Export of Brass Handicraft from India.

Export of Brass Handicraft from India.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the export of brass handicraft from India, covering introduction, types & categories, HSN code, export destinations & performance, export promotion councils, export restrictions & bottlenecks, challenges, government initiatives, way-forward and conclusion.

1. Introduction

The export of brass handicraft from India is an important sub-segment of the Indian handicrafts industry. India has long-standing artisan clusters working in metals (brass, copper, bronze) producing decorative art-wares, utilitarian household items, religious artefacts, etc. According to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), exports of handicrafts (other than hand-knotted carpets) increased from Rs 386.57 crore in 1986-87 to Rs 32,758.80 crore in 2023-24. (EPCH) Among handicrafts, metalware (including brass) and art-metal wares are highlighted for India’s strength. (EPCH)
Brass handicraft integrates traditional craftsmanship with decorative and utilitarian value, and serves both domestic and export markets. Given its labour-intensive nature, it contributes to employment (often in small-scale/cluster units) and rural/artisan livelihoods.

2. Types and Categories

Brass handicraft encompasses a variety of items. Some of the major categories include:

• Decorative art-wares: statues, figurines, vases, bowls, candle-holders, wall hangings, bell-stands, etc. (eximpedia)
• Utilitarian household items: kitchenware, lanterns, lamps, trays, bowls, cutlery or serving items made of brass. (eximpedia)
• Religious/ritual items: brass idols, diyas (oil-lamps), puja ware, bells, incense stands. (Volza)
• Mixed material pieces or fused items: brass combined with mango wood, glass, lacquer, other metals. For example, export data shows combinations like brass & mango wood artware. (Exim Trade Data)
• Other metal-craft items: although strictly “brass” is the focus here, many artisans work in a broader set of metal crafts (copper, bronze, brass mixed) and hence many products overlap.

Geographically, major clusters for brass metalware are noted as: Moradabad, Murshidabad, Madurai, Salem, Cuttack and parts of Haryana. (EPCH)

3. HSN / HS Codes

For export/import classification the relevant codes include:

• The primary HSN code widely used for brass handicraft exports is 74198030 (Other articles of copper, brass handicrafts of brass art-wares) as per shipment data. (Volza)
• Other related HSN codes include 74198040, 74198090, and earlier broader headings like 7419 (Other articles of copper). (Volza)
  Thus exporters of brass handicraft need to correctly classify products under these HSN codes for customs, export documentation, and statistical tracking.

4. Export Destination Countries & Export Performance

Export Destinations

• According to Volza data: for HSN code 74198030 (brass handicrafts) exports from India go to the USA, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United Kingdom (UK) as top destinations. (Volza)
• In the metalcraft/handicraft segment, it is noted that UAE had the highest import share followed by USA (30.91%) and (20.71 %) respectively in one analysis. (EPCH)
  Thus key export markets include North America (USA), Middle East (UAE), Europe (UK, others).

Export Performance

• Volume: For example, for brass handicraft from India: 1,922 Indian exporters made 32,633 shipments (Nov 2023–Oct 2024) to 2,172 buyers, according to Volza data. (Volza)
• Shipments: India accounted for 119,847 shipments of hand-craft brass exports (till Aug 15, 2025) across 1,976 exporters to 5,621 buyers. (Volza)
• Growth: The broader handicraft export sector rose from Rs 30,019.24 crore (US$ 3,728.47 million) in 2022-23 to Rs 32,758.80 crore (US$ 3,956.46 million) in 2023-24. Growth ~9.13% in rupee terms, ~6.11% in dollar terms.
  These data indicate that the brass handicraft segment is sizable and part of India’s global handicraft export footprint, though precise value for “brass handicraft alone” in rupee/dollar likely not always disaggregated in public domain.

5. Export Promotion Councils

• The primary council is the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). It was established in 1986-87 under the Companies Act, as a not-for-profit body to promote Indian handicraft exports. (Handicrafts)
• EPCH acts as the nodal body for export of handicraft items, including art-metal wares and brass handicrafts: organising trade fairs (e.g., the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair – IHGF), overseas buyer-seller meets, training, clusters support. (EPCH)
• Other supporting bodies: The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India oversees handicraft development. Clusters involvement, skill development programmes etc.

Thus, brass handicraft exporters engage with EPCH for export facilitation, trade intelligence, marketing support.

6. Export Restrictions, Bottlenecks & Challenges

Export Restrictions / Regulatory Bottlenecks

• In general, handicraft exports are liberalised; there are fewer outright restrictions compared to heavy industry. However, challenges exist such as: compliance with importing country standards (e.g., material-safety, finish quality, chemical residues, packaging norms).
• Documentation & customs procedures: Accurate classification (HSN codes), export clearance, packaging for fragile artisan items, freight/logistics, insurance.
• Some export clusters reliant on older artisan methods may face environmental or labour regulation issues (e.g., emissions from metal-craft finishing, worker safety).

