Iranian handicrafts wholesale: copperware, minakari enamel, khatam, ceramics and turquoise inlay

Main Iranian handicraft lines

What to agree with the workshop

Handmade items vary slightly from piece to piece. Ask for photos of the finished batch, not only catalogue pictures, before the goods are packed.

• Exact dimensions and weight, with an accepted tolerance for handmade variation.
• Base metal and thickness for copper and enamel items.
• Colour palette and design, approved by photo before production.
• Whether copper cookware is tinned inside, and whether the item is for food use or decoration only.
• For ceramics: whether the glaze is tested for lead and cadmium if the item will touch food.
• Finish and protective lacquer for decorative metalwork.
• Labelling, barcodes and any care leaflet you need in your language.
• Packing standard and a drop test for fragile items.

Food-contact and safety points

Bare copper should not be used for acidic food. Traditional Iranian copper cookware is tinned inside (sefidgari), and the tin layer wears with use. Decorative enamel and engraved items are usually not meant for food.

Many importing countries set limits on lead and cadmium release from ceramic tableware. If you sell ceramics as tableware, ask for a migration test on the glaze from an accredited lab, or sell them as decorative pieces only.

Packaging, MOQ and lead times

Fragile items such as enamel, ceramics and khatam need individual boxes, foam or bubble wrap and strong master cartons. Wooden khatam items should be protected from humidity. Ask for a packing photo before shipment.

MOQs are usually set per design and can be small for high-value pieces. Production often takes several weeks because each item passes through several hands. Price depends on craft, size, the fineness of the work, materials and quantity.

HS codes, documents and shipping

Classification depends on material and use, so check the full code with your customs broker. Usual documents are the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin; wooden items may need ISPM-15 compliant packing. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.

Small, high-value orders often go by air. Larger orders go by sea from Bandar Abbas, often via Jebel Ali, or by road and rail to Turkey, the Caucasus and Central Asia. See /guides/shipping-routes-from-iran.

How to buy Iranian handicrafts on ASL Market

Browse /categories/asl_carpet_handicraft, or post a buying request at /post-request with the craft, item list, sizes, quantity and destination. Chat with workshops through ASL Market; your contact details stay private.

The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date before you pay, and adds the checked freight to the invoice. Payment is in USDT today; more payment methods are coming soon. ASL Secure Pay holds your payment until you confirm receipt, or until it is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute. ASL Market decides disputes and may grant a partial refund, for example for breakage. See /trade-assurance.

FAQ

What is minakari?

Minakari is the Isfahan craft of painting coloured enamel on a copper base and firing it in a kiln. Typical pieces are plates, vases and boxes with fine floral and bird designs. Quality shows in the fineness of the painting and the evenness of the enamel.

What is khatam?

Khatam is Iranian marquetry from Shiraz and Isfahan. Thousands of tiny triangles of wood, bone and metal are glued into rods, sliced and laid on boxes, frames and panels. Finer pieces have more pieces per square centimetre.

Can Iranian copper pots be used for cooking?

Copper cookware for food use should be tinned inside, which is the traditional Iranian practice. Decorative engraved and enamelled pieces are usually not for food. Agree the intended use with the workshop.

Do Iranian ceramics meet food-safety rules?

It depends on the glaze. If you sell ceramics as tableware, ask for a lead and cadmium migration test from an accredited lab against your country's limit. Otherwise sell them as decorative items.

How do I avoid breakage in shipment?

Ask for individual boxes, foam or bubble wrap, strong master cartons and a packing photo before dispatch. Check goods on arrival and open a dispute through ASL Secure Pay before you confirm receipt if items are broken.

Can workshops make my own design?

Many workshops accept custom designs, sizes and colours. Expect a sample or photo approval step and a minimum quantity per design. Agree tolerances for handmade variation in writing.