Product scope & HS codes

• Finished cushion covers fall under HS 6304 “other furnishing articles” (sub-headings by fibre: wool 6304.11/.19; cotton 6304.92; MMF 6304.93; other 6304.99). India’s tariff list explicitly lists “Cushion covers, of handloom (6304.92.81)” and “Cushion covers, other (6304.92.89)”.
• Example US customs classification confirms pillow/cushion covers of cotton are classified under 6304.92.
  

Export snapshot (where India stands)

• Within India’s overall export basket, HS Chapter 63 (made-ups/home-furnishings including cushion covers) accounted for ~0.44% of India’s total exports in FY 2023–24 (DGCIS).
  
• Home textile exports grew ~10% in 9M FY2025, with the US the largest market (≈59% in FY2024; ≈56% in 9M FY2025). Outlook FY2025 revenue growth 7–9%. (ICRA industry note).
  
• Europe is structurally important for textile furnishings (cushion covers included): ~60% of EU imports of these products come from developing countries, where India is a key supplier.
  

India’s regional strengths (why India for cushions & covers)

Woven/Jacquard & Value-added made-ups (cotton & blends)

• Panipat (Haryana): one of India’s largest home-furnishing clusters; ~3,095 MSMEs, ~1,915 units (≈62%) in home furnishings. Strong dyeing, weaving, finishing ecosystem; historically dominant in blankets & woven made-ups.
  
• Karur (Tamil Nadu): officially profiled by the Dept. of Textiles, Govt. of Tamil Nadu as the “Hub of Home Textiles in India,” supplying world retail chains; integrated park & multi-association ecosystem. District export plan also flags home textiles as a priority product.
  

Printed (screen & digital) & embellished styles

• Jaipur–Sanganer/Bagru (Rajasthan): historic print hub (block/screen) that underpins the region’s design vocabulary for covers and matches buyers seeking artisanal looks.
  
• Surat (Gujarat): India’s largest MMF dyeing/printing base, with hundreds of processing units supporting high-volume polyester/digital programs for home décor fabrics.
  

Embroidery & craft skills

• India’s embroidery skills (e.g., Lucknow Chikankari, Kutch mirrorwork) are GI-recognized craft clusters frequently adapted onto cushion covers for premium/hand-crafted lines.
  

Category specifics

Embroidered cushion covers

Construction & materials

• Grounds: cotton duck/canvas, twill, linen blends; zips or envelope closures; backing fabrics to control stitch puckering; optional interlinings for heavy bead/sequin work (exporters in Jaipur/Noida, Kutch, Lucknow).
  

Quality focus & tests

• Seam strength/tensile at seam (ISO 13935-1) for woven covers; stitch security around embroidery.
  
• Colorfastness (for dyed/embroidered threads): AATCC 61 (laundering), AATCC 8/ISO 105-X12 (crocking), AATCC 16/ISO 105-B02 (light). Many buyers target at least Grade 4 dry crock and Grade 3 wet crock—common benchmarks in contract furnishings.
  
• Nickel/metal trim limits (pullers, studs) per EU REACH where applicable.
  

India-specific edge

• Hand embroidery competence (GI-tagged traditions) enables low-MOQ, high-detail programs and artisanal storytelling that’s hard to replicate at scale elsewhere.
  

Woven cushion covers (plain-weave, dobby, jacquard)

Construction & materials

• Cotton jacquards from Panipat/Karur; linen-look cotton blends; chenilles; yarn-dyed stripes/checks; concealed zippers or button closures.
  

Quality focus & tests

• Dimensional stability to wash; seam slippage/strength (ISO 13935-1 / ASTM D1683); pilling/abrasion as applicable to yarns (e.g., Martindale, ASTM D4970).
  
• Colorfastness package as above (AATCC/ISO).
  

India-specific edge

• Clustered supply chains (yarn > weaving > dyeing/finishing > CMT) in Panipat & Karur enable competitive lead times and buyer audits (ISO, OEKO-TEX, GOTS commonly seen at cluster level).
  

