Sourcing trips · India
India sourcing trips for metalware, furniture and handcrafts
Overview
North India is a short flight from Dubai and one of the richest sources of brass, metalware, solid-wood furniture, carving, textiles and carpets for hospitality interiors. We plan the route, travel with you and follow the order to your site.
- Main clusters
- Moradabad · Jodhpur · Saharanpur
- Key fair
- IHGF Delhi Fair, 15–19 Mar 2027
- Gateway
- Delhi NCR
- Good for
- Brass, metal, solid wood, carving, carpets
Where the factories are
Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
India’s brass and metalware cluster: decorative metal, lighting components and accessories.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Solid-wood and wrought-iron furniture, with a large number of furniture export houses.
Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Wood carving: a recognised wood-craft cluster.
Bhadohi–Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh
The hand-made carpet belt.
Delhi NCR
Exporters’ showrooms and the IHGF Delhi Fair at Greater Noida.
What an India trip is good for
India suits projects that want hand-finished metal and timber: brass and bronze details, decorative lighting bodies, carved panels, solid-wood loose furniture, rugs and textiles. Much of the work is done by hand, so a visit shows the true level of craft and consistency.
Many buyers start at the IHGF Delhi Fair to see hundreds of exporters in one place, then visit the workshops in Moradabad, Jodhpur or Saharanpur that fit the brief.
- Brass, bronze and decorative metalwork
- Solid-wood and iron furniture
- Carved panels and screens
- Hand-made rugs and textiles
Sourcing from India, delivering to the GCC
Hand-finished goods vary more from piece to piece than machine-made ones. We agree reference samples at the workshop and inspect against them during production and before shipment, so the last piece matches the first.
Goods are consolidated and shipped to the UAE, then cleared and delivered or stored until the site is ready.
What we handle
Route planning
Factories, showrooms and fairs grouped by city so travel days are short and every visit has a purpose.
Pre-screened factories
Suppliers checked for the category, contract experience, capacity and export record before you visit.
Interpreting and negotiation
Technical questions asked in the room, in the supplier’s language where needed, and answers written down.
One visit record
Photos, prices, MOQs, lead times and sample requests captured per supplier and shared after each day.
Staged QC
Pre-production approval, during-production and pre-shipment inspections, and container loading checks.
Freight to the UAE and GCC
Consolidation with your other suppliers, shipping, customs clearance and delivery through our logistics partners.
How a trip runs
Before you fly
Brief and shortlist
You share the product list, drawings, mood board, quantities and budget. We shortlist factories and showrooms that make that category at contract quality, and agree the route and dates with you.
Before you fly
Appointments and logistics
We book factory appointments, ground transport, interpreters where needed, and a day-by-day plan. Fair tickets and registration are arranged when the trip is built around a trade fair.
On the ground
Accompanied factory visits
A member of the team travels with you, asks the technical questions (materials, finishes, capacity, lead times, packing, fire certification) and records every sample and price in one shortlist.
On the ground
Samples and decisions
Finish samples and prototypes are requested on the spot, with clear owners and dates, so the decision is not lost when you fly home.
After the trip
Comparison and negotiation
You receive a side-by-side comparison of the shortlisted suppliers. We negotiate, issue purchase orders on your instruction and follow production.
After the trip
QC, consolidation and delivery
Staged inspections at the factory, consolidation with your other suppliers, shipping into the UAE or GCC, customs clearance, storage if the site is not ready, and installation.
IHGF Delhi Fair
| Fair | Where | Next dates |
|---|---|---|
| IHGF Delhi Fair, spring | India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida | 15–19 Mar 2027 |
| IHGF Delhi Fair, autumn | India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida | 15–19 Oct 2027 |
Dates checked on 13 Nov 2026 against organiser websites. Organisers can change dates; we confirm before any booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as your India procurement desk?
No. Our India desk delivers FF&E to projects in India. Sourcing trips take buyers to Indian makers for projects in the UAE, the GCC and elsewhere.
When should we go?
The IHGF Delhi Fair runs in spring and autumn (15–19 March and 15–19 October 2027). Combining the fair with workshop visits gives the widest view in the shortest time.
Do I have to buy from the factories we visit?
No. The trip is there to help you decide. You choose which suppliers go forward, and we only issue purchase orders on your instruction.
Can you run the procurement after the trip?
Yes. Most clients ask us to negotiate, place the orders, follow production, inspect, consolidate and deliver, so one team is accountable from the factory floor to the site.
Can you visit factories for me if I cannot travel?
Yes. We can visit on your behalf with a video call from the factory floor, and send photos, measurements and a written report of each visit.
Plan an India sourcing trip
Share your product list, drawings or a mood board, your dates and the cities you want to cover. The Dubai team replies with a proposed route and next steps. Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Gulf Standard Time). Closed on Sunday.