Copper Bottles (pure copper, copper-alloy)

Likely HS code: 7418 (Table/kitchen/household articles of copper; includes copper bottles/jugs).

Export snapshot (India, 2023):

• Total exports under HS 7418: ~US$54 million (down ~9% YoY). Top buyers: USA (~22%), Saudi Arabia (~17%), UAE (~13%), UK (~6%). Note: 69% of India’s 7418 exports are “sanitary ware & parts,” but copper household/table articles (incl. bottles) sit in the same heading.
  

Quality & compliance (food contact):

• US (Food Code 2022): Copper/brass must not contact foods with pH < 6.0 (e.g., citrus, vinegar, wine); plain copper is acceptable for water (neutral pH). Many exporters use tin/stainless lining or internal coatings when products may contact acidic beverages. (Ref: FDA Food Code 2022; Chapter 4 excerpts reiterate the pH<6 restriction.)
  
• EU/UK: Follow the Council of Europe (EDQM) Technical Guide (2024, 2nd ed.) for metals & alloys. It sets specific release limits (SRLs) for metals (incl. copper; guide used by market authorities). Labs test migration into food simulants per the guide. (The 2nd ed. is the current reference.)
  
  • (Background: CoE guidance historically applies an SRL for copper ≈ 5 mg/kg food; confirm against the 2024 table during testing since SRLs were updated for some metals.)
    
• Practical specs buyers ask for: Heavy-metal migration test report vs EDQM; declaration that no leaded brass touches food; lining/coating details; LFGB (Germany) testing for food contact (EDQM methods are commonly accepted evidence).
  

India/region strengths:

• Moradabad (UP)—“Brass City”: dense ecosystem for metalware tooling, finishing, plating, in-house test support via the Metal Handicrafts Service Centre (MHSC) (Govt-backed lab for testing/finishing/design).
  
• Jandiala Guru (Punjab)—Thatheras (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage): traditional copper/brass utensil-making (raising, hammering, kalai/tinning). Strong story for craft/value-added SKUs.
  

What “good quality” looks like (buyer checklist):

• Composition: Pure copper (C110/C122) or lead-safe brass parts; tin or food-grade epoxy lining if acidic contact is possible (meets FDA Food Code intent).
  
• Migration testing: Pass EDQM metals SRLs (lab COA).
  
• Finish: Seam weld quality, leak test, lacquer on exterior to reduce tarnish; instruction to avoid acidic liquids in unlined vessels (Food Code).
  

Brass Tumblers

Likely HS code: 7418 (brass is a copper alloy; household/table articles)

Export snapshot: (Same heading as above, so brass tumblers are part of the ~US$54m under HS 7418; USA, KSA, UAE, UK dominate.)

Quality & compliance:

• Acidic beverages rule (US Food Code): same pH<6 restriction for copper alloys such as brass; use tin/stainless/food-safe coatings for lemonade, cocktails, etc.
  
• Lead/nickel concerns:
  
  • EU REACH Annex XVII—Lead (Entry 63): ≤0.05% lead in articles that can be mouthed by children (relevant for certain small cups/shot tumblers marketed to kids) unless very stringent (and hard-to-use) release exceptions are met.
    
  • Nickel release (if nickel-containing finishes interact with skin): references/standards exist (EN 1811), mainly for skin-contact articles; good to keep in mind for handles/rims with nickel finishes.
    
    

India/region strengths:

• Moradabad—hammered, spun, cast brass forms; deep finishing know-how.
  
• Jandiala Guru (Punjab)—hand-raised tumblers, kalai (tin) lining tradition gives a historically accepted food-contact barrier.
  
• Jamnagar (Gujarat)—massive brass components cluster (7,000+ MSMEs), enabling tight tolerances for spun/cast parts and cost-effective hardware (caps, threads, fittings).
  

What “good quality” looks like:

• Composition: Low-lead or lead-free brass; supplier declaration + ICP metal content report. (Lead limits can be buyer-specific; children’s products must observe REACH Entry 63 where applicable.)
  
• Migration: Pass EDQM SRLs for Cu/Zn/Pb/Ni (report from accredited lab).
  
• Lining/finish: Food-safe tin lining (for acidic uses) or clear FDA/EU-compliant coating; exterior lacquer for tarnish control.
  

Clay Kulhads (earthen cups, usually unglazed)

Likely HS code: 6912 (ceramic/earthenware table & kitchen articles other than porcelain/china).

Export snapshot (India, 2023):

• HS 6912 exports: ~US$30 million (+4.9% YoY). Top buyers: Brazil (~34%), USA (~22%), UK (~6.7%), UAE (~5.2%).

Quality & compliance:

• If unglazed (typical kulhad): heavy-metal leaching risk is naturally low, but buyers still request migration tests (to show absence of lead/cadmium).
  
• If glazed/decorated: must pass EU Directive 84/500/EEC (lead/cadmium migration limits) using ISO 6486 methods (EU and Canada explicitly reference ISO 6486-1:2019 for testing).
  
• India (BIS): IS 9806:2001 prescribes test methods and permissible limits for toxic metals released from ceramicware, glassware and glass-ceramicware in contact with food—Indian labs can certify to this.
  

India/region strengths:

• Khurja (UP)—major ceramic tableware hub; GI-tagged “Khurja Pottery” (registered GI no. 178) recognized for household/kitchen ceramics—useful for glazed variants of kulhad or companion lines.
  
• Policy & demand signal: Indian Railways’ push for kulhads (plastic reduction, livelihoods for potters) drove volume adoption domestically—helpful story for sustainability-positioned exports.
  
• Terracotta craft clusters (UP)—e.g., Gorakhpur Terracotta (GI-tag, 2020), reinforcing craft provenance for earthenware SKUs.
  

What “good quality” looks like:

• Material & firing: Low-soluble clay, proper firing (less porosity/wicking).
  
• Migration testing: ISO 6486 (lead/cadmium) COA for any glazed/decorated ware; BIS IS 9806 acceptable for India tenders and as a domestic benchmark.
  
• Functionality: Strength (drop tests), absorption limits, no odor/taste transfer; consistent volume (for café chains/railways).
  

Quick HS guide

• Copper/Brass drinkware: HS 7418 (sub-headings like 7418.10 “table/kitchen articles”). Always align the exact 8-digit with your broker.
  
• Kulhads (earthenware): HS 6912.
  

Where to test in India

• Metal Handicrafts Service Centre (MHSC), Moradabad—Govt-backed lab for metal finishing & testing used by brass/copper exporters.
  

What this means for your line sheet / buyer pitch

• Copper bottles / Brass tumblers: Lead with craft provenance (Moradabad/Jandiala Guru), lining/coating spec (to satisfy US pH rule), and attach an EDQM metals migration report. Add care label (“no acidic liquids in unlined copper/brass”).
  
• Kulhads: Position as unglazed, plastic-free, biodegradable cups with ISO 6486 (if glazed) or BIS IS 9806 test reports; mention the Railways sustainability story and GI craft linkages for premium variants.