Quick trade context

• Lamps/lighting (HS 9405) were ~US$309 million of India’s exports in 2023. Top buyers: USA (~41%), UK (~14%), Germany (~8%), UAE (~7%), Netherlands (~3%). Within this, non-electrical lamps/lanterns (HS 9405.50) were ~US$31 million (~10%).
  
• HS mapping you’ll use most: 9405.10 (ceiling/wall electric), 9405.20 (table/floor electric), 9405.40 (other electric), 9405.50 (non-electrical), 9405.9x (parts).
  

Metal lamps & lanterns

Export & cluster snapshot

• India’s non-electrical lanterns/candle holders (HS 9405.50) form a meaningful slice of 9405 exports (≈US$31 m in 2023), and the buyer mix above applies (USA/UK/EU heavy).
  
• Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) is India’s flagship metal-craft/lamp cluster (“Brass City”), with a dense vendor ecosystem (die-making, electroplating, polishing) and a dedicated testing lab (MHSC) for metal handicrafts.
  

Quality & compliance—what buyers check

• Finish durability (corrosion): Salt-spray testing per ISO 9227 / ASTM B117 is widely used to vet plated/powder-coated finishes (e.g., hours to white/red rust).
• Electrical safety (for wired lamps): North America: UL 1598; EU: IEC 60598-1 + CE (LVD 2014/35/EU). Non-electrical candle lanterns fall under general product safety, not LVD.
• General consumer safety (EU): From 13 Dec 2024, the EU GPSR (Reg. 2023/988) governs non-electrical consumer products (stability, warnings, traceability).
  

India-specific strengths

• Moradabad value-chain depth (casting, hand-hammering, engraving, antiquing, electroplating, powder-coat, patinas) + organized testing (MHSC) enable consistent finishes and quicker new-design sampling.
  
• Government recognizes Moradabad as a national handicraft hub (ODOP “Metal Craft, Moradabad”), which concentrates skills and suppliers for lantern programs.
  

Buyer notes (what wins POs)

• Coating stacks validated with salt-spray benchmarks (e.g., ≥240–480 h NSS for indoor; higher for coastal), well-packed glass/metal assemblies, and clean conformity files (UL/IEC test reports when electrified).
  

Bamboo lamps & lanterns

Export & classification

• Electrified bamboo lamps classify under HS 9405.10/20/40; non-electrical bamboo lanterns under 9405.50 (same code as metal lanterns). The 9405 buyer split (USA/UK/EU) generally applies to bamboo lighting too.
  

Region & raw-material advantage

• North-East India (Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, etc.) holds ~38% of India’s bamboo stock and ~one-third of area under bamboo—giving India a structural cost/supply edge for bamboo lighting bodies and shades.
  
• State missions (e.g., Tripura Bamboo Mission) and NECBDC back cluster development and market linkages. Tripura alone hosts ~21 species and supplies a major share of India’s agarbatti stick bamboo—evidence of processing capacity.
  

Quality & compliance—what buyers check

• Preservation & moisture control: BIS standards IS 9096:2006 (structural bamboo) and IS 1902:2006 (non-structural) specify boron (boric acid/borax ~1:1.5 mix) or CCB treatments and good practice (treating green culms). Exporters reference these to avoid insect/fungal failures and cracking.
  
• Electrical safety: Same luminaire standards as above (IEC 60598-1, UL 1598) when wired; non-electrical lanterns sit under general product safety (EU GPSR 2023/988).
  

India-specific strengths

• Species & craft repertoire: Commercial species like Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Melocanna baccifera dominate North-East craft supply—suited for split weaving and formed shades.
  
• Cluster know-how: Traditional splitting, smoking/seasoning and thin-strip weaving (Assam/Tripura) enable light, rigid shades; pairing with standardized electrical kits simplifies compliance for export SKUs.
  

Buyer notes (what wins POs)

• Documented boron/CCB treatment, moisture targets (typically 8–12% for indoor products), and stable finishes (low-VOC lacquers). LVD/UL reports for wired versions; clear flame-safety guidance when used with candles/oil (where applicable, national standards like EN 14059 for oil lamps).
  

Papier-mâché (lamp bases/shades & lanterns)

Export & classification

• Papier-mâché lamp bases/shades (wired) classify in HS 9405.10/20/40; non-electrical lanterns in 9405.50. (Same 9405 destinations apply.)
  

Region & authenticity

• Kashmir Papier-mâché is GI-protected (“Kashmir Paper Machie”) with quality oversight manuals detailing materials and finishing; craft centers around Srinagar and the Valley.
• Tirukanur (Puducherry) papier-mâché is also GI-registered (“Thirukannur Papier Mache Craft”, App. No. 202; 2011) with an official listing in the GI Registry.
  

Quality & compliance—what buyers check

• Body & finish: GI manuals specify substrates (paper pulp/board/light wood), gacch layers, naqashi painting, and varnish—useful for spec stability across batches. (Lamp versions: ensure heat-resistant varnish near lampholder.)
  
• Electrical safety: For wired bases, same IEC 60598-1 / UL 1598 regime. Non-electrical lanterns rely on general product safety rules (EU GPSR 2023/988).

India-specific strengths

• Iconic surface art (naqashi, gilding, floral/bird motifs) + GI verification → authenticity, design value and IP protection in premium décor—useful for storytelling with buyers.
  

What this means for your sourcing brief

• Metal (Moradabad): Lean on MHSC-backed finishing + ISO 9227/ASTM B117 hours for plated/powder-coat specs; ensure UL/IEC reports if electrified.
• Bamboo (NE India): Specify IS 9096 / IS 1902 preservation method, moisture, and weave gauge; electrified models follow IEC/UL. Cluster depth in Assam/Tripura improves continuity.
• Papier-mâché (Kashmir/Tirukanur): Reference GI manuals for materials/finishes; request IEC/UL reports for lamp bases. Use GI tagging in branding.

Appendix: handy references

• India HS 9405 exports 2023 (values, destinations, product split).
  
• HS 9405 headings/sub-headings (what code to use).
  
• Moradabad cluster & MHSC lab.
  
• NE bamboo stock & sector snapshots.
  
• Bamboo preservation standards (In
  
• Luminaire safety standards (IEC 60598-1 / UL 1598) & EU LVD.
  
• EU general product safety for non-electrical lamps (GPSR).
  
• GI: Kashmir Paper Machie & Tirukanur Papier-mâché.