What is made in Chennai
Chennai is a port city with two export trades that matter for importers. The first is vehicle parts. Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state's investment promotion agency, says the state has more than 1,500 auto component factories and accounts for 35% of India's auto component production, and lists a Chennai cluster among its automobile clusters. The page gives no year for the figure.
The second is leather. The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) overview published in 2026 places the major production centres for footwear, leather and leather products in Tamil Nadu at Chennai, Ambur, Ranipet, Vaniyambadi, Vellore, Pernambut, Trichy, Dindigul and Erode.
| Product | Typical build | Key inspection points |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and transmission parts | Machined castings and forgings, gears, shafts, heat-treated | Critical dimensions, hardness and case depth records, cleanliness |
| Brake parts | Pads, shoes, discs and drums | Profile, shear test, disc runout, approval markings |
| Leather shoes and boots | Cemented or stitched soles on cow, buffalo or goat leather | Pairing, lasting, sole bond, size marking |
| Leather goods and garments | Bags, wallets, belts, jackets | Panel shade, stitching, edge finish, hardware, lining |
What we check for Chennai products
| Product | Checks on the day |
|---|---|
| Engine and transmission components | Part number and drawing revision; critical dimensions with calibrated gauges; heat-treatment and material records traced to the batch; rust protection |
| Brake parts | Profile against a template; witnessed shear test; disc thickness and runout; approval and copper-content markings |
| Two-wheeler parts | Application and assortment, approval marks on lamps and mirrors, cable and lever function |
| Leather shoes and safety footwear | Pair matching, size run, sole bond pulled by hand, toe-cap and sole marking, nails or tacks inside |
| Handbags and leather garments | Shade across panels, stitch density, edge paint, zip and hardware function, smell and mould |
We inspect auto parts against your drawing, PPAP pack or approved sample; we do not approve PPAPs or certify plants to IATF 16949. Chromium VI and azo dyes in leather are lab tests (see chromium VI in leather), arranged through lab testing coordination. The auto components, footwear and leather goods pages set out the full approach.
Common defects in Chennai production
| Defect | Where it shows up | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Crack or porosity in a safety-related casting | Brake drums, discs, steering and suspension parts | Critical |
| Nail or tack point inside a shoe | Leather and safety footwear | Critical |
| Wrong part number or drawing revision in the carton | Mixed aftermarket shipments | Major |
| Critical dimension out of tolerance or no heat-treatment record for the batch | Machined engine and transmission parts | Major |
| Sole separating at the toe or heel | Cemented footwear | Major |
| Mould on leather or in cartons | Goods packed damp in humid weather | Major |
| Shade difference between the two shoes of a pair or bag panels | Leather footwear and goods | Major |
| Rust spots on machined faces, scuffs, glue marks | Auto parts and footwear | Minor |
Timing and logistics
We have no inspector based in Tamil Nadu, so an inspector travels in and the travel cost is quoted before you book. Chennai has its own seaport, run by the Chennai Port Authority. Where containers are stuffed at the factory, container loading supervision records the count, packing condition and seal number.
- Combine with Ambur: Ambur, a Town of Export Excellence for leather products, lies inland on the Chennai–Bengaluru route. Footwear orders in Chennai and Ambur can be booked on consecutive days to share travel.
- Rain and humidity: Chennai gets most of its rain from the north-east monsoon, roughly October to December. Leather and machined steel need dry storage and anti-mould or rust protection in this season, and we check both on the day.
- Festivals: many units close for Pongal in mid-January and for Ayudha Puja around Dussehra.
How to book an inspection in Chennai
Send the part numbers or styles, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Chennai. For auto parts, attach the drawings with critical dimensions marked; for footwear and leather goods, the size run, approved sample photos and label artwork.
An inspection costs US$249 per man-day plus actual travel cost (Band C); see pricing. Within 24 hours we confirm the inspector, the notice we need, the number of man-days and the price. The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.
Sources
Are you a quality inspector in Chennai?
We work with vetted freelance inspectors near the factories we check. You take assignments in your own area, inspect to our checklist, and Clear To Load pays you, never the factory. Apply to inspect with us.