DPIIT eases footwear QCO: 4,500 pairs/year R&D import window, compliance relief extended to July 2027
DPIIT amended the footwear Quality Control Order to let manufacturers import up to 4,500 pairs annually for R&D and non-commercial use, marked 'Not for Sale'. BIS compliance exemption pushed out by a year to July 31, 2027, giving brands more runway on innovation and export competitiveness.
What happened
DPIIT amended footwear Quality Control Order allowing manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs annually for R&D and non-commercial use, marked 'Not for Sale'.
Key facts
- 4500 pairs annually
- July 31 2027 deadline
- June 12 2026 effective
Why this matters
Extended compliance runway and an R&D import channel make minority stakes or JV tie-ups with innovation-led foreign footwear brands materially more executable through 2026.