22 10 (Handbags and shopping bags, of artificial plastic material) is subject to the import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) Schedule. Import is generally free except for a categorical prohibition on seal skin in any form under the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

4202 22 10

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

ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT
Material composition declaration from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that no component of the consignment is manufactured from or contains seal skin in any form. Import of seal skin in any form is Prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy; a consignment containing seal-skin components is liable to confiscation and cannot be re-exported without separate authorisation.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42 — seal skin prohibition
2
File the bill of entry with a material-composition declaration confirming the outer surface is of artificial plastic sheeting (not natural leather or seal skin). Customs officers are empowered to verify material composition at the bill of entry stage; misdeclaration attracts penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing bags described generically as 'plastic handbags' where trim, lining, or handle components contain animal-derived materials, including seal skin, which are not always identified in the commercial invoice. The seal-skin prohibition under the ITC (HS) policy applies to seal skin 'in any form' — including trim, handles, or decorative elements — and a single prohibited component renders the entire consignment liable to seizure and confiscation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4202 22 10 require BIS certification?

No, handbags and shopping bags of artificial plastic material are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a categorical prohibition on seal skin in any form.

Does the seal skin prohibition apply only to bags made entirely of seal skin, or to bags with any seal skin component?

The prohibition applies to seal skin 'in any form' under the ITC (HS) policy — meaning any quantity or component, including trim or handles, renders the consignment Prohibited, not merely bags wholly constructed of seal skin.

Is import of handbags under this HSN otherwise free if seal skin is absent?

Yes. Subject to confirmation that the consignment contains no seal skin in any form, import of handbags and shopping bags of artificial plastic material under HSN 4202 22 10 is otherwise Free under the ITC (HS) policy.

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