For women

Women's leather-upper footwear with rubber, plastics or composition soles

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 11226 · WCCB OVERLAY

HSN 6403 59 20 (leather-upper footwear for women) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard — IS 11226:1993, IS 1989 (Part 1), IS 1989 (Part 2), IS 14544:2022, IS 17012:2018, IS 17037:2018, IS 17043 (Part 1), or IS 17043 (Part 2) — is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 01 August 2024, by virtue of the Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024. A CITES certificate administered by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

6403 59 20

Chapter

64 · Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 11226 · effective 01-08-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

WCCBWCCB·Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Compliance steps

1
Identify the correct Indian Standard for the specific footwear type being imported: IS 11226:1993 for leather safety footwear with direct moulded rubber sole; IS 14544:2022 for leather safety and protective footwear with direct moulded polymeric sole; IS 1989 (Part 1) for leather safety boots and shoes for miners; IS 1989 (Part 2) for leather safety boots and shoes for heavy metal industries; IS 17012:2018 for high ankle tactical boots with PU-rubber sole; IS 17037:2018 for anti-riot shoes; IS 17043 (Part 1) for shoes for services; IS 17043 (Part 2) for shoes for general purpose.
Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 1421(E) dated 15-03-2024
2
Verify the foreign manufacturer holds a current BIS CM/L licence against the specific applicable IS standard, covering the exact footwear type, size range, and manufacturing facility. Confirm scope, validity, and facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 1421(E) dated 15-03-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Ensure every pair of footwear bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under a licence from Bureau of Indian Standards, per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024
4
Upload the CITES certificate (document code 626000) in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed. The proper officer verifies this document before granting out-of-charge; absence triggers hold on clearance.
CITES certificate requirement · e-Sanchit document code 626000 · Wildlife Crime Control Bureau overlay
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. Note that the micro and small manufacturing unit exemption under Section 7 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 applies to domestic manufacturers only, not to importers.
S.O. 3775(E) dated 11-08-2022 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006)

A word of counsel

The most common failure on this tariff line is treating it as a single-IS obligation and obtaining a CM/L licence against only IS 11226:1993 when the consignment includes multiple footwear types governed by different standards. Each IS in the Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 maps to a specific product specification — tactical boots, anti-riot shoes, miners' boots, and general-purpose shoes each require a separate, scope-matched CM/L. A CM/L for IS 11226:1993 does not cover IS 17043 (Part 2) shoes for general purpose, and customs detains any product whose ISI mark references a standard not matching the footwear type presented.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 6403 59 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. All leather-upper footwear falling within this tariff item must conform to the applicable Indian Standard and bear the ISI mark under a BIS CM/L licence, with effect from 01 August 2024, under the Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024.

Which Indian Standard applies to footwear under HSN 6403 59 20?

The applicable standard depends on the footwear type: IS 11226:1993, IS 1989 (Part 1), IS 1989 (Part 2), IS 14544:2022, IS 17012:2018, IS 17037:2018, IS 17043 (Part 1), or IS 17043 (Part 2). Each maps to a distinct product specification under S.O. 1421(E).

Does the micro and small enterprise exemption relieve importers from BIS QCO compliance?

No. The exemption under S.O. 3775(E) applies to micro and small manufacturing units as defined in Section 7 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006; it does not extend to importers, who must comply with the BIS QCO regardless of enterprise size.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all footwear types and standards under this tariff item?

No. Each CM/L licence is specific to one Indian Standard, the footwear type covered, and the licensed manufacturing facility. A consignment mixing tactical boots (IS 17012:2018) and general-purpose shoes (IS 17043 Part 2) requires separate CM/L licences for each product type.

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