Key Highlights:

• An overview of India’s leather export.

• The HS codes for finished leather products are 4202, 4203, 4204, and 4205.

• As per export data, the total leather export of finished goods amounted to $2.77 billion during August 2024 - July 2025.

• The top 3 Indian leather exporters are K H Exports India Private Limited​, Bhartiya International Limited,​ and Tangerine Skies Private Limited​.

• The top 3 global buyers of Indian leather are Randa Accessories Leather Goods LLC, Coach Services Inc., and Samsonite Europe NV.

I still remember shopping for Kolhapuri leather chappals as a child with my grandmother. The demand for leather was driven by the handcrafted designs, versatility, comfort, tradition, and, above all, durability. Over the period of years, the demand for leather has grown international.

The rising demand for leather worldwide fuels India's leather export market. The export of finished leather products has risen from £2.45 billion in 2023-2024 to £2.77 billion in 2024-2025. Large-scale production and the huge number of leather exporters back the increasing leather exports.

The highest contributing sector of leather exporters is a mix of small and medium companies under the “others” category. It contributes 84.12% of India's total leather export. As per the export data, K H Exports India Private Limited is a leading leather export company. It topped the leather exports by contributing 3.52%. Followed by Bhartiya International Limited​ (2.78%) and Tangerine Skies Private Limited (2.18%),

According to the export data, the next 5 exporters include Stichwell Exports Private Limited (​0.97%), Gemini Enterprises (​0.95%), S M Lulla Industries Worldwide (​0.95%)​, Alpine Apparels Private Limited (0.90%),​ and J A K Group Private Limited (0.90%). Less than one per cent of all leather exports come from them.

Top 10 Companies That Export Leather

 

Top 5 Trade Partners of India’s Leather Exporters

India’s leather has a worldwide demand driven by its quality, durability, and craftsmanship. The top 5 destinations for leather exporters are:

• United States​

• Germany​

• United Kingdom​

• Spain​

• France​ 

HS Code-wise Indian Leather Export

 

In A Nutshell

Large-scale production from Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc., supports the export of leather. Leather exports are predicted to rise in the upcoming years due to evolving workmanship and the varied needs of consumers.

If you want to expand your network of leather buyers across the globe or explore new destinations for leather export, you can start by tracking the market trends, monitoring competitor businesses, and reaching out to verified buyers through the Ex-Im application.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to export leather?
You can initiate by getting the mandate export certifications. Obtain an IEC certificate by registering with the Council for Leather Exports (CLE). Once you have the mandatory documents, track the market trends and reach out to verified buyers through the Ex-Im application.

2. Which city in India produces the most leather?
The main leather-producing region in Uttar Pradesh is Kanpur. High concentrations of tanneries and production facilities, mainly for footwear, saddlery, and harness products, drive large-scale production and leather export.

3. Who buys the most leather?
India's largest leather buyer is the United States. In 2024–2025, it imported leather from India valued at $803.83 million. The other countries that import significant quantities of leather from India include Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France.

4. What are the different types of leather?
Leather is categorized based on finishing (suede, nubuck, patent, aniline, etc.) and the animal source (cow, goat, etc.) and quality based on the presence of original leather.

5. Is leather in high demand?
Leather export is in high demand across the globe due to its varied use in multiple products like apparel, furniture, shoes, fashion items, and automobiles. Fine quality, style, and durability drive demand for leather.

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