Hand bags of other materials excluding wicker-work or basket work

Handbags of other materials (excluding wicker or basket work)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4202 29 10 (Handbags of other materials excluding wicker-work or basket work) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Import is generally permissible, with one material-specific prohibition: handbags incorporating seal skin in any form are prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

4202 29 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

Import declaration from DGFT
Material composition certificate from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that no component, lining, trim, or surface material in the consignment constitutes seal skin in any form. Import of seal skin in any form is prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy; consignments containing seal skin are liable to outright rejection and confiscation at the port of entry.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42 — seal skin prohibition
2
Obtain and retain a material composition certificate from the foreign manufacturer specifying the outer surface material and any animal-derived components. Present this at the bill of entry to support the customs officer's verification of the seal-skin prohibition.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 42

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing handbags with decorative fur or skin trim without verifying the species origin of the material. A trim element or lining derived from seal constitutes 'seal skin in any form' under the ITC (HS) prohibition, and partial incorporation does not exempt the consignment. Absent a species-specific certificate from the manufacturer, the customs proper officer may detain the entire consignment pending laboratory verification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4202 29 10 require BIS certification?

No, handbags under this tariff line are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with the operative restriction being a prohibition on seal skin in any form.

What materials are covered by this tariff line?

HSN 4202 29 10 covers handbags of materials other than leather, composition leather, plastic sheeting, textile, vulcanised fibre, or paperboard, and excluding wicker-work or basket work — typically handbags of synthetic or composite non-textile surfaces.

What happens if a consignment is found to contain seal skin?

Import of seal skin in any form is prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy; a consignment found to contain seal skin is liable to confiscation and the importer faces enforcement action under the Customs Act, 1962 and the applicable wildlife-trade prohibition.

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