Export clusters and what they make
Karnataka combines old craft clusters around Bengaluru and Mysuru with garment factories in the capital and engineering units in the north-west. These are the clusters we can confirm from official or named sources.
| Cluster | Main products | Verified fact |
|---|---|---|
| Channapatna | Lacquered wooden toys and dolls | GI "Channapatna Toys & Dolls", application 23 (certificate 30 Jan 2006) |
| Mysuru | Silk sarees and fabrics; incense sticks | GI "Mysore Silk", application 11 (certificate 28 Nov 2005); GI "Mysore Agarbathi", application 13: registration valid to 10 Aug 2024; no renewal recorded (Oct 2026) |
| Bengaluru | Garments | One of five prominent garment clusters where the Apparel Export Promotion Council held road shows (Outlook Business, May 2023) |
| Belagavi (Chikkodi) | Auto and general engineering parts; powerloom fabric | Auto and general engineering cluster and powerloom cluster at Chikkodi, Belgaum district, each with an ongoing common facility centre (DC-MSME, 20 Mar 2024) |
| Kolhapuri chappal area | Hand-made leather chappals | GI "Kolhapuri Chappal", application 169, registered for Karnataka and Maharashtra |
A GI protects the product's name, not its quality. Toys sold as Channapatna or silk sold as Mysore Silk should come from the registered producers and area, so ask the supplier and we can record the making location in the report.
Products we inspect in Karnataka
- Wooden toys from Channapatna: wooden toy inspection covers splinters, sharp edges and points, small parts, loose pieces, cord lengths, lacquer finish and age labelling. Lead and other heavy metals in lacquer and paint are lab tests under EN 71 and ASTM F963. More on the toys hub.
- Silk from Mysuru: silk sarees and silk fabrics: length, width, zari and border joins, weaving faults, shade and packing. Silk content needs a lab.
- Incense: incense sticks: stick length and straightness, coating, breakage, fragrance oil staining, pack count and labels.
- Garments from Bengaluru: apparel inspection: measurements against the size chart, seams, trims, print, labels and packing.
- Engineering parts from Belagavi: engine and transmission components, measured against the drawing, with material certificates checked.
- Chappals: Kolhapuri chappals: stitching, braiding, strap strength, sole bonding and pair matching.
Rules to plan for with Karnataka goods
- Toys: the EU and UK expect EN 71 test reports and the US expects ASTM F963 testing and a Children's Product Certificate under CPSIA. Book the lab work before the final inspection so the report covers the same production lot.
- Leather chappals: in the EU, leather that touches the skin must not contain chromium VI at 3 mg/kg or more (REACH Annex XVII, entry 47). This is a lab test; see chromium VI in leather.
- Silk and textiles: fibre content labels must match the goods; see EU textile labelling.
How coverage and travel work in Karnataka
None of our six inspector bases is in Karnataka, so every town in the state is Band C. An inspector travels from one of our bases, or a vetted freelance inspector covers the visit, working to the Clear To Load checklist and verdict. A supervisor reviews every report before release.
- Price: US$249 per man-day, plus actual travel cost, quoted before you book (pricing).
- Notice: up to 5 working days, depending on distance.
- Several suppliers: Channapatna lies between Bengaluru and Mysuru, so visits in the three towns can often share one trip.
- Report: within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.
How to book an inspection in Karnataka
Use the booking form with the product, the factory's town and address, and the ready date. For toys, tell us the target market and age grade so we apply the right checks. We confirm the inspector, notice, man-days and travel cost within 24 hours.
Sources
- IP India GI Registry: Channapatna Toys & Dolls, application 23
- IP India GI Registry: Mysore Silk, application 11
- IP India GI Registry: Mysore Agarbathi, application 13
- IP India GI Registry: Kolhapuri Chappal, application 169
- Outlook Business: AEPC road shows in five garment clusters (15 May 2023)
- DC-MSME: ongoing common facility centres under MSE-CDP (20 Mar 2024)
Are you a quality inspector in Karnataka?
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.