What is made in Saharanpur
Saharanpur's wood craft is known for deep hand carving, perforated jaali work and vine motifs, sometimes with brass inlay. Sheesham is the main raw material. Most carving is done in small workshops, and exporters assemble, finish and pack in their own units.
| Product | Typical materials | Key inspection points |
|---|---|---|
| Carved furniture | Sheesham, teak, mango; lacquer or wax finish | Moisture content, joinery, cracks in carved sections, finish, stability |
| Jaali screens and panels | Sheesham and other hardwoods | Broken frets, symmetry, warping, finish inside cut-outs |
| Boxes, trays and small décor | Sheesham, mango, brass inlay | Lid fit, hinges, inlay gaps, sharp edges, finish |
| Wall art and mirror frames | Carved wood, glass | Glass edges and fixing, hangers, carving damage |
What we check for carved wood
- Moisture content: measured with a meter on every sampled style, against the target in your purchase order.
- Carving quality: broken or chipped details, uneven depth, symmetry between pairs, and carving that matches the approved sample.
- Cracks and filler: splits in carved sections and end grain, and filler or putty that shows through the finish.
- Insect damage: borer holes and fresh dust, and proof of treatment where the buyer requires it.
- Construction: joinery, glue lines, drawer and door fit, hinges and hardware, and stability on a flat surface.
- Materials: for pieces sold as solid wood, we check that hidden parts such as backs, drawer bottoms and inner frames match the specification, since cheaper boards or a different species are sometimes substituted there.
- Finish: colour against the sample, polish build-up in recesses, runs, dull patches and inlay that has lifted.
- Packing: protection for raised carving, corner guards, carton strength, ISPM-15 marks on wooden pallets or crates, and a drop test.
For the US and the EU, ask the exporter early for the species name and timber purchase records. They are needed for the Lacey Act declaration and for EUDR due diligence.
Common defects in carved wood furniture
- Cracks in carved panels and legs, often opening after the goods move from a humid workshop to a dry or heated home.
- Broken fretwork and chipped carving from handling or loose packing.
- Visible filler where knots or splits were patched before polishing.
- Warped panels and doors that no longer close evenly.
- Uneven polish, with build-up or bare wood inside deep carving.
- Mould and white bloom on finishes after storage in the monsoon.
- Borer holes in timber that was not treated or seasoned well.
Timing and logistics
Saharanpur is in western Uttar Pradesh, close to the Haryana and Uttarakhand borders, and is reached by road or rail from Delhi. Exporters usually stuff containers at the factory, and most containers from north India travel by rail to west-coast ports such as Mundra and Nhava Sheva. Where goods come from several workshops, container loading supervision checks what is loaded.
- Seasoning: the district has a common facility centre for wood seasoning and chemical treatment near the UPSIDC industrial area at Pilkhani. Ask your supplier whether timber was seasoned there or elsewhere.
- Monsoon: from about July to September, humidity raises moisture content and slows finishing. Plan ready dates with drying time, and we check moisture on the day.
- Festivals: many workshops close for Eid and around Diwali, and carvers may be away for several days.
How to book an inspection in Saharanpur
Send the product, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Saharanpur. Photos of the approved sample, close-ups of the carving, and your moisture-content target help us build the checklist.
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.