Footwear Sector Urges Duty Cuts as Input Costs Surge

India’s leather and footwear industry has urged the government to provide duty exemptions on key inputs as rising global tensions in West Asia have driven up costs by as much as 60%.

Industry representatives have highlighted the sharp increase in prices of critical materials such as synthetic leather, metal accessories, machinery, threads, moulds, and certain chemicals.

The sector has taken up the issue with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, stressing the need for immediate policy support to maintain competitiveness in global markets.

Exporters have also called for the early implementation of the proposed FLOAT (Footwear and Leather Oriented Transformation) scheme, which aims to support the entire value chain—from raw materials to machinery and finished products.

Industry stakeholders believe that timely intervention through duty relief and policy measures could help offset cost pressures and sustain export growth.