Govt eases footwear imports norms for R&D, extends quality compliance deadline till July 2027

The government has extended by one year the deadline for compliance with quality control norms for certain footwear products made from rubber and polymeric materials, according to an official notification.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued the Footwear made from All Rubber and all Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026.

Under the amendment, the compliance deadline specified in the existing quality control order has been extended from July 31, 2026, to July 31, 2027.

The notification also introduces a new exemption for manufacturers of leather and footwear products importing footwear and related articles for research and development (R&D) and non-commercial purposes.

As per the amendment, imports of up to 4,500 pairs annually for R&D and non-commercial use will be exempt from the provisions of the quality control order.

The exemption will be available subject to conditions such as a prohibition on commercial sale, mandatory marking of products as "NOT FOR SALE", and disposal of the imported items as scrap after use.

Manufacturers will also be required to maintain annual records and furnish them to the government when sought.

The notification came into effect on June 12, 2026.

The original quality control order for footwear made from all rubber and polymeric materials and their components was issued in March 2024 and subsequently amended in August 2024.