What “Dokra/Dhokra” is (craft & geography)

• A non-ferrous, lost-wax (cire perdue) casting tradition used for tribal statuettes, ritual lamps, utilitarian ware and jewelry. Major clusters: Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Bankura–Dariapur (West Bengal), Adilabad (Telangana), and Sadeibareni/Dhenkanal (Odisha).
  
• Multiple GI tags underline regional authenticity: Bastar Dhokra (Chhattisgarh), Bengal Dokra (West Bengal), Adilabad Dokra (Telangana). Odisha’s Sadeibareni Dhokra Craft is on file (pre-examination).
  
• Material note from West Bengal’s GI compendium: Bengal Dokra artisans predominantly use brass (Cu–Zn), while other regions often use bell-metal/bronze (Cu–Sn).
  

Exports & HS classification

A) Sculptures/ornaments (home décor, ritual ware)

• Typical HS line: 8306 (statuettes & other ornaments of base metal; e.g., 83062900 “not plated with precious metal”). India exported ~US$239 m (2023) of HS-8306, ranking #2 globally; the U.S. is among the largest buyers (for 830629, the U.S. imported US$108 m from India in 2023).
  

B) Dokra jewelry (necklaces, pendants, bangles made of brass/bronze)

• Typical HS line: 7117 (imitation jewellery) for non-precious metal pieces. India exported ~US$145–152 m in 2023, with USA, UK, Spain as top destinations.
  

Tip: One-off art pieces sometimes claim 9703 (original sculpture), but most routine shipments of Dokra décor/jewelry clear under 8306 or 7117. Confirm with your broker per SKU.

Quality & compliance

Craft (statuettes/ornaments – HS 8306)

• Process integrity: true lost-wax build (single-use clay mold broken after casting), clean venting, even wall thickness, and precise finishing/patina. Govt./craft notes document the step-by-step method.
  
• Alloy disclosure: declare brass vs. bronze; avoid leaded scrap. West Bengal GI notes the brass base for Bengal Dokra.
  
• Workmanship: no sharp burrs, stable base, uniform polish/patina; protective wax or lacquer if specified.
  

Jewelry (HS 7117) – chemical safety for export markets

• EU REACH Annex XVII (mandatory):
  
  • Lead in jewellery parts < 0.05% by weight.
    
  • Cadmium in metal jewellery parts < 0.01%.
    
  • Nickel release: ≤ 0.5 µg/cm²/week for skin-contact items; ≤ 0.2 µg/cm²/week for piercing parts (test: EN 1811:2023 update).
    
• Spec pack to request: alloy breakdown; declaration of REACH Annex XVII conformity; EN 1811 nickel-release report (where applicable); finish durability; hook/closure tensile strength.
  

Why India (and each region) is competitive

• GI-anchored provenance & styles:
  
  • Bastar Dhokra (Chhattisgarh) — dense tribal figurines, lamps and zoomorphic forms; officially recognized and promoted by Incredible India.
    
  • Bengal Dokra (Bankura–Bikna & Dariapur) — fine coiled-wire textures and mythic/folk motifs; GI registered with a published roster of authorised users.
    
  • Adilabad Dokra (Telangana) — distinctive tribal idiom; GI-tagged (2018).
    
  • Odisha (Sadeibareni/Dhenkanal) — recognised in the GI system (application on file), signalling protected origin for that cluster too.
    
• Diverse material tradition: regions use brass/bell-metal/bronze based on local supply and lineage—useful for differentiated collections and storytelling.
  
• Export ecosystem: handicrafts exporters’ network (EPCH fairs, marts) + strong U.S./EU demand in 8306/7117 categories supports scale while keeping artisanal character.
  

Buyer checklists you can drop into POs

Dokra ornaments (HS 8306)

• Origin & style (Bastar/Bengal/Adilabad/Sadeibareni); dimensions & weight; alloy (Cu–Zn / Cu–Sn) with no added lead; finishing (patina/lacquer); packaging (corner/abrasion protection); HS 8306.
  

Dokra jewelry (HS 7117)

• Base alloy & plating (if any); REACH Annex XVII declarations (lead <0.05%, cadmium <0.01%, EN 1811 nickel test); clasp strength; tarnish-resistance; HS 7117.
  

Quick numbers

• HS 8306 (India, 2023): ~US$239 m; India = #2 exporter globally; U.S. import of 830629 from India ~US$108 m (2023).
  
• HS 7117 (India, 2023): ~US$145–152 m; top markets USA, UK, Spain.