Huge Relief for Indian Handicraft Exports as Rules Eased for Shisham-Based Export

FDT Bureau

Image credits: www.gatha.com; Best of Exports (for representational purpose)

During its annual Conference of Parties held in Panama, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) reportedly modified an existing rule on the export of products made out of Shisham. Although Shisham is available in abundance in India, it had not been treated as an endangered species. This led to the creation of a restrictive provision in the treaty in the absence of technology to identify the finished products at the customs checking point. CITES has now agreed to change a restrictive provision in the treaty hampering the export of furniture and other items made out of North Indian Rosewood or Shisham (a popular variety of timber), thereby benefiting the furniture export market of India. 

CITES has now agreed to change a restrictive provision in the treaty hampering the export of furniture and other items made out of North Indian Rosewood or Shisham (a popular variety of timber)

Reportedly, every export consignment of Shisham weighing more than 10 kg at present requires a CITES permit, as mentioned in Appendix II of the convention. This clause has affected the exports of furniture and handicrafts made of Shisham, thereby falling from an estimated Rs 1,000 crore ($ 129 million) per year before the listing to Rs 500-600 ($ 64 to 77 million) per year, informs Deccan Herald’s report. The decline severely affects the livelihoods of nearly 50,000 artisans who work with the species. However, as per the recent modification, any number of Shisham-based items can be exported as a single consignment in a shipment without CITES permits if the weight of each item of such a consignment is less than 10 kg.

It had also been agreed that for the net weight of each item, only timber will be considered and any other item used in the product like metal will be ignored. This move is expected to act as a great relief for the Indian artisans and furniture industry.