HS codes & export footprint

• Brass/Copper dinner sets → HS 7418 “Table, kitchen or other household articles… of copper”.
  • India’s exports under HS 7418 were ~US$54 million in 2023; main partners include the US and UK.
• Ceramic dinner sets (stoneware/earthenware) → HS 6912 “Ceramic tableware… other than porcelain or china”.
  • India exported ~US$30 million in 2023 under HS 6912; key destinations included the US (~US$5.25m) and UK (~US$2.96m). Porcelain/bone-china tableware (HS 6911) added ~US$16m.
  

Note: Brass is a copper alloy, so brass dinner sets fall under HS 7418 with copper kitchenware. The HS chapter notes/catalogs confirm the text of these headings.

Why India (regional strengths)

• Brass & copper craft clusters:
  • Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh—centuries-old “Brass City”; the craft is GI-tagged as Moradabad Metal Craft. This cluster supplies hammered/brushed dinner sets, thalis and kalash with lacquer or food-safe coatings.
  • Thatheras of Jandiala Guru (Punjab)—traditional brass/copper utensil-making, recognized by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage; valued for hand-beaten finishes.
  
• Ceramic & stoneware clusters:
  • Khurja (Bulandshahr, UP)—India’s major tableware hub; Khurja Pottery holds a GI tag and hosts hundreds of MSME units producing stoneware/earthenware dinner sets (mugs, plates, bowls) in tunnel-kiln production.
  
• Sector scale (handicrafts):
  • India’s handicrafts exports (which include art metal wares) were ₹31,095 crore (US$3.8 bn) in FY24; EPCH provisional data shows continued momentum in FY25.
  

Quality & performance—what to specify and why

Brass dinner sets (also “kansa/bronze” variants)

• Material standard: Ask for conformance to BIS IS 4822:2022 – Brass and Bronze Cooking Utensils—Specification (defines grades, thicknesses; heavy vs light duty). For brass sheet used to make utensils, IS 422 applies.
  
• Finish: Hand-beaten (thathera), brushed matte, or mirror-polish; clear food-safe lacquer to reduce tarnish is common.
  
• Lining for acids: For the US market, FDA Food Code 2022 §4-101.14 restricts copper or brass contact with foods below pH 6 (e.g., vinegar, citrus) unless properly lined. For copper alloys used with acidic foods, specify tin (kalai) or stainless lining for bowls/serving components.
  
• Migration risk context: Copper release increases with temperature and low pH—reinforces the lining requirement.
  

Buyer spec (example):
All brass dinner plates/bowls to IS 4822:2022 heavy-duty class; interior of any vessel intended for acidic foods tin-lined; exterior clear lacquer; supplier to declare no lead-bearing solders >0.2% on food-contact joints for US compliance (Food Code).

Copper dinner sets

• Use case: Popular for water cups/tumblers and serving thalis; same lining rule as above for acidic foods in US Food Code.
  
• HS compliance: Classify under 7418; if selling brass sub-items, line-item as 7418 with brass subheading where required (e.g., 7418.10.21 “Utensils: of brass” in Indian tariff).
  

Buyer spec (example):
Copper set (thali + katoris + tumbler) with tin-lined interiors; supplier to provide Food-Contact Declaration referencing US Food Code §4-101.14 (lining) for acidic foods and EU Framework Reg. 1935/2004 (general safety) where relevant.

Ceramic dinner sets (earthenware/stoneware/porcelain)

• Food-contact heavy metals:
  • EU: Comply with Directive 84/500/EEC (as amended) on lead & cadmium migration for ceramics; manufacturers should provide a Declaration of Compliance.
  • US: FDA CPG 545.400 & 545.450 outline enforcement/action levels for cadmium & lead in ceramic foodware.
  • India (BIS): IS 3505 (Porcelain crockeryware) and IS 2857 (Earthenware crockeryware) adopt limits aligned with ISO 6486 (test method & permissible limits for Pb/Cd).
  
• Testing methods: Request ISO 6486-1/-2 test reports (release of Pb/Cd) from an ISO/IEC 17025 lab; for water absorption/durability on stoneware, ask for ASTM C373 (density/absorption/porosity) and dishwasher-resistance evidence where required.
  
• Stoneware vs porcelain: Stoneware is high-fired, typically vitreous/low absorption and chip-resistant; porcelain/bone-china (HS 6911) is whiter & more translucent. (Definitional background & test references above.)
  

Buyer spec (example):
12-piece stoneware set, vitrified body; supplier to provide ISO 6486-1/-2 pass (Pb/Cd) and ASTM C373 absorption data; microwave/dishwasher-safe claim validated to relevant EN/industry practice; glaze free of intentional Pb/Cd colorants for US Prop-65 risk management in CA.

India-specific compliance & documents you should collect

• BIS references (where applicable)
  • IS 4822:2022 (brass/bronze cooking utensils).
  • IS 3505 (porcelain crockeryware); IS 2857 (earthenware).
  • If stainless components are used (e.g., handles/inserts), IS 5522 covers stainless steel sheets for utensils.
  
• EU: Framework Reg. (EC) 1935/2004 (general safety/GMP), plus ceramic-specific 84/500/EEC DoC.
  
• US: FDA Food Code 2022 (copper/brass with acidic foods), and CPG 545.400/545.450 (ceramic Pb/Cd).
  

Sourcing checklist

• For brass/copper sets
  ☐ Quote to HS 7418, with sub-line for brass where required; finish (lacquered vs unlacquered), lining (tin/stainless) explicitly stated.
  ☐ Provide IS 4822:2022 compliance letter + alloy composition sheets (no lead-bearing solders on food-contact)
  ☐ US shipments: note Food Code lining rule for pH<6 foods on labels/specs.
  
• For ceramic/stoneware sets
  ☐ Quote to HS 6912 (or 6911 if porcelain/bone-china).
  ☐ Provide ISO 6486-1/-2 test reports (Pb/Cd), plus any BIS marking for domestic sales.
  ☐ Ask for ASTM C373 absorption data for stoneware (vitrification/porosity).
  

Cluster references you can cite in buyer decks

• Moradabad Metal Craft (GI)—Government GI records & dossiers (India).
  
• Khurja Pottery (GI)—GI registry entry; ODOP/UP notes on unit count and production.
  

Quick data appendix

• HS 7418 (copper & brass household articles) – India exports ~US$54m (2023).
• HS 6912 (ceramic tableware other than porcelain) – India exports ~US$30m (2023); US and UK are top markets.
• HS 6911 (porcelain/bone-china tableware) – India ~US$16m (2023) (sum implied by destination values).
• Handicrafts (incl. art metal wares) – ₹31,095 crore (US$3.8bn) in FY24; EPCH shows continued growth into FY25.