• GI protection: “Agra Stone Inlay Craft” is Registered as a Geographical Indication on India’s official GI Registry.
  
• ODOP: Agra’s designated One District One Product is Marble Inlay work (longstanding Mughal-era craft; active artisan clusters in Taj Ganj and adjoining localities).
  
• Ecosystem & capacity building: UNESCO’s South Asia office ran entrepreneurship workshops (May 2025) with Agra’s Parchin Kari (pietra-dura) artisans in Taj Ganj—useful signal for cluster readiness and visibility.
  

Product scope & HS mapping

• Tabletops, coasters, trays, plaques, decor, mosaic panels in natural marble with semi-precious stone inlay typically fall under HS 6802 (worked monumental/building stone & articles thereof).
  
• Classification nuance for tabletops (US importers): if tabletops arrive with furniture parts clearly identifying them as furniture, CBP has ruled they may classify under HS 9403.90 (parts of furniture); separately presented stone tops remain in 6802. Build your entries accordingly.
  

India-level proxies for the category

• India exported ≈ US $1.16 billion of HS 6802 in 2023 (-10.9% YoY). Top destinations: USA (~26% / $304 m), Vietnam (~13.5% / $157 m), UK, Germany, UAE, Poland, France. Treat HS 6802 as the best available proxy basket for marble inlay articles/tabletops.
  

Note: official trade stats are not city-split. Attribute to Agra via supplier declarations + GI/ODOP provenance in your SKU master.

Materials, process & workmanship (what to spec / how to check)

• Base stone: traditionally Makrana white marble (Rajasthan)—famously used on the Taj Mahal—paired with inlay stones such as lapis, malachite, carnelian, onyx, MOP, jasper, etc.
  
• Craft process (Parchin Kari): pattern drawing → shaping of stone tesserae → cavity carving in marble → inlay & adhesive set → grinding, polishing, finishing; practiced by specialized karigar units around Taj Ganj.
  
• Quality cues for buyers: tight joints (<0.3 mm on premium), flush surfaces after final lap, no under-polished “halos,” consistent stone thickness, and clean edges; protective felt or cork backing for tabletops/coasters to prevent surface scratching. (Best-practice derived from industry standards and testing below.)
  

Performance testing & compliance

A) Decorative/furniture surfaces (general durability):

• Specify physical properties via common stone tests: ASTM C97 (water absorption/bulk specific gravity), ASTM C99 (modulus of rupture), ASTM C170 (compressive strength), ASTM C880 (flexural), ASTM C241/C1353 (abrasion for foot-traffic/hi-wear areas). Use current Natural Stone Institute guidance when setting acceptance limits.
  

B) Building applications (wall cladding, lobby panels):

• For the EU, natural-stone cladding slabs follow EN 1469 requirements (dimensions, density, flexural strength, water absorption, etc.) alongside CE-marking practice for stone products.
  

C) Food-adjacent items (cheese boards/coasters, etc.):

• EU: general FCM framework Reg. (EC) 1935/2004 applies—ensure sealers/adhesives contacting food are suitable and maintain traceability/DoC.
  
• US: countertop/board coatings can reference 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous & polymeric coatings) where applicable; many stone sealers fall under “housewares,” but buyers often ask for supplier attestations against this benchmark.
  
• California Prop 65 (risk communication): crystalline silica dust (from cutting/grinding during installation) is listed; finished goods are inert in use but include safe-use statements if field-fabrication is expected.
  

Why Agra (region strengths specific to India)

• Heritage + skill density: lineage of inlay specialists anchored to the Taj Mahal tradition; registered GI status strengthens authenticity/IP around “Agra Stone Inlay Craft.”
  
• Integrated craft workflow: clustered micro-units handle stone cutting, cavity carving, inlay, and high-gloss finishing—supports complex floral/arabesque motifs and small-lot sampling for design-led buyers.
  
• Policy tailwinds: ODOP prioritization and visibility programs (GoUP), plus international cultural-economy support (UNESCO).
  

Practical buy-spec

• Item & HS: Marble-inlay tabletop/panel/decor under HS 6802; if importing with furniture parts, confirm HS 9403.90 treatment with broker per shipment configuration.
  
• Base stone: Makrana marble (grade, color, finish: polished/honed; thickness tolerance); declare quarry source where possible.
  
• Inlay stones: list species (e.g., lapis, malachite, carnelian, MOP) and minimum piece thickness; require colorfastness and uniformity.
  
• Adhesive/sealer: epoxy or equivalent; for food-adjacent SKUs, supplier to confirm conformance to EU 1935/2004 and (when relevant) 21 CFR 175.300.
  
• Workmanship: joint gaps ≤ 0.3 mm (premium), no lippage after final lap; back protection (felt/cork) and anti-scratch edge break.
  
• Tests (by application): C97 (≤ 0.5–1.0% absorption target for premium marbles—set your own acceptance), C99/C880 strength, C241/C1353 abrasion for high-wear surfaces; provide recent lab reports (≤ 3 years).
  
• Marking & docs: material spec sheet (stone & inlay list), care instructions (avoid acids), and GI/ODOP provenance statement for storytelling.
  
• Packaging: shock-resistant foam + edge guards; humidity-safe wraps to protect polished faces.