What is made in Moradabad
Moradabad has worked brass for generations, and today its export units also make aluminium, iron, steel and glass-and-metal products. Much of the casting, polishing and engraving is done by artisans in small workshops; the exporter's factory then finishes, assembles, labels and packs.
| Product | Typical materials and finishes | Key inspection points |
|---|---|---|
| Décor and giftware | Brass, aluminium, iron; lacquered, antique, powder-coated or plated | Finish against the approved sample, plating and lacquer cover, sharp edges |
| Lighting | Brass, iron, aluminium, glass shades | Electrical markings, wiring, function test, shade fit, stability |
| Tableware and barware | Brass, copper, stainless steel, aluminium | Food-contact surfaces, coating, weight and gauge, dents |
| Planters and garden décor | Iron, galvanised steel, aluminium | Rust protection, welds, drainage holes, stability |
2025 US tariffs. On 27 August 2025 the US raised tariffs on most Indian goods. At the time, PTI reported that Moradabad exports handicrafts worth ₹8,500–9,000 crore a year, with nearly 75% going to the US, and exporters said orders worth hundreds of crores of rupees had stalled (31 Aug–1 Sep 2025). US rates have changed since, so check the current duty for your product with your customs broker before you order.
What we check for metalware
- Finish and colour: compared side by side with the approved sample under good light. Antique and hand-applied finishes get a written tolerance agreed before the visit.
- Plating and lacquer: even cover, no peeling, bubbles or bare spots, and a tape test on the coating where the buyer asks for it.
- Workmanship: welds and solder joints, burrs and sharp edges, dents, scratches, casting pits and engraving quality.
- Dimensions and weight: size, metal gauge and product weight against the specification, since lighter metal is a common way to cut cost.
- Function: lids, hinges and handles; for lamps, switch, cord, plug type for the destination market and a lighting test.
- Packing: anti-tarnish wrap or bags, silica gel, inner boxes and a carton drop test.
Electrical safety certification for lamps and lead or metal-migration tests for items that touch food are laboratory work. We can pull samples at the inspection and send them through lab testing coordination.
Common defects in brass and metal products
- Tarnish under the lacquer or spotting that appears weeks after packing, often from humid storage or handling with bare hands before coating.
- Peeling or thin plating on edges and recesses, and uneven antique finishes between pieces in the same style.
- Rust on iron and steel parts where powder coating or galvanising is thin or damaged.
- Sharp edges and burrs left after cutting or casting, which are a safety defect on tableware and décor.
- Dents and scratches from loose packing or stacking without separators.
- Wobble and loose parts on lamps, candle holders and planters.
- Wrong or missing markings on lamps, such as the wrong plug for the destination market.
Timing and logistics
Moradabad is about 170 km east of Delhi by road and rail. CONCOR runs a container terminal in the city, and many exporters stuff containers at the factory. Most containers from the region travel by rail to west-coast ports such as Mundra and Nhava Sheva. If goods are consolidated from several workshops, container loading supervision confirms what goes into the box.
- Festivals: many workshops close for Eid and around Diwali. Artisans may be away for several days, which delays polishing and finishing.
- Monsoon: from about July to September, humidity speeds up tarnish and rust. Ask for goods to be lacquered and packed promptly, and we check storage conditions on the day.
- Subcontracted work: because casting and polishing are often done outside the main factory, a during-production inspection catches finish problems before the whole lot is made.
How to book an inspection in Moradabad
Send the product, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Moradabad. Include photos of the approved sample, especially for finishes, and tell us the destination market so we can check plugs and markings.
Within 24 hours we confirm the inspector, the notice we need, the number of man-days and the price; see pricing. The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.