What’s exported & where it sits in India’s trade

• Wooden trays & platters are a core slice of India’s Woodwares handicrafts basket. In FY25 (Apr–Feb), Woodwares exports were ₹7,326 crore (US$ ~868m), reflecting the category’s continued strength. Key markets for Indian handicrafts include the USA, EU/UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, UAE, Netherlands, etc.
  
• Stone (marble) trays & inlay platters are counted under Marble & Products. India exported US$ 27.6m of Marble & Products in 2022–23; Apr–Oct 2023-24 was US$ 18.94m.
  
• Bamboo trays ride on India’s bamboo ecosystem—especially the North-East (Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, etc.)—strengthened by the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and NECBDC capacity building & processing units.
  

HS codes (use for classification & pricing talks)

Material	Typical HS Line (examples)	Notes
Wooden trays & platters	HS 4419 (Tableware/kitchenware of wood). Subheading includes “of bamboo” where appropriate.	Use 4419 for serving trays, cheese boards, platters, etc.
Bamboo trays	HS 4419.11 (“of bamboo”) when made from bamboo wood/laminates; HS 4602 for plaited/ wickerwork trays made directly to shape.	Choose 4419 vs. 4602 based on construction.
Marble inlay trays/platters	HS 6802 (worked monumental/building stone & articles thereof; incl. marble articles).	Covers worked marble articles (table-tops, trays, platters).

India/regional strengths that make these products distinctive

A) Wooden trays & platters

• Cluster depth – Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh): centuries-old woodcraft cluster (GI-tagged “Saharanpur Wood Craft”) with large artisan base and export orientation—excellent for carved servers, handles, and brass-inlay details.
  
• Species advantage & compliance: India widely uses mango wood (plantation hardwood, abundant and sustainable), avoiding CITES constraints tied to some rosewoods. If buyers select sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), note CITES Appendix II controls with a useful exemption for finished products up to 10 kg wood per shipment introduced in 2022.
  

B) Bamboo trays

• Raw material proximity: The North-East accounts for a major share of India’s bamboo stock; NBM prioritizes NE states and funds treatment/seasoning & processing units—reliable for woven/plaited trays, veneered bamboo boards, and laminated bamboo platters.
  
• Institutional support: NECBDC & state missions (e.g., Tripura Bamboo Mission) train artisans and establish value-addition units, supporting consistent export supply.
  

C) Marble inlay trays (Agra)

• Place-based craft: Agra’s stone inlay (Parchin Kari/Pachchikari)—the Mughal pietra-dura lineage—now has GI registration (“Agra Stone Inlay Craft/Work”); buyers can leverage the GI for provenance & storytelling. Neighboring Makrana Marble (Rajasthan) is GI-tagged and is a renowned base stone historically used in premium works.

Quality & compliance checklist (by material)

Wooden (applies to bamboo wood as well)

• Moisture content (MC) & seasoning: For dimensional stability and finish adhesion, specify seasoned wood to BIS targets. IS 1141 (seasoning code) + IS 287 (permissible MC by climatic zone) are the Indian references; well-seasoned indoor articles typically ~10–12% MC (verify per use zone).
  
• Food-contact coatings: For trays/platters intended for direct food contact, require coatings compliant with EU Reg. 1935/2004 + GMP Reg. 2023/2006 and, for US shipments, FDA 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous & polymeric coatings).
  
• US food-service nuance (wood): Under the FDA Food Code (2022), wood as a food-contact surface is restricted in retail/food-service except certain cases (e.g., hard maple cutting boards). For restaurant customers, align tray usage (dry foods/bread service or sealed finishes) accordingly.
  
• CITES screening (if sheesham/other Dalbergia): Ensure shipments conform to the ≤10 kg finished-product exemption per current CITES treatment; if beyond, secure permits.
  

Bamboo

• Classification & construction:
  
  • Plaited/wicker trays → HS 4602;
    
  • Laminated/board or machined trays → HS 4419.11 (“of bamboo”).
    
• Food-contact caution (EU): Avoid bamboo-powder-mixed plastics (bamboo/melamine)—these “eco-composites” are not authorised as FCM plastics in the EU and have led to enforcement. Stick to pure bamboo + compliant coatings
  
• NBM/NECBDC support: Buyers wanting long programs and custom weaves should leverage NE suppliers backed by NBM/NECBDC processing & training.
  

Marble inlay

• Stone & sealing: Use GI-linked Agra inlay workshops; specify food-safe sealers (EU 1935/2004 / US 21 CFR 175.300-compliant) and low-acid food use guidance (marble can etch with acids—hence sealers and care instructions matter).
  
• Origin credentials: For storytelling and traceability, reference GI: Agra Stone Inlay (Uttar Pradesh) and, where relevant, GI: Makrana Marble (Rajasthan).
  
• Tariff fit: Classify as HS 6802 (worked marble articles).
  

Product/QA specs you can lift straight into POs

Wooden trays/platters

• Seasoned mango/acacia (or other non-CITES species) to BIS IS 1141; MC verified per IS 11215 test; target ~10–12% MC for indoor use. Finish: food-contact coating compliant with EU 1935/2004 / 2023/2006 and US 21 CFR 175.300.

Bamboo trays

• Construction declared (plaited 4602 vs laminated 4419.11). No bamboo-powder/ melamine plastics for EU. If board-made, specify treatment/seasoning, and the same food-contact coating regime as above.
  

Marble inlay platters

• Source from GI-registered Agra inlay units; stone spec (Makrana or equivalent). Require food-safe, solvent-free sealer compliant with EU 1935/2004 / GMP 2023/2006 or US 21 CFR 175.300; classify under HS 6802.
  

India vendor/discovery cues

• Saharanpur (UP): large export-ready woodcraft hub for trays/platters (carved, inlay, metal-fitted), GI-tagged; part of ODOP–UP.
  
• Agra (UP): GI-registered stone inlay craft for premium marble platters & trays.
  
• North-East (Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, etc.): bamboo weaving & laminates with NBM/NECBDC support; ideal for low-MOQs and seasonal collections.
  

Quick reference

• HS codes: 4419 (wood/mango), 4419.11 (bamboo tableware), 4602 (plaited bamboo), 6802 (marble articles).
  
• Compliance anchor texts: EU 1935/2004 + 2023/2006; US 21 CFR 175.300; US Food Code 2022 for food-service wood.
  
• BIS seasoning/M.C.: IS 1141 + IS 287; testing per IS 11215.
  
• GI tags: Saharanpur Wood Craft, Agra Stone Inlay, Makrana Marble for provenance.
  
• Macro export context: Woodwares ₹7,326 cr (Apr–Feb FY25).