What this covers (typical HS headings)
- Utensils & household articles (brass = copper–zinc alloy): HS 7418 (table/kitchen/household); HS 7419 (other copper/brass articles).
- Religious/ornamental articles (bells, gongs, statuettes, puja décor): HS 8306 (e.g., 830610 for bells).
- Non-electrical brass oil lamps/“diyas”: HS 9405.50 (non-electrical lamps & lighting fittings).
Where it’s made & why it’s region-specific
- Rewari (Rewari town, Thathera Mohalla) is officially listed for brassware craft in Haryana’s handicraft mapping (Govt. of India/MOSPI), reflecting a long-standing thathera (coppersmith–brass) community.
- The Crafts Council of India also maps Rewari → Brassware (Thathera Mohalla), corroborating the cluster’s location and craft identity.
- Kurukshetra: the MSME district profile identifies “Aluminum/Brass Utensils” and “Handicraft articles of metal ware” among export-oriented opportunities—this sits on the Delhi–Ambala corridor with ready logistics access for NCR exports and pilgrimage-led domestic demand (puja ware).
Craft/process highlights (Rewari metal work): hand-hammering brass sheet on dies, brazed joints, and traditional tin-lining (kalai) for food-contact wares—consistent with north-Indian thathera practice.
Export snapshot (India; useful as proxy for the cluster)
- HS 7418 (table/kitchen/household copper articles): US$ 54 million exports in 2023; top buyers include USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK.
- HS 7419 (other copper/brass articles): US$ 338 million exports in 2023.
- HS 8306 (bells/gongs/statuettes, etc.): US$ 31.2 million exports in 2023; 830610 (bells/gongs) = US$ 12.7 million.
Note: Brass “diyas”/oil lamps can fall under 9405.50 instead of 8306 depending on essential character; customs rulings and Indian tariff references confirm lamp classifications under 9405
Quality & compliance
Indian domestic standards (BIS/FSSAI)
- BIS IS 4822:2022 — Brass & Bronze Cooking Utensils — Specification (heavy vs light duty, workmanship, materials). (Revised from IS 4822:1981.)
- FSSAI regs: copper/brass must be properly lined for food use; licensing compendium explicitly states “Brass utensils shall be frequently provided with lining.”
- Cookware/Utensils QCO 2024 (DPIIT) — mandatory BIS Standard Mark for cookware/utensils placed on the Indian market (effective Sept 1, 2024; staggered timelines for MSMEs). Useful if selling domestically or private-labeling for India.
Key export-market rules to plan for
- EU REACH Annex XVII restrictions (lead, nickel release, cadmium, etc.) apply to consumer articles (e.g., ornaments/skin-contact items like bangles/handles). Use low-lead brass and nickel-safe finishes; verify to EN 1811 for nickel release where relevant.
- US FDA Food Code (2022): copper & brass may not contact foods with pH < 6 (vinegar, fruit juice, wine) unless in specific brewing steps—practically, export utensils should be lined/lacquered & labeled for intended use.
Product, quality, and strengths (specific to Kurukshetra–Rewari)
- Utility-led product mix: water/storage vessels (tokni, kund), cooking pots (patili/dekchi), large trays (parat), puja thalis, bells, oil lamps—mirrors the region’s historic utility craft and religious-tourism demand from Kurukshetra.
- Sheet-metal expertise & finish: strong in die-forming/planishing, brazing, kalai (tin-lining)—a capability base that supports food-contact wares complying with FSSAI/BIS specs.
- Cluster adjacency: brassware also mapped at Jagadhari (Yamunanagar)—within trucking range for raw material/tooling spillovers.
Buyer checklist
- HS & end-use: confirm 7418/7419 vs 8306 vs 9405 up front to avoid customs surprises.
- Material: declare brass grade & lead max; for EU retail ask for REACH Annex XVII compliance reports (lead/cadmium/nickel as applicable).
- Food-contact: if for acidic foods, require tin-lining per FSSAI; for India market, require BIS IS 4822:2022 compliance + QCO Standard Mark.
- Finish: specify kalai (tin) / stainless inner / food-safe lacquer depending on use and target market rules (FDA Food Code pH rule for US).
- Testing docs: ask suppliers for BIS license (if India market), REACH test reports, and migration/heavy-metal test summaries for export markets.
