HS Codes for Indian Handicrafts: The Complete Reference Guide for Exporters

What Are HS Codes?

The Harmonised System (HS) is an internationally standardised system of names and numbers for classifying traded products. Developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), it is used by more than 200 countries as the basis for customs tariffs and trade statistics. The HS code (also called Tariff Code, HTS code, or CN code in different countries) determines the import duty rate applicable to your product in any destination country.

For Indian exports, the relevant code is the ITC-HS (Indian Trade Classification Harmonised System) code — an 8-digit code where the first 6 digits are internationally harmonised and the last 2 digits are India-specific.

Why Getting the HS Code Right Matters

• The wrong HS code can result in the buyer paying higher import duty than necessary
• Incorrect classification can trigger customs examination and physical inspection of goods
• The HS code determines whether the product qualifies for FTA preferential rates under Certificate of Origin
• GST and duty drawback claims in India are linked to HS codes — wrong code means wrong refund amount
• Some HS codes attract export restrictions or licence requirements — misclassification creates legal risk

HS Codes for Major Indian Handicraft Categories

Metal Handicrafts (Brass, Copper, Bidriware, Dhokra)

• 7419.99: Other articles of copper — covers most Dhokra figurines, brass decorative items, copper water bottles, Panchaloha idols
• 8306.29: Statuettes and ornaments of base metal (non-precious) — covers brass idols for religious or decorative use
• 7114.19: Articles of other precious metal — for silver-plated or gold-plated handicraft items
• 8306.10: Bells, gongs, and the like of base metal — temple bells, cowbells, decorative bells
• 8306.30: Photograph, picture or similar frames; mirrors — decorative brass-framed mirrors

Wooden Handicrafts (Sandalwood, Rosewood, Teak, Lacquerware)

• 4420.90: Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; caskets and cases — inlaid wooden boxes, jewellery boxes, decorative cases
• 4421.99: Other articles of wood — wooden figurines, decorative panels, wooden toys (Channapatna, Kondapalli)
• 9703.00: Original sculptures and statuary in any material — for wood carvings classified as "original art"
• 4416.00: Casks, barrels, vats, tubs — only if the wooden item is of this nature

Textile Handicrafts (Handloom, Embroidery, Ikat, Kalamkari)

• 5805.00: Hand-woven tapestries — Madhubani fabric wall art, hand-woven decorative panels
• 6301–6302: Blankets, bed linen — handloom bedspreads, kantha quilts
• 6304.99: Other furnishing articles — embroidered cushion covers, wall hangings, table runners
• 6217.90: Made-up clothing accessories — embroidered scarves, stoles, dupattas
• 5407/5408: Woven fabric of synthetic/artificial filaments — Banarasi, Kancheepuram, Paithani sarees (the fabric itself)
• 6211/6212: Garments — when selling a complete garment (salwar suit, kurta)

Jewellery

• 7113.19: Articles of jewellery of precious metal other than silver — gold jewellery
• 7113.11: Articles of jewellery of silver — silver jewellery, tribal silver ornaments
• 7117.19: Other imitation jewellery of base metal — fashion jewellery, Dhokra jewellery, lac jewellery
• 7117.90: Other imitation jewellery — fabric jewellery, thread jewellery, beaded jewellery

Ceramic and Pottery (Terracotta, Blue Pottery, Khurja)

• 6913.10: Statuettes and ornamental articles of porcelain or china — fine porcelain decorative items
• 6913.90: Other statuettes and ornamental articles of ceramic — terracotta figurines, clay toys, decorative pots
• 6912.00: Ceramic tableware, kitchenware — functional ceramic items (mugs, plates, bowls)
• 6914.90: Other ceramic articles — Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Khurja pottery decoratives

Natural Fibre Handicrafts (Jute, Coir, Bamboo, Rattan)

• 4602.19: Basketwork, wickerwork of vegetable materials — bamboo baskets, rattan furniture components
• 5305.00: Coconut, abaca, ramie, and other vegetable fibres — raw coir fibre
• 5609.00: Articles of yarn, strip, twine, cordage, rope or cables — coir doormats, jute rope products
• 6305.10: Sacks and bags of jute — jute shopping bags, eco bags
• 4601.99: Other plaiting materials — bamboo mats, palm leaf products

Paper and Leather

• 4823.90: Other paper and paperboard articles — papier-mâché items from Kashmir
• 4205.00: Other articles of leather — leather-covered decoratives, leather boxes
• 4202.22: Handbags with outer surface of leather — leather handbags and purses

Original Art and Paintings

• 9701.10: Paintings, drawings and pastels — original Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra, Pichwai paintings
• 9702.00: Original engravings, prints and lithographs — block print artworks
• 9703.00: Original sculptures and statuary — original one-of-a-kind sculptures

Note: Chapter 97 goods (artworks) typically have lower import duty in most countries and may be exempt from GST in India — but they must genuinely be "original" (one-of-a-kind), not mass-produced.

How to Confirm the Right HS Code

1. Search the Indian Trade Classification on the DGFT website or icegate.gov.in tariff finder
2. Consult your Customs House Agent (CHA) — they have daily experience with classification
3. Ask the buyer's customs broker what code they expect — alignment avoids disputes
4. For ambiguous cases, apply to Customs for an Advance Ruling on classification — it provides legal certainty

Conclusion

The HS code is the DNA of your export transaction. Get it right from the first shipment and it simplifies everything that follows — duty calculations, COO applications, GST refunds, and compliance. All products listed on Tannarix include verified HS codes, and our trade team double-checks classification before every shipment.