Digital-printed cushion covers

Print technologies matched to fabric

• Reactive inks (best on cotton/viscose) → bright colours, good wash/light fastness; requires pre/post-treatment.
  
• Pigment inks (multi-fibre, water-lean process) → simpler, fast lead times; hand may be slightly stiffer; ongoing tech improvements.
  
• Sublimation/disperse (polyester) → vibrant, sharp prints; good rub/light for indoor décor.
  

Quality focus & tests

• Wash & crock fastness (AATCC 61; AATCC 8/ISO 105-X12) and light fastness (AATCC 16/ISO 105-B02) by end-use (sun-exposed rooms may need higher light grades).
  

India-specific edge

• Access to Surat’s large-scale printing ecosystem for polyester, and Jaipur/Noida printers for cotton pigment/reactive—supports fast repeats, design variety, and low-to-mid MOQs.
  

Compliance & labeling quick guide (US/EU)

Chemicals & safety

• OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 widely used by Indian exporters; from Jan 1, 2024, PFAS are banned under OEKO-TEX standards, with total fluorine ≤100 mg/kg screening requirement. ECO PASSPORT certifies inks/dyes used for printing.
  
• ZDHC MRSL v3.1—increasingly required by global buyers—to ensure restricted substances are not intentionally used in manufacturing.
  
• EU REACH – Azo dyes (Annex XVII, Entry 43) restricted in textiles that contact skin.
  

Labels

• US: Textile Fiber Rule (16 CFR Part 303) → fiber content, country of origin, RN/brand; Care Label Rule (16 CFR Part 423) applies to apparel & certain piece goods (household textiles may follow best practice care instructions for consumer clarity).
  
• EU: Fibre composition disclosure is mandatory under Reg. (EU) 1007/2011; care symbols generally voluntary (EN ISO 3758 / GINETEX system).
  
• UK (flammability): the furniture fire regulations generally cover filled cushions; decorative covers sold separately are not in scope of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regs. (Always confirm with retailer’s policy.)
  

What to ask suppliers

All covers

• Fabric & fibre: exact fibre % (for labels), fabric weight (gsm), weave/finish; zipper spec & puller composition (REACH nickel).
  
• Testing: share latest AATCC/ISO reports for wash, crock, light; seam strength/slippage; pilling where relevant.
  
• Compliance: current OEKO-TEX® certificates (Standard 100; ECO PASSPORT for inks), ZDHC conformance of wet processing, and factory audits if required
  

Embroidered

• Thread type/fastness data, backing/interlining details, bead/metal trim chemical compliance (lead/nickel), needle-detector SOPs.

Woven/Jacquard

• Yarn-dyed shade continuity controls, dimensional stability specs post-wash, seam strength targets (ISO 13935-1 / ASTM D1683).
  

Digital-printed

• Ink system (reactive/pigment/sublimation) matched to fabric; fastness grade targets by ink/process; waste-water handling (if reactive/disperse).
  

Why India for this category

• Scale + craft: industrial woven/jacquard capacity (Panipat/Karur) + artisanal embroidery/prints (Lucknow/Kutch/Jaipur) in one sourcing country.
  
• Integrated clusters: yarn->weave->dye/print->stitch->pack in close radius = shorter lead times & lower logistics risk.
  
• Global compliance familiarity: exporters widely work with OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, ZDHC and large retailers’ protocols.
  
• Demand tailwind: US and EU remain key pull markets; home textiles grew again in FY2025, supporting new cushion programs.
  

Appendix: test standards referenced (for your tech packs)

• AATCC 61 (colorfastness to laundering), AATCC 8 (crocking/rubbing), AATCC 16 (lightfastness), ISO 105-X12 (rubbing), ISO 105-B02 (light), ISO 13935-1 (seam tensile), ASTM D1683 (seam strength).