Is the bag on the listing leather, bonded leather or plastic? The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has guidance on how leather and imitation leather should be described. It is guidance for sellers, so we show what it implies for buyers.

This guide is based on the public sources listed at the end. We have not tested the products or services mentioned.

This is a short reference page. The full guide is Shoes, Leather and Fabric Labels: Sizing, Fibre Content, Care Labels and What a Listing Should Show.

What the FTC says

  • The Leather Guides (16 CFR Part 24) help prevent misleading claims about what leather and imitation leather products are made of.
  • If an item looks like leather but is not, it should be labelled as not leather, or with its real material.
  • Leather that is embossed or treated to imitate another type should disclose its true type.
  • Ground, reconstituted or bonded leather that looks like real leather needs a stated percentage of leather (or other) fibre.
  • The same disclosures belong in advertising that could otherwise mislead.

The FTC page shows the Guides were retained in 2008 and reopened for comment in February 2019. It does not give the outcome, so check ftc.gov for their current status.

What to look for on a listing

  1. The material in words: leather, split leather, bonded, polyurethane (PU), vegan leather.
  2. A percentage if it says "bonded".
  3. Where the material is used: outer, lining or trim.
  4. The care instructions and return policy.

We do not rank leather types by quality or durability, because we have no source for that.

See our guide to choosing a handbag or backpack online and understanding fabric labels.

Last checked: 15 October 2026. Sources: US FTC, Leather Guides; US FTC, 1996 announcement of streamlined leather guides.