DGFT Amends Export Policy for Feathers and Skins — New Certification Requirements Under Notification No. 08/2026-27

Overview of the Amendment

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India has issued Notification No. 08/2026-27 dated 10 April 2026, bringing about a significant regulatory update to the export framework governing feathers, skins, and related animal-origin products. This amendment, effective immediately, introduces a fresh Policy Condition under Chapter 5 of Schedule-II (Export Policy), ITC(HS) 2022, targeting specific ITC(HS) codes and aligning Indian export documentation standards with prevailing European Union and United Kingdom regulatory norms.

The legal authority for this notification flows from Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, further read with Paragraph 1.02 and Paragraph 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time.

Important Note: While the export classification for the affected products continues to remain "Free," exporters must now satisfy enhanced documentation and certification conditions before and after each consignment shipment.

Background and Rationale

India is a notable exporter of animal-origin products, including processed feathers and skins. The European Union and United Kingdom maintain rigorous sanitary and veterinary standards for the import of such goods, requiring detailed health certifications and process documentation from exporting countries. Historically, a regulatory gap existed between what Indian export policy mandated and what destination countries required.

This notification bridges that gap by formalising the certification requirements within the Export Policy framework itself, reducing ambiguity for exporters and enabling smoother clearance at destination ports within the EU and UK. The amendment reflects India's broader commitment to harmonising its trade documentation practices with international standards, particularly those set by major trading partners.

Detailed Provisions of Policy Condition 5

Policy Condition 5, newly inserted under Chapter 5 of Schedule-II (Export Policy), ITC(HS) 2022, contains three distinct sub-clauses, each addressing a specific compliance requirement:

Sub-Clause (i): Pre-Shipment Veterinary Certificate / Shipment Clearance Certificate

The first requirement mandates that a Veterinary Certificate or Shipment Clearance Certificate, conforming to the applicable EU/UK model, must be obtained prior to or at the time of each consignment's dispatch. Key features of this requirement include: