Terracotta Items (India)
What it is / where it’s specific to India
- Major GI-recognised clusters include Bankura Panchmura Terracotta (West Bengal) and Gorakhpur Terracotta (Uttar Pradesh); Rajasthan’s Molela Clay Work is another hallmark style (temple plaques). GI recognition anchors provenance and traditional techniques. IP Indiaorigin-gi.comIntellectual Property India
Customs classification (HS)
- HS 6913 – Ceramic statuettes & ornamental articles (typical for decor pieces). The Observatory of Economic Complexity
- HS 6912 – Ceramic tableware & kitchenware (if sold as food-contact plates/cups). (Standard tariff scope per HS.) Law Resource
India exports (latest available)
- India exported ~US$15.6 million of ornamental ceramics (HS 6913) in 2023. The Observatory of Economic Complexity
- For the non-porcelain subset (HS 691390), India exported ~US$13.3 million in 2023. The Observatory of Economic Complexity
Quality & compliance (what buyers look for)
- Food-contact terracotta (tableware) must comply with lead & cadmium migration limits in the EU (Council Directive 84/500/EEC as amended by 2005/31/EC) and the general framework Reg. (EC) 1935/2004. (Category-wise limits; ISO 6486 test methods are widely used.) India’s BIS IS 2857 and IS 9806 mirror these requirements domestically. EUR-LexBSI KnowledgeLaw Resource+1
- For decorative, non-food terracotta, no heavy-metal migration tests are typically required, but safe coatings and labelling as “not for food use” are standard retailer due-diligence practices (EU general product safety rules apply).
Strengths & India-specific value
- Distinct local clays & firing: e.g., Gorakhpur artisans achieve the classic red/black finishes by controlling kiln venting during smoke release—part of the GI documentation of uniqueness. origin-gi.com
- Design language: Bankura’s stylised horse (now a national handicraft icon) is emblematic of Bengal folk aesthetics; buyers associate it with “authentic India.” Wikipedia
- Assured provenance via GI: Molela plaques (Rajasthan) and Bankura/Gorakhpur articles carry community-level IP, giving export buyers a clean story on origin and intangible heritage. Intellectual Property Indiahandicrafts.nic.in
Quick buyer checklist (terracotta)
- Declare HS (6913 vs 6912).
- If food-contact: test to ISO 6486 or BIS IS 9806; verify compliance against EU limits. BSI KnowledgeLaw Resource
Handicraft Bags (India)
What it is / where it’s specific to India
- Jute & cotton handbags (West Bengal & the East) — India is a jute powerhouse; policy support includes mandatory jute packaging norms for grains/sugar (strong supply ecosystem). Press Information Bureau
- Palm-leaf “Kottan” totes (Chettinad, Tamil Nadu) — GI-registered craft. Intellectual Property IndiaIP India
- Water-hyacinth (Panimeteka) bags (Assam) — GI-tagged “Assam Pani Meteka Craft” (2024); ASRLM has active production/marketing. slbcne.nic.inasrlms.assam.gov.in
- Santiniketan leather bags (West Bengal) — GI-registered “Santiniketan Leather Goods,” known for embossed/hand-painted finishes. Intellectual Property India
Customs classification (HS)
- HS 4202 – Handbags & travel goods with outer surface of leather or textile materials (includes jute & cotton handbags; Indian tariff lines include 4202.22.30 “Hand-bags and shopping bags, of jute”). dgciskol.gov.in
- HS 4602 – Bags made from plaiting materials (palm leaf, cane, water-hyacinth). Customs rulings consistently classify handbags of plaited vegetable materials under 4602, not 4202. CROSS+1CustomsMobile
India exports (latest available)
- HS 4202 (all travel goods & handbags): India exported about US$1.95 billion in 2023; key markets include the US, Germany, France. (Note: this is the total 4202 basket, not only “handicraft.”) The Observatory of Economic Complexity
- HS 4602 (basketwork/plaited articles, incl. palm-leaf & hyacinth bags): India ≈ US$166 million exports in 2023 (global product page). The Observatory of Economic Complexity
- Jute ecosystem (context): The National Jute Board publishes annual export dashboards for jute goods & diversified products (bags, fashion accessories). jute.com
Quality & compliance (what buyers look for)
- Textile/jute/cotton bags (HS 4202):
- Azo dyes: EU REACH Annex XVII — Entry 43 bans certain azo colourants that can release any of 22 aromatic amines > 30 mg/kg in textiles/leather with prolonged skin contact. European Chemicals AgencySGSCorp
- Metal trims (buckles, rivets): Nickel release ≤ 0.5 µg/cm²/week per EU nickel restriction/EN 1811. PCIAW®Intertek
- Azo dyes: EU REACH Annex XVII — Entry 43 bans certain azo colourants that can release any of 22 aromatic amines > 30 mg/kg in textiles/leather with prolonged skin contact. European Chemicals AgencySGSCorp
- Leather handbags (HS 4202.21):
- Plaited-material bags (HS 4602):
- Typically no leather/azo risks, but buyers still test for azo amines (if dyed linings), and verify natural-fiber strength & colourfastness to perspiration/rubbing per retailer protocols. (Classification guidance & rulings confirm 4602 scope.) CROSS+1
- Typically no leather/azo risks, but buyers still test for azo amines (if dyed linings), and verify natural-fiber strength & colourfastness to perspiration/rubbing per retailer protocols. (Classification guidance & rulings confirm 4602 scope.) CROSS+1
Strengths & India-specific value
- Sustainability story: Jute (biodegradable, low-input) + water-hyacinth upcycling (Assam)—compelling ESG narratives with GI- or government-backed provenance. Press Information Bureauslbcne.nic.in
- GI-anchored craft bags: Chettinad Kottan (palm-leaf) and Santiniketan (hand-painted leather) offer distinctive design/finish not easily replicated elsewhere. Intellectual Property India+1
- Scale & supply: India’s large 4202 base means dependable capacity for fashion/private-label buyers alongside artisan clusters. The Observatory of Economic Complexity
what to put in a buyer pack
- Terracotta: HS code, GI/provenance (Bankura/Gorakhpur/Molela), lead/cadmium migration test report (ISO 6486 / BIS), product care & “not for food use” if decorative only. EUR-LexBSI KnowledgeLaw Resource
- Handicraft bags: Correct HS (4202 vs 4602), material breakdown, test reports (azo amines, nickel release, Cr(VI) for leather), GI certificate references where applicable (Kottan, Pani Meteka, Santiniketan). CROSSSGSCorpPCIAW®EUR-LexIntellectual Property India+1slbcne.nic.in
