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Of animals covered under Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), other than those of Tariff Item 4303 90 10

Furskin articles of CITES-listed animals (apparel, accessories)

WCCB CLEARANCE

HSN 4303 90 20 covers articles of apparel, clothing accessories and other furskin articles of animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and import is governed by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) CITES permit regime. The ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) subjects this tariff line to CITES compliance, and import of seal skin in any form is absolutely prohibited.

What this is
HSN code
4303 90 20
Chapter
43 · Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof
Primary regulator
WCCB · Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit regime under ITC (HS) policy
Customs documentation
  • CITES certificate from WCCB
  • ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Applicable Partner Government Agencies
WCCBWCCB·Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain a valid CITES certificate for each consignment before shipment. The CITES certificate (document code 626000) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until the document is verified in the system.
    ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 43 · CITES · document code 626000
  2. 2
    Confirm the consignment contains no seal skin in any form. Import of seal skin is prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy regardless of CITES permit status; a consignment found to contain seal skin is liable to confiscation and monetary penalty.
    ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 43 — Prohibition on seal skin
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is presenting a CITES export permit issued by the country of origin without securing the corresponding CITES import permit — both documents are independently required and neither substitutes for the other. A consignment arriving with only the exporting country's CITES document will be detained at the port of entry pending WCCB clearance, accumulating demurrage and ground rent. Separately, any admixture of seal-skin components — however minor — triggers the absolute prohibition and renders the entire consignment liable to confiscation.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 4303 90 20 require BIS certification?
No. There is no BIS Quality Control Order covering furskin articles of CITES-listed animals. Import is governed by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau CITES permit regime under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
What is the document code for the CITES certificate in e-Sanchit, and when must it be uploaded?
The CITES certificate carries document code 626000 and must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed; customs out-of-charge is withheld until the proper officer verifies the upload.
Is any furskin article of seal origin permissible under this tariff line if a CITES permit is produced?
No. Import of seal skin in any form is absolutely prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy for this tariff line; the prohibition is unconditional and a CITES permit does not override it.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: WCCB / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related
ChapterChapter 43 · Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereofHSNARTICLES OF APPAREL, CLOTHING ACCESSORIES AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FuRSKINHSNOther: