Why buyers source from India
- Range: deep manufacturing in textiles, leather, home goods, handicrafts, engineering and more.
- Handmade and specialist products that are hard to find anywhere else.
- Diversification: a second sourcing country lowers your supply-chain risk.
- Flexible order sizes: many workshops accept smaller MOQs for craft products.
Know the manufacturing hubs
Indian manufacturing is organised in clusters, and buying from the right cluster matters.
| Product | Main hubs |
|---|---|
| Knitwear and T-shirts | Tiruppur |
| Home textiles and rugs | Panipat |
| Leather and footwear | Kanpur, Agra, Chennai, Ambur |
| Brass and metal crafts | Moradabad |
| Ceramics | Khurja; Morbi for tiles |
| Glassware | Firozabad |
| Hand tools | Ludhiana, Jalandhar |
| Pumps and machine parts | Rajkot, Coimbatore |
| Solid wood furniture | Jodhpur |
See every sector on our sourcing page.
The sourcing process
- Write a clear specification: materials, sizes, colours, quantities, packaging and target price.
- Shortlist and verify manufacturers: GST registration, factory visits or video walkthroughs, references.
- Order samples and approve one golden sample that production must match.
- Agree terms: price, MOQ, lead time, Incoterm and payment schedule, in writing.
- Monitor production and inspect before shipment.
- Ship from ports such as Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai or Kolkata, or by road to neighbouring countries.
Export documents your supplier provides
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Shipping bill filed with Indian customs
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of origin, needed to claim lower duty under a trade agreement
- Test reports or certificates your market requires
Plan around the calendar
Production slows during major festivals such as Diwali, and the monsoon can delay inland transport in some regions. Order early for festive and year-end retail seasons. Build these periods into your lead times.
Anthill Sourcing works with manufacturers across these hubs and runs samples, quality checks and shipping for buyers. See how it works for buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is India cheaper than China for manufacturing?
It depends on the product. India is very competitive for textiles, leather, handicrafts and many engineered goods. China often leads on electronics and high-volume plastics. Many buyers use both.
What is a typical MOQ in India?
MOQs vary widely. Workshops making handmade products often accept a few hundred pieces, while factories making mass-produced goods usually need more.
