Industry glossary — carpets, fibres & export

Jute

Golden bast fibre from Corchorus species; biodegradable cellulose staple braided or woven into area rugs—India's dominant eco-floor-covering export fibre alongside sisal.

Sisal

Leaf-derived fibre from Agave sisalana; stiff yarns favoured for abrasion-resistant runners and contract corridors requiring dimensional stability.

Seagrass

Marine-grass stalk weaving prized for wax-coated surfaces suited to humid—but still indoor—installations outside soaking showers.

Banana fibre

Textile-grade filament reclaimed from banana pseudostems after fruit harvest; blended or accented with bast yarns for lustrous artisan capsules.

Wool

Protein mammal fleece spun into plush yarns often tufted for hospitality acoustics and warmth retention programmes needing resilient pile.

Cotton dhurrie

Flatwoven reversible cotton rug without elevated pile—popular washable SKU bridging affordability with breathable interiors versus sisal stiffness.

Hand-braiding

Cord-twisted yarns stitched spirally into braids—distinct tactile ridges prized by farmhouse aesthetic merchants stocking reversible discs.

Hand-weaving

Interlacing warp/weft on looms producing planar constructions controlling GSM uniformity tighter than purely braided geometries.

Hand-tufting

Tufting-gun insertion through stretched backing canvases enabling sculpted piles ideal for wool showroom vignettes versus braided silhouettes.

Hand-knotting

Traditional Indo-Persian knot tying—distinct luxury-tier SKU uncommon within braided-volume exporters yet cited synonymously by sourcing newcomers.

Pile height

Measured fibre elevation above backing substrate influencing acoustics, furniture glide friction, and vacuum choreography guiding QA inspectors.

GSM

Grams per square metre quantifies textile bulk correlating shipping cubic optimisation versus tactile plush perceptions merchandisers annotate catalogue grids.

MOQ

Minimum order quantity (sqm per design at MKT Rugs from fifty)—critical importer KPI aligning dye kitchens versus amortised loom setups.

FOB

Free On Board Incoterms handing freight liability baton once pallets cross Kolkata/Nhava Sheva vessel rails—standard exporter acronym clerks rehearse.

CIF

Cost Insurance Freight whereby sellers procure maritime hull policies buyers reconcile deductibles against landed warehousing spreadsheets proactively.

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid shifting tariff choreography wholly exporter-side requiring bonded partner choreography audited quarterly finance councils scrutinise.

CEPC

Carpet Export Promotion Council—apex exporter consortium beneath India's Ministry of Textiles issuing documentation corridors audited shipments cite routinely.

EPCH

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts organiser behind IHGF Delhi fairs connecting Bengal artisans with multinational sourcing mandates referencing pavilion QR itineraries.

IHGF Delhi Fair

India’s flagship handicrafts trade fair (often Greater Noida / Delhi NCR) where exporters showcase home textiles—see EPCH for organiser details.

HS code

Harmonised System code used on customs invoices to classify woven vs tufted carpets; exact heading depends on fibre, backing, and construction—confirm per shipment.

5702.20

Example HS heading often cited for woven floor coverings of vegetable textile materials such as jute (always validate against exact construction with your customs broker).

Warp

The fixed longitudinal yarns on a loom held under tension; together with weft they define tensile strength and pattern registration.

Weft

Yarn inserted crosswise through the warp on a loom to build the rug face; picks per inch influence durability and design clarity.

Loom

Frame or machine that holds warp yarns while weft is inserted—manual looms preserve artisan variation; monitored tension improves export-grade consistency.

Backing

Secondary layer that locks tufts or stabilises flatweaves—material choice affects VOC profile, fold radius, and cushion pairing.

Latex

Common secondary backing adhesive for tufted carpets; disclose chemistry when buyers require low-VOC or allergen-sensitive specs.

Dhurrie

Traditional flatwoven rug (often cotton or wool) without cut pile—typically lighter and fold-friendly vs tufted carpets.

Kilim

Slit-tapestry flatweave with geometric motifs and visible slit junctions where colours meet—distinct from plush pile rugs.

Tufting gun

Tool that punches yarn through a primary backing to form pile loops or cut pile—enables faster patterned wool rugs vs purely manual knotting.

Strike-off

Small approval sample produced before bulk—used to sign off colour, yarn mix, and pile height.

Swatch

Small fabric sample (often yarn or mini weave) sent so buyers can approve handle, colour, and fibre blend.

Fumigation certificate

Document proving wooden pallets or shipments were treated per phytosanitary rules—often requested for certain destination ports.

Certificate of origin

States where goods were manufactured—needed for preferential tariffs under trade agreements when eligible.

Bill of lading

Carrier-issued document evidencing receipt of cargo for ocean freight—central to L/C presentations and title transfer under sea shipments.

Letter of Credit

Bank guarantee of payment to exporter upon presenting compliant documents—common for first-time high-value carpet contracts.

T/T

Telegraphic transfer—direct bank wire commonly used for deposits and balances after BL copy unless L/C governs.

SEDEX / SMETA

Ethical-audit ecosystem (SMETA methodology on SEDEX) retailers use to verify social compliance in supplier factories.

ISO 9001:2015

International standard for quality management systems—signals documented QC and corrective-action discipline.

GoodWeave

Non-profit certification programme focused on ending child labour in carpet supply chains; adoption is buyer-driven on request.

Incoterms

ICC rules (FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.) defining where risk and cost transfer between seller and buyer for international shipments.

Artisan network

Distributed craft workforce weaving or finishing rugs beyond a single factory gate—supports scale while preserving hand skills.

Private label

Manufacturing rugs sold under the retailer’s or importer’s brand rather than the factory’s house label.

Related: Material hubs · Fibre comparisons · FAQ