Apparel capsules (knitwear, wovens, resort & basics)

Export snapshot (why India):

• India is the world’s #3 textiles & apparel exporter; FY25 T&A exports were ~US$36.6B with RMG (garments) ~44% of the basket. IBEF
  
• Tiruppur is India’s knitwear engine, contributing the bulk of cotton knitwear exports—buyers know it for fast sampling and dense MSME capacity ideal for small runs. Tea India
  

India advantage (clusters & capability):

• Tiruppur (knits), Bengaluru/Delhi‑NCR (wovens), Panipat/Karur (home‑adjacent cut‑and‑sew) = flexible units used to PO splits and repeat drops. Tea Indiatifac.org.in
  

Quality & compliance checklist (what buyers ask for):

• Fabric/trim RSL & chemical safety: OEKO‑TEX® STANDARD 100 and/or GOTS for organic lines. OEKO-TEX®Global Organic Textile Standard
  
• Colorfastness set (ISO 105—rubbing/light/wash) for retail QA. ISO
  
• If shipping to EU: align with REACH Annex XVII (azo colorants etc.). ECHA
  

Include in your brief: tech pack + graded size set, fabric BOM (gsm, composition), test method list (ISO/AATCC), packaging specs (fold, polybag, barcode).

Home textiles lines (cushions, throws, bed & bath)

Export snapshot:

• Textiles & apparel together remain a top Indian export sector; government data puts T&A at ~8% of India’s exports (FY24). texmin.nic.in
  

India advantage (clusters & materials):

• Karur (TN) for table/bed linen; Panipat (HR) for blankets & recycled yarns—deep vendor base suited to short runs and replenishments. tifac.org.inCDNBBSR
  

Quality & compliance checklist:

• Dimensional stability, colorfastness suite (ISO 105 family). ISO
  
• Optional eco‑labels: GOTS (organic cotton), OEKO‑TEX® for harmful substances. Global Organic Textile StandardOEKO-TEX®
  

Include in your brief: weave/knit construction, yarn count, finish (enzymes/peach/stone), seam/label placement, carton/pallet plan.

Scented candles & diffusers (non‑alcohol)

Export snapshot:

• India exported ~US$74M of candles (HS 3406) in 2023; top destinations include US/UK/UAE—good signal for PL candle lines. Trend Economy
  

India advantage (materials & heritage):

• Access to natural aromatics (rose, vetiver, jasmine) and traditional perfumery know‑how via the Kannauj ecosystem (GI‑tagged “Kannauj Perfume”). Excellent for diffuser oils and signature blends. IP India Search
  

Quality & compliance checklist:

• Candles: ASTM F2417 (fire safety), plus labeling & accessory standards cited by US CPSC; EU buyers reference EN 15493. ASTM International | ASTMU.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissioniTeh Standards
  
• Diffusers (non‑alcohol): follow IFRA Standards; reed diffusers fall under IFRA Category 10A in common industry guidance. IFRACandleScience
  

Include in your brief: wax system (soy/blends), burn profile (container size, wick), fragrance load & IFRA cert, CLP/REACH label text (EU), ship mode (limited quantity if applicable), shelf‑ready packaging.

Tableware branding (ceramic, glass, metal)

Export snapshot (by HS families):

• Porcelain/ceramic tableware (HS 6911): India exports globally (UK/US/Brazil among key buyers). The Observatory of Economic Complexity
  
• Iron/steel housewares (HS 7323): significant exports—US, UAE, Saudi Arabia are top markets. The Observatory of Economic Complexity
  

India advantage (specialized clusters):

• Khurja, UP (ceramics)—century‑old pottery hub with GI protection; ideal for glost‑fired, decal, and color‑dipped collections. oriGIn
  
• Firozabad, UP (glass)—“Glass City” with MSMEs in mouth‑blown and pressed ware (vases, drinkware, decor). Odopup
  
• Moradabad, UP (metalware)—large brass/steel art‑metal export cluster for serveware & branded metal tableware. EPCH
  

Food‑contact compliance (what import QA expects):

• EU: Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 + DoC & migration testing for materials. Food Safety
  
• US: FDA CPG 545.450/545.400 set action levels & guidance for lead/cadmium leach in ceramicware. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1
  

Include in your brief: substrate (stoneware/porcelain/SS304/SS316/glass), finish & logo method (decal, laser, engraving), intended use (food‑contact vs decorative), required tests (lead/cadmium migration, LFGB/overall migration for EU).

Labels & packaging support (barcodes, inserts, eco‑paper)

What India offers for low‑MOQ:

• Mature print‑pack hubs with FSC®‑capable converters and flexible dielines for short runs; GS1 India support for GTIN/EAN/UPC barcodes and verification. GS1 India+1
  

Include in your brief: packaging spec (FSC paper? recycled %), barcode symbology (EAN‑13/UPC‑A/ITF‑14 for outers), GTIN allocation, carton tests, insert languages.

How IndiaUnbox runs your Low‑MOQ programs

1. Brief in → spec the SKU list, compliance targets (EU/US), and lab test panel.
   
2. Matchmaking → cluster‑fit suppliers (Tiruppur/Karur/Panipat for softlines; Moradabad/Khurja/Firozabad for tableware; Kannauj/fragrance partners for home fragrance). Tea Indiatifac.org.inCDNBBSREPCHoriGInOdopup
   
3. Samples & packaging → brand assets, dielines, GS1 setup. GS1 India
   
4. Production with QC → on‑line checks to the agreed ISO/ASTM/EN methods; pre‑shipment AQL + lab reports. ASTM International | ASTMU.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissioniTeh Standards
   
5. Logistics → FOB/CIF/DDP with carton‑level traceability.
   

Quick “what to specify” cheat‑sheets (per subcategory)

• Apparel capsules: fabric base, trims RSL, ISO 105 tests, size spec, packaging & barcode. ISOOEKO-TEX®
  
• Home textiles: GSM & weave, shrinkage limits, colorfastness list, carton plan. ISO
  
• Candles/diffusers: wax & wick system, fragrance IFRA cert/category, safety labeling (ASTM/CPSC; EN for EU), transport notes. IFRAU.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionASTM International | ASTMiTeh Standards
  
• Tableware branding: substrate & finish, logo application, food‑contact destination (US/EU), migration tests/DoC. Food SafetyU.S. Food and Drug Administration
  

Labels/packaging: GS1 GTINs, barcode symbology, FSC or recycled spec, print finishes. GS1 India