From SLG (wallets, cardholders) to belts, handbags, watch straps and small travel goods, India’s leather hubs blend legacy tannery ecosystems with modern compliance (LWG, REACH, ZDHC). For non-leather briefs, India also offers mature vegan alternatives (microfibre PU, cork, recycled-PET textiles, pineapple-leaf fiber) with export-grade finishing.

• Core clusters: Kanpur (belts, SLG, equestrian), Kolkata/Bantala (handbags, SLG), Chennai–Ambur–Vaniyambadi–Ranipet (straps, footwear/uppers, handbags), Agra/Noida (belts & bags), Jalandhar (sports/leather gloves), Mumbai–Dharavi (artisan runs)
  
• Typical lead time: Samples 10–21 days • Production 7–9 weeks (hardware development +1–2 wks)
  
• Typical MOQ: 200–700 pcs per SKU/colour (belts often by size-run; straps 300–500/colour)
  
• Nearest ports: Kolkata/Haldia • Chennai/Tuticorin • Nhava Sheva • ICD Dadri → Nhava Sheva/Mundra (for Kanpur/Noida)
  

What we make (OEM/ODM)

SLG: bi-fold/tri-fold wallets, zipped wallets, cardholders, coin pouches, passport covers, key cases
Belts: dress, casual, reversible, braided, workwear; pin/auto/box buckles
Bags: totes, crossbody, shoulder, backpacks, sling, laptop sleeves, cosmetic pouches, weekenders/duffels
Straps & Wearables: watch straps (quick-release), camera straps, AirTag/key fobs
Specialties: equestrian tack (Kanpur), artisanal hand-stitch lines (Dharavi/Jaipur craft), glove programs (Jalandhar)

Materials & construction

Leathers

• Full-grain / Top-grain cowhide: aniline, semi-aniline, corrected-grain
  
• Pull-up & oiled nubuck, suede/split (spec for rub fastness)
  
• Veg-tanned & metal-free options for belts/SLG; embossed grains (Saffiano, pebble)
  
• By-products: buffalo for rugged belts; goat for fine SLG linings
  

Vegan / alt-materials

• Microfibre PU (DMF-free options), cork, recycled-PET canvas, pineapple-leaf fibre blends, cotton canvas with wax/oil finishes
  

Linings & reinforcements

• Poly twill/microfibre suede, cotton canvas • non-woven stiffeners, fiberboard, EVA/foam, webbing tapes
  

Threads & adhesives

• Bonded nylon/poly (spec SPI, tex size) • water-based adhesives wherever possible
  

Edges & finishes

• Burnished + wax • multi-coat edge-paint (2–3 coats, heat-set) • folded/turned edges where required
  

Hardware

• Buckles, D-rings, snaps, rivets, sliders, zips; finishes: nickel, brass, antique brass, gunmetal, matte black
  
• Plating specs: thickness & salt-spray hours; nickel-release / lead content as required
  

Branding

• Blind/foil deboss, print, metal logos, woven labels, laser on hardware
  

Cluster strengths

• Kanpur (UP): belts, SLG, equestrian; strong price-points; robust stitching & finishing lines
  
• Kolkata/Bantala (WB): handbag/SLG capacity; pattern-making, edge-paint mastery, multi-colour MOQs
  
• Chennai–Ambur–Vaniyambadi–Ranipet (TN): straps, uppers, premium finishing, LWG-rated tanneries
  
• Agra/Noida (UP): belts/bags at scale; quick re-orders; mixed material programs
  
• Jalandhar (PB): sports/leather gloves (cut-and-sew; padding; knuckle protection)
  
• Mumbai–Dharavi: artisan/small-batch, hand-stitch, show-piece protos
  

Quality & compliance

• REACH / CPSIA / Prop 65 aligned: azo-dye free, Cr(VI) not detected, formaldehyde limits, phthalate checks for PVC where used
  
• Rub-fastness: Veslic/Crockmeter dry/wet; Bally flex for cracking; hydrolysis for PU microfibre
  
• Leather physicals: tensile/tear, stitch strength, adhesion of finishes, colourfastness to perspiration/water
  
• Hardware: coating thickness, pull tests, nickel release, salt-spray (24–96 hrs as spec’d)
  
• RFID blocking (for wallets): shielding material spec + field test
  
• AQL: General II, 2.5/4.0 typical for SLG/belts
  
• Social & environmental: LWG-rated tanneries on request; SMETA/BSCI/SA8000 facilities where required
  

Packaging & “retail-ready” details

• In-box: tissue wrap, care card, silica gel, anti-tarnish tab, dust bag/box as needed
  
• Cartons: 5/7-ply with dividers, polybag vent holes, humidity control for sea freight
  
• Labels: item code, colour, size run (for belts), barcode/UPC/EAN, COO, handling icons
  

Sustainability options

Vegetable-tanned or metal-free leathers • LWG Gold/Silver tanneries • water-based finishes & adhesives • recycled hardware options • recycled-paper boxes & molded-pulp trays • vegan lines (microfibre/cork/recycled-PET).

Pricing drivers

Hide selection & grade • finish type (aniline > corrected) • thickness/splits • pattern complexity & SPI • edge-paint coats • hardware spec & plating hours • lining & reinforcement package • packaging (box vs poly) • compliance test scope.

