The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has amended the export policy governing feathers, skins and other related animal-origin products under specific ITC(HS) codes.
The revised policy aligns India’s export framework with the prevailing regulatory requirements of the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), particularly with respect to veterinary health and shipment certification standards. The notification came into effect immediately upon issuance.
As part of the amendment, DGFT has inserted a new “Policy Condition 5” under Chapter 5 of Schedule-II (Export Policy) of ITC(HS), 2022. The new condition mandates that a Veterinary Certificate or Shipment Clearance Certificate, conforming to EU/UK standards, must be issued consignment-wise by CAPEXIL. The certificate is required to contain detailed particulars including the exporter’s name and address, address of the registered plant, Import Export Code (IEC), plant approval number and other relevant details as required under the applicable EU/UK regulations.
The notification further provides that after shipment, exporters must also furnish either a “Production Process Certificate” or a “Veterinary Health Certificate” to the overseas buyer. Such certificates are required to mention the HS code, packaging details, origin and destination of goods, vessel name, departure date and veterinary health requirements relating to the exported products.
Importantly, the Veterinary Health Certificate will be jointly issued by CAPEXIL and the Animal Quarantine Officer under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, but only in cases where the importing country specifically mandates such certification.
The amendment applies to three specific ITC(HS) codes, namely: ITC(HS) 05051090 – Feathers of a kind used for stuffing; down – Other; ITC(HS) 05059029 – Other feather (excluding for stuffing purpose) – Other; nd ITC(HS) 05059099 – Skins and other parts – Other
Prior to the amendment, exports under these categories were classified as “Free” subject only to Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 5. Following the notification, exports under these ITC(HS) codes will now be subject to both Policy Condition 1 and the newly inserted Policy Condition 5.
The DGFT clarified that the purpose of the amendment is to harmonise India’s export regime with international sanitary and veterinary standards applicable in EU and UK markets. The notification specifically states that the revised export policy incorporates provisions for issuance of Veterinary Health Certificates wherever required by the importing country.
Notification Details
Notification No. 08/2026-27
Date: 07/05/2026
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