How to Export Granite and Natural Stone from India — Complete Guide

India is the world's largest exporter of granite and a major source of processed natural stone for construction and interior design globally. India's exports of granite and worked stone under HS headings 2515 and 6802 reached $1.20 billion in 2024-25, supplying polished slabs, tiles, monuments, countertops, and raw blocks to over 100 countries.

India's competitive advantage is geological — the Deccan Plateau and the ancient cratons of South India contain some of the world's finest granite deposits in an extraordinary range of colours: Black Galaxy from Andhra Pradesh, Imperial Red from Rajasthan, Kashmir White from Tamil Nadu, and dozens of other varieties prized by architects and designers worldwide. For MSME quarry owners and stone processors, the export market offers significantly higher realisations than domestic sales.

India's Stone Export Landscape

India exported $1.20 billion in granite and natural stone in 2024-25, relatively stable from $1.31 billion in 2022-23:

HS Code	Category	2024-25 Exports (USD Million)	Share
680223	Granite, polished/worked (slabs, tiles)	$750.3	62.5%
680293	Other stone, polished/worked	$152.5	12.7%
680221	Granite, simply cut (tiles, slabs)	$136.8	11.4%
680299	Other worked stone	$91.4	7.6%
251512	Granite, crude/roughly trimmed	$26.6	2.2%
680291	Marble/travertine, polished	$18.6	1.5%
251520	Other dimension stone, crude	$11.6	1.0%

Polished granite ($750M) dominates at 62.5%, reflecting India's value-addition capability — cutting, polishing, and finishing rough blocks into export-ready slabs and tiles. Raw/crude granite ($26.6M) accounts for only 2.2%, indicating that India exports predominantly finished stone.

Where Indian Granite and Natural Stone Are in Demand

The USA and China are the two largest importers of Indian granite, for very different reasons — the USA for finished countertops and building cladding, China for raw blocks that are re-processed and re-exported. European markets, particularly Italy, Germany, and the UK, are important for both raw blocks and polished slabs. The Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) drives demand through construction projects. Japan, South Korea, and Australia are growing markets for Indian granite in the Asia-Pacific region.

Want the full country-by-country breakdown? See exact export values, growth rates, tariff rates, and market attractiveness scores for every destination in our detailed data pages. View Granite and Natural Stone export data by country →

Major Granite Varieties and Quarrying Regions

Andhra Pradesh/Telangana — India's Granite Hub

• Black Galaxy (Star Galaxy) — Ongole, Chimakurthy. India's most famous granite. Dense black with golden flecks. Premium export variety.
• Black Pearl — Prakasam district. Deep black, consistent colour.
• Tan Brown — Karimnagar, Telangana. Brown-black with flecks.

Rajasthan

• Imperial Red — Jalore. Vivid red granite, highly sought after globally.
• Jaisalmer Yellow — Yellow sandstone/limestone for cladding.
• Rajasthan Black — Dense black granite.
• Also major for marble (Makrana White, Green Marble).

Tamil Nadu

• Kashmir White — Salem district. White/grey with green/black flecks.
• Imperial White — Light background with grey veining.
• Paradiso — Madurai. Multicoloured granite.

Karnataka

• Hassan Green — Hassan district.
• Coral Gold — Bellary.
• Bangalone region has significant processing capacity.

Other States

• Odisha — Khondalite stone, granite varieties
• Gujarat — Ambaji marble
• Jharkhand — Various granite deposits

HS Code Classification

6-Digit Code	Description	Key Products
251511	Marble, crude/roughly trimmed	Rough marble blocks
251512	Granite, crude/roughly trimmed	Rough granite blocks
251520	Other dimension stone, crude	Sandstone, slate blocks
680221	Marble/stone, simply cut, flat	Cut-to-size tiles, basic slabs
680223	Granite, polished/decorated/worked	Polished slabs, countertops
680291	Marble/travertine, polished	Polished marble products
680293	Other stone, polished	Polished sandstone, slate, quartzite
680299	Other worked stone	Carved, shaped, profiled stone

Key distinction: Rough blocks (2515) face lower or zero tariffs in most markets because they are raw material for the destination country's stone industry. Polished/finished stone (6802) faces higher tariffs but commands 3-5x the price per tonne. India has strategically shifted towards finished exports.

Use the HS Code Finder for precise classification.

Quality Standards

Physical Properties (Tested per ASTM C615)

Parameter	Typical Specification	Test Standard
Compressive strength	>130 MPa	ASTM C170
Flexural strength	>10 MPa	ASTM C880
Water absorption	<0.4%	ASTM C97
Density	>2.56 g/cm³	ASTM C97
Abrasion resistance	>25 (Hardness)	ASTM C241
Modulus of rupture	>10 MPa	ASTM C99

Quality Control in Processing

• Slab thickness tolerance — ±1mm for standard (20mm, 30mm slabs)
• Surface finish — Mirror polish (90+ gloss), honed (matte), flamed (textured), bush-hammered
• Colour consistency — Matching within a single lot is critical. Natural stone varies — buyers expect reasonable consistency within specified tolerance.
• Edge profiles — Bullnose, bevel, ogee — must match specification exactly for countertop exports