RFQ spec templates

Bi-fold Wallet (SLG)

Material: Top-grain cow, 1.2–1.4 mm; pebble grain, semi-aniline

Lining: Microfibre suede, black

Construction: Turned edges + edge-paint (3 coats, heat-set); SPI 7–8

Layout: 6 card slots + 2 slip + 1 billfold with divider

Branding: Blind deboss 25 mm front; logo stamp inside

Tests: Rub fastness dry/wet; stitch strength; nickel-release on snaps

Packaging: Branded gift box + care card; poly with vent; silica gel

Qty: 1,000 pcs (2 colours split 60/40) | Lead: 8 weeks | Port: Kolkata

Belt (Dress)

Strap: Veg-tanned cow, 3.2–3.6 mm; single piece, edge-paint (2 coats)

Width: 34 mm | Lengths: 32–42 (US) size run

Buckle: Zinc alloy pin, brushed nickel, 15–20 μm; salt-spray 48 h

Keepers: 1 leather + 1 floating | Holes: 5, 25 mm pitch

Branding: Deboss logo near tip | SPI: 6–7

Packaging: Individual sleeve + size sticker; 25/ctn

Qty: 1,200 pcs | Lead: 7 weeks | Port: Nhava Sheva

Tote Bag

Shell: Full-grain cow 1.6–1.8 mm; colour match to chip

Lining: Cotton canvas 12 oz, natural | Pockets: 1 zip, 2 slip

Handles: 25 mm straps with internal webbing; drop 260 mm

Edge: Turned top edge; base board + metal feet

Hardware: Antique brass; nickel-release compliant

Closure: Hidden magnet (EN71-3 safe levels)

Packaging: Dust bag + box; hangtag with care icons

Qty: 500 pcs | Lead: 9 weeks | Port: Chennai

Watch Strap (Quick-Release)

Top: Calf 1.2 mm; Lining: hypoallergenic leather 0.8–1.0 mm

Padding: 3.5→2.0 mm taper; 20/22 mm lug widths

Stitch: contrast thread, SPI 8–9; painted edges 3 coats

Hardware: SS buckle, brushed; spring bars quick-release

Tests: Sweat colourfastness; flex 5k cycles; nickel release

Qty: 300/colour/size | Lead: 7–8 weeks

Sample product blueprints

• “Ledger” Slim Wallet – microfibre leather, 6-slot, RFID blocking, gift-box; MOQ 800, 7–8 weeks.
  
• “Foundry” Work Belt – buffalo full-grain 4 mm, heavy stitch, matte black buckle 72-h salt-spray; MOQ 600, 7 weeks.
  
• “Harbour” Tote – full-grain + canvas lining, antique brass hardware, dust bag; MOQ 500, 9 weeks.
  
• “Atlas” Quick-Release Strap – calf + hypoallergenic lining, taper 20→18; MOQ 300/size, 8 weeks.
  

Common pitfalls & our guard-rails

• Crocking/colour rub-off → Veslic tests at PP; switch to pigment/top-coat where needed.
  
• Edge-paint cracking → correct prep, coat count, heat-set temps; bend tests at QC.
  
• Buckle plating wear → define μm & salt-spray hours; switch to SS or brass at stress points.
  
• Tight card slots / warped panels → slot gauges & production templates; humidity control in cutting/assembly rooms.
  
• Odour/solvent residue → water-based adhesives; ventilation/curing time; odour spec and sniff QC.
  

Mini case snapshot

A European D2C accessories brand moved its wallet & belt line to Kolkata + Kanpur with LWG-sourced leather and e-comm-safe packaging. Result: returns down 27% (edge-paint & plating stability), parcel damage down 35%, and on-site heat-set SOPs cut shade variances across re-orders.

Documentation & HS codes

• 4202 (handbags, wallets, cases, toiletry/cosmetic, travel goods)
  
• 4203 (apparel & clothing accessories incl. belts)
  
• 4201 (saddlery/equestrian)
  
• 9113 (watch straps)
  Plus: packing list, COO, material declaration, LWG/SMETA copies (if requested), test reports (REACH/Prop 65, nickel release), care labels.
  

Buyer FAQs

Can I split colours to hit MOQ?
Yes—common 60/40 or 50/50 if leather/hardware share lines.
Chrome-free or veg-tan only?
Available; we’ll match tanneries and finishes to your use case (belts vs SLG).
Vegan lines with premium feel?
DMF-free microfibre and cork programs with edge-paint & deboss branding are standard.
RFID blocking?
We spec shielding, test with field meters, and keep control samples with retains.
Nickel-free hardware?
Specify finish + nickel-release; we’ll certify and track lots.

IndiaUnbox advantage

• Pattern-to-production: dielines, SPI maps, edge-paint cycles, hardware BOMs factories can execute.
  
• Right-hub routing: belts/equestrian → Kanpur; handbags/SLG → Kolkata/Chennai; artisan runs → Mumbai/Jaipur.
  
• Golden sample & retains: shade panels and edge-paint chips locked; ΔE and rub limits in PO.
  
• Live QC: AQL with crock/edge/flex spot tests; plating μm readings; photo/video reports.
  
• Pack engineering: retail gift boxes or e-comm mailer-safe packs with anti-tarnish and humidity control.
  
• Door-to-door: freight, customs, and compliance docs handled; repeat-order dashboards to keep shades/hardware consistent.
  

Ready to brief?

• RFQ (Wallets & SLG): /rfq?cluster=leather&product=slg
  
• RFQ (Belts): /rfq?cluster=leather&product=belts
  
• RFQ (Handbags & Totes): /rfq?cluster=leather&product=bags
  
• RFQ (Watch Straps): /rfq?cluster=leather&product=straps
  
• RFQ (Vegan Line): /rfq?cluster=leather&product=vegan