What is made in and around Kolkata
Kolkata's export suppliers fall into two main groups. Jute goods start in composite mills that card, spin, weave and finish the fibre, mostly in West Bengal, and the cloth is then sewn into bags or made into rugs and other products. Leather goods are cut, stitched and finished in factories and smaller workshops in and around the city.
| Product group | Official source | Key inspection points |
|---|---|---|
| Jute hessian, sacking and bags | IBEF: 89 of India's 120 composite jute mills in West Bengal (Dec 2025) | GSM and weave count, seams and handles, print, odour, moisture |
| Leather bags, wallets, belts and gloves | Council for Leather Exports (2026); ODOP Kolkata "Leather goods" | Panel and shade match, stitching, edge paint, hardware, odour |
| Children's clothing | ODOP Kolkata "Kids wear / Readymade Garments" | Measurements, trims and small parts, cords, labels |
| Engineering goods | ODOP Howrah "Engineering Goods" | Dimensions, material certificates, finish, packing |
IBEF reports India's jute hessian exports at US$112.46 million for April 2025 to March 2026 (IBEF jute page, updated October 2026).
What we check for Kolkata products
| Product | Key checks |
|---|---|
| Jute bags | Handle attachment and load test, lamination and inner seams, print adhesion, size, batching-oil odour |
| Jute hessian and sacking | Weight per square metre, ends and picks per inch, width, bale weight, oil content claim, seam strength |
| Jute rugs | Size and squareness, shedding, braid and stitch security, colour between lots, mould |
| Leather handbags | Handle and strap pull, panel shade and grain match, zips and hardware, glue marks, lining |
| Wallets and small leather goods | Card-slot fit, edge paint, stitches per inch, snaps, any RFID claim |
| Leather belts | Length and hole spacing, buckle fixing, edge finish, layer separation |
| Leather work gloves | Sizing and pairing, seams at the thumb, marking against the EN claims |
| Children's clothing | Measurements, snaps and buttons pull test, drawstrings, labels |
See also jute and coir inspection and leather goods inspection. Chromium VI in leather and mineral-oil residues in food-grade jute are lab tests; see chromium VI in leather and lab testing coordination.
Common defects in Kolkata production
| Defect | Typical class | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable small parts or long cords on children's clothing | Critical | Choking and strangulation risk |
| Mould on leather or jute, or a strong musty smell in cartons | Major | Spreads in the container; goods are unsellable |
| Bag handle pulling out under the rated load | Major | Fails in use; a safety issue on heavy shopping bags |
| Jute cloth below the ordered weight or width | Major | A common way to cut cost; affects strength |
| Shade or grain mismatch between panels of one leather bag | Major | Visible at retail |
| Cracked or uneven edge paint, glue marks on leather | Minor | Appearance |
| Loose fibres and shedding on jute rugs and bags | Minor | Customer complaints; can be reduced in finishing |
Timing and logistics
Kolkata is one of our inspector bases, so inspections there carry a fixed travel fee of US$99 per man-day and usually need from the same day to 3 working days' notice. Mills and factories outside the city in West Bengal are quoted on the same basis or at actual travel cost if they are far out; we confirm this when you book.
- Monsoon: from about June to September, humidity is the main risk for both jute and leather. Mould grows on goods packed damp. We check moisture where agreed, storage, silica gel and carton dryness.
- Festivals: many units slow down or close around Durga Puja, usually in September or October. Plan ready dates and inspections around it.
- Several units: jute bags may be sewn at a different unit from the mill that wove the cloth. A during-production inspection checks the cloth before cutting. Container loading supervision checks what goes into the box.
How to book an inspection in Kolkata
Send the product, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Kolkata. Include the specification with weights, sizes and tolerances, photos of the approved sample, label artwork and the destination market.
An inspection costs US$249 per man-day plus US$99 per man-day travel (Band B); see pricing. Within 24 hours we confirm the inspector, the notice and the price. The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.