Testing Labs and Costs

Physical property testing should be conducted at accredited laboratories before quoting to international buyers. Key testing facilities in India include the Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS) in Jaipur, the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) in Bengaluru, SGS India (Chennai, Mumbai), and Bureau Veritas labs. Typical testing costs: a full ASTM C615 suite (compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, density, abrasion resistance, modulus of rupture) costs Rs 15,000-30,000 per stone variety with a 10-15 day turnaround. CE marking testing under EN 12372, EN 1936, and EN 13755 costs Rs 20,000-40,000. Keep test certificates current — most buyers accept reports valid for 2 years, but request fresh testing if you change quarry blocks or open a new quarry face.

Certifications

• CE Marking — Required for construction stone in the EU under CPR (Construction Products Regulation). The stone must be tested per EN 1469 (cladding slabs), EN 12057 (modular tiles), or EN 12058 (floor slabs) depending on application. A Declaration of Performance (DoP) must accompany every shipment.
• ASTM standards — Referenced in US specifications. ASTM C615 (granite), ASTM C568 (limestone), ASTM C503 (marble) are the key standards. US architects and contractors specify these in project documents — ensure your stone meets the minimum values.
• ISO 9001 — Quality management for processing plants
• Environmental compliance — Mining lease, environmental clearance (EC), consent from SPCB
• Ethical sourcing — Increasing demand from European buyers for traceability from quarry to finished slab. Some premium projects require a "chain of custody" document proving no child labour or illegal mining. Consider third-party social audits for your quarry operations.

Packaging and Loading

Polished Slabs

• Slabs packed vertically in A-frame steel racks (also called "bundles")
• Each slab separated by foam or rubber spacers to prevent scratching
• Bundle strapped with steel bands, loaded onto flat-rack or open-top containers
• Typical bundle: 8-12 slabs, each 260cm × 160cm × 2cm or 3cm

Tiles

• Stacked in wooden crates with foam/cardboard separators
• Palletised for container loading
• 20-ft container holds approximately 1,200-1,500 sq ft of 30mm tiles

Raw Blocks

• Loaded on flat-rack containers or in vessel holds (break-bulk)
• Block size: typically 280cm × 180cm × 150cm (10-15 tonnes per block)
• Secured with wooden wedges and steel chain lashings

Key Consideration — Weight

Stone is extremely heavy (granite density ~2.7 tonnes/m³):

• A 20-ft container can hold only 20-22 tonnes (weight limit)
• Value per container: $8,000-$30,000 for polished slabs
• Always calculate by weight, not volume

Pricing Strategy

Product	FOB Price Range	Unit	Key Markets
Granite blocks (per m³)	$150-$600	Cubic metre	Vietnam, Poland, China
Polished granite slabs (per m²)	$15-$60	Square metre	USA, UK, Germany
Granite tiles (per m²)	$10-$35	Square metre	Middle East, EU
Black Galaxy polished slab	$40-$80/m²	Square metre	USA, Europe (premium)
Imperial Red polished slab	$30-$60/m²	Square metre	USA, Europe
Kashmir White polished slab	$20-$40/m²	Square metre	Global
Monument/memorial stones	$200-$1,000/piece	Per piece	UK, USA, Europe

Black Galaxy commands the highest premium among Indian granites. Pricing depends heavily on thickness (2cm vs. 3cm), finish quality, and colour consistency within a lot.

Logistics

Shipping

• Container shipping — Standard for polished slabs and tiles (20-ft or 40-ft)
• Flat-rack containers — For oversized slabs or heavy blocks
• Break-bulk/vessel charter — For large block orders (100+ tonnes)

Key Ports

• Chennai — Primary for Tamil Nadu and AP stone exports
• Krishnapatnam — Growing port for AP granite
• Mundra — For Rajasthan stone
• JNPT Mumbai — For consolidated shipments

Transit Times

• Chennai to USA East Coast: 28-35 days
• Chennai to UK: 22-28 days
• Mundra to UAE: 4-6 days
• Chennai to Vietnam: 10-14 days

Freight Costs

• 20-ft container (polished slabs): $1,500-$3,500 to USA
• Flat-rack to Europe: $3,000-$5,500
• Break-bulk (blocks): $30-$60/tonne to EU

Documentation

1. Commercial Invoice (with stone variety, finish, dimensions, quantity in m²/m³)
2. Packing List (slab-by-slab or crate-by-crate)
3. Bill of Lading
4. Certificate of Origin
5. Quality Test Report (compressive strength, water absorption, density)
6. CE Declaration of Conformity (for EU construction market)
7. Mining Lease / Mining Plan approval document
8. Environmental Clearance Certificate
9. Shipping Bill (via ICEGATE)
10. Insurance Certificate

Buyer Finding Strategies

Trade Shows

• Stona (Bengaluru) — India's premier stone trade fair, held biennially. Organised by the Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry (FIGSI). Over 300 exhibitors and buyers from 60+ countries attend.
• Marmomac (Verona, Italy) — The world's largest natural stone trade fair, held every September. Essential for entering European markets. CAPEXIL and the Indian government often sponsor India Pavilion participation.
• Coverings (USA) — North America's largest tile and stone trade show, held annually. Strong for connecting with US countertop fabricators, distributors, and architects.
• Middle East Stone (Dubai) — Key for Middle Eastern construction project buyers. Held annually alongside The Big 5 construction expo.
• Xiamen Stone Fair (China) — Asia's largest stone show. Important for block buyers from Chinese processing centres.

