Export clusters in Uttar Pradesh and what they make
Eight Uttar Pradesh towns are on the DGFT list of Towns of Export Excellence: Kanpur and Agra (leather products), Firozabad (glass artwares), Saharanpur (handicrafts), Bhadohi (carpets), Noida (apparel products), Kekhra (handlooms) and Malihabad (horticulture products). The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 added Moradabad (handicrafts), Varanasi (handlooms and handicrafts) and Mirzapur (handmade carpets and dari). The state's One District One Product (ODOP) scheme names a product for each district.
| Cluster | Main export products | Verified fact (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Moradabad | Brass, aluminium and iron décor, lighting, tableware | TEE for handicrafts (EPCH, 31 Mar 2023); Moradabad Metal Craft GI (2014) |
| Saharanpur | Carved sheesham furniture, jaali screens, boxes, décor | TEE for handicrafts (DGFT); ODOP wood craft; Saharanpur Wood Craft GI (2014) |
| Bhadohi–Mirzapur | Hand-knotted, hand-tufted and flatweave rugs, dhurries | Bhadohi TEE for carpets (DGFT); Mirzapur TEE under FTP 2023 (PIB); Hand made Carpet of Bhadohi GI (2010) |
| Varanasi | Silk saris and brocades, silk fabric, glass beads, wooden toys | TEE for handlooms and handicrafts (EPCH, 31 Mar 2023); Banaras Brocades and Sarees GI (2009) |
| Agra | Leather and non-leather footwear, stone inlay | TEE for leather products (DGFT); Agra Leather Footwear GI (July 2023) |
| Kanpur | Saddlery and harness, finished leather, leather goods | TEE for leather products (DGFT); Kanpur Saddlery GI (2014) |
| Firozabad | Glass décor, glass tableware, bangles | TEE for glass artwares (DGFT); Firozabad Glass GI (2014) |
| Khurja | Ceramic tableware and pottery | ODOP ceramic products, Bulandshahr district; Khurja Pottery GI (2015) |
| Aligarh | Locks, padlocks, builders' hardware | ODOP locks and hardware; Aligarh Tala GI (2023) |
| Meerut | Cricket bats and balls, protective gear, boxing and fitness goods | ODOP sports goods |
| Noida | Garments, textiles, electronics | TEE for apparel products (DGFT); ODOP readymade garments, Gautam Buddha Nagar district |
Products we inspect in Uttar Pradesh
- Metal and wood décor: brass and copper décor, aluminium décor, wooden décor and carved sheesham furniture.
- Rugs: hand-knotted, hand-tufted and dhurries and kilims.
- Leather: leather shoes, saddlery and harness and leather goods.
- Glass and ceramics: glass décor, bangles and stoneware dinnerware.
- Hardware, sport and textiles: locks and padlocks, cricket bats, silk saris and garments.
For a wider view of décor checks across these clusters, see home décor and handicrafts inspection in India.
How coverage and travel work in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is large, so where the factory sits decides the travel band:
- Band B, US$99 per man-day: Moradabad and Saharanpur, where we have inspectors based, and Noida, which our Delhi NCR inspectors cover. Notice is from the same day to 3 working days; Moradabad and Saharanpur usually need 2–3 working days.
- Band C, actual travel cost quoted before you book: everywhere else. Agra, Aligarh, Firozabad, Khurja, Meerut and Kanpur are reached from Delhi NCR. Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Varanasi are reached from Delhi NCR or Kolkata. Allow up to 5 working days.
The inspection fee is US$249 per man-day in every band; see pricing. Rug and leather orders in particular are often spread across looms, tanneries and finishing units, and each unit needs its own visit and sample.
ODOP districts and geographical indications
Many Uttar Pradesh crafts are registered geographical indications (GIs). Beyond those in the table, the registry lists Lucknow Chikan Craft, Agra Durrie, Mirzapur Handmade Dari, Varanasi Glass Beads and Baghpat Home Furnishings, the last from the Kekhra handloom area. A GI protects the name; it does not certify a particular factory or lot.
ODOP is a state programme that names a product for each district and supports common facility centres and marketing. It tells you where an industry is concentrated, not how good any one supplier is. On a first order, a factory audit or a during-production inspection is a better test of the supplier than a GI or ODOP listing.
How to book an inspection in Uttar Pradesh
Send the product, the factory's district and address, and the ready date through the booking form, or use the prefilled forms for Moradabad and Saharanpur. Include your specification, approved-sample photos and label artwork.
We confirm the inspector, man-days and price within 24 hours. The report follows within 24 hours of the inspection, after supervisor review, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.
Sources
- DGFT, Appendix 1B: List of Towns of Export Excellence
- EPCH press release: Moradabad and Varanasi declared Towns of Export Excellence (31 Mar 2023)
- PIB: Foreign Trade Policy 2023 announced, new Towns of Export Excellence incl. Mirzapur (31 Mar 2023)
- IP India GI registry: Moradabad Metal Craft (application 161)
- IP India GI registry: Saharanpur Wood Craft (application 184)
- IP India GI registry: Hand made Carpet of Bhadohi (application 148)
- IP India GI registry: Banaras Brocades and Sarees (application 99)
- IP India GI registry: Agra Leather Footwear (application 721)
- IP India GI registry: Kanpur Saddlery (application 159)
- IP India GI registry: Firozabad Glass (application 155)
- IP India GI registry: Khurja Pottery (application 178)
- IP India GI registry: Aligarh Tala (application 664)
- IP India GI registry: Baghpat Home Furnishings (application 731)
- ODOP Uttar Pradesh: Bulandshahr ceramic products
- ODOP Uttar Pradesh: Aligarh, Locks & Hardware
- ODOP Uttar Pradesh: Meerut, sports goods
- ODOP Uttar Pradesh: Gautam Buddha Nagar, Readymade Garments and Textile Products
- ODOP Uttar Pradesh: Saharanpur wood craft
Are you a quality inspector in Uttar Pradesh?
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.