Key facts
- India exported US$1,200 million of natural stone total in FY2024-25 (ximpex.in).
- Largest destinations by value: USA 320; Vietnam 156; UK 79
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Rajasthan.
- Market guides for 15 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISPM-15 fumigation / heat treatment, ISO 9001, CE marking, Sedex SMETA audit.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container, mixed colours/sizes possible (typical).
Product overview
Rajasthan is a major global source of sandstone and limestone paving. Main areas are Kota-Jhalawar (Kota stone), Bundi and Bijolia (Kandla Grey, Autumn Brown, Raj Green), Dholpur-Bharatpur (beige sandstone) and Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The UK patio market is the best-known destination, along with Europe, Australia and North America.
Products include hand-cut riven patio packs in mixed sizes, calibrated and sawn slabs, sandblasted, honed and tumbled finishes, setts and cobbles, steps, copings, circles and wall cladding.
Buyers specify colour, thickness (hand-cut 22-35 mm, calibrated 20-25 mm), finish and pack mix. They increasingly ask for ethical-sourcing assurances because of documented labour concerns in Rajasthan quarries.
HS note: Sandstone simply sawn with a flat surface is 6802.29; Kota limestone is calcareous (6802.92/6802.91 path); setts, kerbs and flagstones of natural stone are 6801.
Specifications
| Thickness | Hand-cut riven 22-35 mm; calibrated 20-25 mm (typical) |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Patio packs 900x600, 600x600, 600x290, 290x290 mm; projects to order (typical) |
| Finish | Natural riven, sawn, sandblasted, honed, tumbled, brushed, flamed (typical) |
| Water absorption | ~1-4% for sandstone; < 0.5% for Kota limestone (typical) |
| Standards | EN 1341 slabs, EN 1342 setts for EU/UK projects (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Patio packs
Mixed-size riven packs for DIY and landscapers.
Sawn / calibrated
Contemporary sawn and honed paving.
Kota stone
Blue-green and brown limestone for flooring and paving.
Setts and cobbles
Hand-cut or tumbled setts for driveways.
Steps, copings, circles
Accessory landscaping items.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crates | ISPM-15 wooden crates of ~15-20 m² (patio packs) with foam separators | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~24-26 MT (≈ 380-430 m² of 22-25 mm paving) · 40' HC Weight-limited; 20' used. Heavy cargo; check road-weight rules (e.g. UK)
Customisation: Pack mixes, finishes, branded crates and labels
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Rajasthan
Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi, Bhilwara, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
Market requirements by region
European Union
Netherlands, Belgium and Germany buy Indian sandstone and Kota stone; EN 1341/1342 apply to paving. India lost EU GSP preferences for 2026-2028 (Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/1909), so MFN duty applies; the EU-India FTA concluded on 27 Jan 2026 is not yet in force.
United States & Canada
Smaller but growing landscaping market. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
United Kingdom
The UK is the leading patio-sandstone market for India. Construction products are an exception to the CE/UKCA recognition rule, so check UKCA/CE requirements for paving. UK-India CETA has been in force since 15 Jul 2026; claim preference with a CETA proof of origin (DCTS proofs are not interchangeable).
Australia & New Zealand
Australia buys Indian sandstone and limestone for landscaping; India-Australia ECTA (in force 29 Dec 2022) gives zero duty on most tariff lines with a preferential certificate of origin.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Colour batch photographs and pack-mix check
- • Thickness calibration check
- • Crate strength and ISPM-15 marks
- • Ethical-sourcing documentation on request
Certifications available
- • ISPM-15 fumigation / heat treatment
- • ISO 9001
- • CE marking
- • Sedex SMETA audit
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • ISPM-15 certificate
- • Test report (EN 1341/1342) on request
- • Ethical-sourcing / quarry audit documents on request
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Natural stone total (granite+marble+other, HS 2515+6802) | 1,200 | estimated | ximpex.in |
Top destinations: USA 320; Vietnam 156; UK 79
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
Riven or sawn?
Riven is hand-split with a natural textured face and variable thickness. Sawn is machine-cut to a flat, even thickness for a modern look.
What is a patio pack?
A crate of mixed sizes (e.g. 900x600, 600x600, 600x290, 290x290 mm) covering about 15-20 m², designed for random-pattern laying.
Is Indian sandstone frost-resistant?
Most commercial varieties perform well in UK and northern European climates. Ask for EN 1341 freeze-thaw test reports.
How do you address child labour concerns?
We work with suppliers who can provide quarry-to-yard traceability and third-party ethical audits.
What is Kota stone?
A dense, fine-grained limestone from Kota, Rajasthan, in blue-green and brown shades, used for flooring and paving.
Request a quote for Sandstone Paving, Limestone (Kota) & Cobbles
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