B2B Channels

• CAPEXIL buyer-seller meets — Organised periodically in target markets, providing pre-vetted introductions to importers and distributors.
• StonExpo, StoneWorld magazine — Industry publications that connect sellers with global buyers through directories and classified listings.
• Indian Embassy commercial wings — Contact commercial counsellors at Indian missions in target countries for buyer databases and project intelligence. Many embassies maintain updated lists of local stone importers and distributors.
• Online platforms — StoneContact.com, Alibaba, and specialized stone trading platforms allow you to list products with technical specifications, photographs, and pricing.

Government Incentives

• RoDTEP — 0.5-2% of FOB value. Polished granite (680223) typically attracts 1-1.5%, while crude/rough blocks (251512) may get up to 2%. Verify the current rate on the DGFT RoDTEP schedule.
• CAPEXIL membership — Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council handles stone exports. CAPEXIL provides Market Access Initiative (MAI) support, trade fair subsidies, and buyer-seller meet organisation.
• District Mineral Foundation — Some states provide infrastructure support for mining clusters, including road development to quarry sites and shared processing facilities
• Star Export House benefits for large exporters
• Advance Authorisation — For import of diamond tools and consumables used in stone processing (gang-saw blades, diamond segments, polishing abrasives). Duty-free import linked to export commitment.
• Pre-shipment and post-shipment credit — Banks offer packing credit at concessional rates for stone export orders. Post-shipment credit available for up to 90 days at competitive rates under RBI export credit guidelines.
• MSME Technology Upgradation — Subsidies for CNC cutting machines, automated polishing lines, and bridge saws that improve processing quality and throughput. Available through state MSME schemes and SIDBI loan programmes.

Common Mistakes

Inconsistent colour across a shipment. Natural stone varies within the same quarry. Buyers expect reasonable consistency. Inspect and sort blocks/slabs for colour matching before processing export orders. Provide samples and get written approval before production.

Poor packaging leading to breakage. Granite is brittle — a single transit shock can crack polished slabs. Invest in proper A-frame racks, foam spacers, and secure lashing. Breakage claims of 2-5% are common with poor packaging.

Not accounting for weight limits. A 20-ft container of polished granite hits the weight limit (20-22 tonnes) long before the volume limit. New exporters often underestimate the number of containers needed for an order.

Environmental non-compliance at the quarry. Indian granite quarries require mining leases, environmental clearance, and consent from the State Pollution Control Board. International buyers increasingly audit supply chain sustainability — non-compliant quarries risk losing business.

Sending wrong dimensions. Countertop fabricators in the USA order slabs to specific dimensions (typically 120" × 60" or 130" × 65"). Slabs that are 2-3 inches short are rejected. Measure precisely and communicate dimensions clearly.

Not providing physical test reports proactively. Many first-time exporters wait for the buyer to request test certificates. Instead, include ASTM or EN test reports in your initial quotation package. This signals professionalism and accelerates the buyer's decision-making process — architects and specifiers need these numbers before they can approve a stone for a project.

Neglecting container dunnage and lashing. Stone shifts during ocean transit due to vessel rolling. Under-secured slabs or blocks can break free, damaging the cargo and even the container. Use proper wooden wedges, steel chain lashings, and rubber mats. Hire experienced stevedores who specialise in stone loading — the cost is minimal compared to a breakage claim.

Key Takeaways

• India exported $1.20 billion in granite and natural stone in 2024-25
• Polished granite ($750M) dominates — India exports predominantly finished stone
• USA ($320M), Vietnam ($156M), and UK ($79M) are the top markets
• Black Galaxy, Kashmir White, and Imperial Red are India's premium export varieties
• Weight, not volume, determines container capacity and freight costs
• CE marking is required for construction stone in the EU
• Colour consistency, dimensional accuracy, and packaging quality are the key competitive factors

Next Steps

1. Identify your HS code with the HS Code Finder — crude blocks (2515) vs. polished (6802) matters
2. Get quality testing done per ASTM C615/C616 standards
3. Check tariff rates using the Duty Calculator
4. Join CAPEXIL for export promotion council support
5. Invest in processing — CNC cutting, polishing lines, edge profiling for value addition
6. Explore market demand with the Market Finder
7. Attend trade fairs — Stona (Bengaluru, biennial), Marmomacc/Marmomac (Verona), Coverings (USA)

India's granite industry sits on billions of tonnes of reserves spanning an extraordinary range of colours and textures. With the world's construction industry growing and natural stone maintaining its premium status, Indian stone exporters have a durable competitive advantage rooted in geology.