Other

Other leather clothing accessories (protective firefighter gloves)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16874

HSN 4203 40 90 (other leather clothing accessories) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16874:2018 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 13 October 2023, by virtue of the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022. No separate customs-clearance overlay applies beyond the Bureau of Indian Standards obligation.

What this is

HSN code

4203 40 90

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16874:2018 · effective 13-10-2023

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 16874:2018 for protective leather gloves for firefighters. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 · S.O. 1707(E) dated 10-04-2023
2
Ensure each glove bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not on packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022
3
Confirm that the imported articles are not of seal skin in any form. Import of seal skin in any form is prohibited regardless of product category or end use.
ITC (HS) Import Policy · CCR prohibition on seal skin imports under Chapter 42
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention, demurrage, and potential re-export or confiscation.
Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing general leather clothing accessories — belts, wristbands, non-protective gloves — under HSN 4203 40 90 without recognising that the BIS QCO obligation is scope-specific to protective gloves for firefighters conforming to IS 16874:2018. An importer sourcing non-firefighter leather gloves faces no BIS QCO obligation on that product type, but an importer shipping firefighter-specification leather gloves without a valid CM/L licence faces detention at port regardless of the broader accessory classification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4203 40 90 require BIS certification?

Yes, for protective leather gloves for firefighters falling within IS 16874:2018. Conformity under the ISI Mark Scheme is mandatory with effect from 13 October 2023 under the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022.

Does the BIS QCO apply to all leather clothing accessories classified under this HSN?

No. The QCO scope is limited to protective gloves for firefighters conforming to IS 16874:2018; other leather clothing accessories classified here are not within the Protective Textiles QCO scope.

Is import of any leather goods under this HSN absolutely prohibited?

Yes. Import of seal skin in any form is prohibited under the ITC (HS) import policy regardless of the article type or end use.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all glove specifications and manufacturing plants?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification and manufacturing facility; gloves outside the licensed specification or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at port.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / Indian Customs CUSDATA.