Wet blue and crust leather

What it is

Hides that are chrome-tanned (wet blue) or tanned and dried (crust). Finishing units and goods makers buy them to dye, finish and cut into shoes, bags, belts and gloves.

Wet blue (chrome-tanned), wet white (chrome-free)Crust and finished leatherFull grain, corrected grain and split

Where India produces it

1. West BengalSouth 24 Parganas

   Kolkata Leather Complex (Bantala) tanneries and leather goods units.

2. Uttar PradeshAgra

   Leather footwear cluster that buys finished leather.

3. MaharashtraKolhapur

   Vegetable-tanned leather for Kolhapuri chappals.

Where imports come from

• Argentina — US$ 31.2 million of imports under HS 4104 in 2025-26.
• Bangladesh — US$ 16.19 million of imports under HS 4104 in 2025-26.
• Italy — US$ 15.1 million of imports under HS 4104 in 2025-26.

Rules before you buy or sell

• Leather footwear made from it is under the Footwear made from Leather and other materials (Quality Control) Order (e.g. IS 15844 sports footwear, IS 17043 shoes).

Storage and handling

Keep wet blue wrapped and moist in a cool place and process within weeks; crust leather stays dry and flat.

Businesses that use it

Leather Shoe Manufacturing →Leather Bag Making →Leather Waist Belt Making →Leather Wallets and Purses →Leather Jacket Making →Industrial Leather Hand Gloves →Fancy Leather Gloves →Leather Watch Strap Making →Footwear & Leather Goods Unit →