Key Challenges

• Design & innovation deficiency: Many brass handicraft units still produce classical/traditional designs; global market increasingly demands contemporary, lifestyle-oriented, design-sensitive items.
• Quality & finishing: International buyers expect consistent quality, finishing, plating, corrosion resistance, packaging suitable for retail shelves. Variability can erode competitiveness.
• Raw material cost & supply: Brass alloy raw materials, energy, finishing chemicals cost can fluctuate and impact margins.
• Logistics & packaging: Exporting decorative/fragile items calls for secure packaging, safe transport, warehousing – small units may not have scale/infrastructure.
• Trade barriers & competition: Competing countries (e.g., China, Bangladesh) may offer lower cost items; importers may impose high freight/insurance/returns risk on artisan items.
• Cluster-specific issues: For example, some brass clusters may not have adequate common infrastructure (effluent treatment, finishing workshops, design studios). Also artisan workforce ageing or migrating to other sectors.
• Market concentration: Over-dependence on a few destination markets (USA/Europe) increases vulnerability to demand swings, currency fluctuations.
• Data & value capture gap: While shipment counts are high, disaggregated value (rupee/dollar) for brass handicrafts isnt always transparent – the sector may capture low margins after buyer-branding/retail mark-up.

7. Government Initiatives

• Support via EPCH and Ministry of Textiles: Trade fairs (e.g., IHGF), buyer-seller meets, overseas exhibitions organised. (EPCH)
• Skill development & cluster development programmes: Upgradation of artisan skills, design support, packaging, finishing, digital marketing for handicrafts clusters (including brass clusters).
• Policy emphasis: The handicrafts sector is highlighted as labour-intensive, high value-addition with rural/SME base and thus a focus area for export promotion. (India Brand Equity Foundation)
• Ease of doing business improvements: Simplifying export procedures, encouraging exporters to use duty-free inputs for manufacture of export goods, supporting participation in trade shows.
• Focus on “Brand India” for handicrafts, emphasising the cultural/artisan heritage and uniqueness of Indian metal-craft.
  While specific schemes strictly targeted only at brass handicraft may not always be publicly flagged, the general handicraft export infrastructure applies.

8. Way Forward

To enhance and capture greater export potential of Indian brass handicraft, the following strategic approaches are recommended:

1. Value addition & design innovation: Move beyond traditional motifs to global lifestyle/decor trends—e.g., minimalist brass home décor, premium gift items, custom retail packaging.
2. Quality systems & certification: Adopt international standards (ISO, ASTM, RoHS, quality finishing/anti-tarnish treatments) to meet buyer expectations.
3. Cluster infrastructure up-gradation: Strengthen articulation of brass handicraft clusters (Moradabad, Murshidabad etc) with common finishing units, design studios, testing/packaging facilities, digital commerce readiness.
4. Raw-material backward linkage: Secure supply of brass alloy, recycled metal, ensure stable input cost; possibly foster eco-friendly finishing practices (less toxic plating, sustainable metal sourcing).
5. Market diversification: While USA/EU remain major, explore emerging markets in Middle East, Africa, Latin America and tap online direct-to-consumer exports via e-commerce platforms.
6. Branding and packaging upgrade: Create “India-made artisan brass handicraft” as a premium brand; invest in designer collaborations, product storytelling, heritage appeal.
7. Digital marketing & e-commerce: Enable micro-exporters/artisans to engage globally via online platforms, virtual trade shows, digital B2B marketplaces, and data-driven buyer leads.
8. Sustainability & artisan welfare: Emphasise sustainable materials/finishing, ethical labour practices (which many global buyers increasingly demand), thereby adding value and market differentiation.
9. Export data transparency & value-capture: Improve tracking of value (not just shipments) for brass handicraft to identify high margin product segments and guide strategy.
10. Support for MSME exporters: Government/EPCs should offer targeted assistance (finance/credit, export-insurance, design-patenting, international buyer linkages) especially for smaller brass handicraft units.

9. Conclusion

The export of brass handicraft from India offers a compelling opportunity: it combines the country’s rich artisan heritage, labour-intensive value-addition, and growing global demand for premium decorative and utilitarian metal-ware. India’s strengths in brass artisan clusters, existing export infrastructure via EPCH, and global demand provide a solid foundation.

However to translate this into significantly higher export value and sustainable growth, focus must shift to innovation, design, quality, packaging, branding, new markets and upgrading artisan/cluster capabilities. With strategic intent and support, India can further strengthen its position as a leading exporter of brass handicraft and capture higher value segments in the global home-decor & gift markets.

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