Open data
Rug trade data: open tables and CSV downloads
Clean tables for rug buyers and writers: approximate pieces and square metres per container, sea freight transit days from Nhava Sheva, our quality tolerances, typical specification ranges, standard sizes and order terms. Free to download as CSV under CC BY 4.0. Every figure is approximate or typical, and the exact plan is confirmed on your quote.
Last updated: 31 October 2026
License, citation and downloads
Free to use with attribution: cite Raheem & Son, raheemandson.com/rug-trade-data. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Suggested citation: Raheem & Son (2026). Rug trade data: container loading, sea freight transit, QC tolerances and specification ranges. Updated 31 October 2026. raheemandson.com/rug-trade-data. CC BY 4.0.
- rug-container-loading.csv: Approximate pieces and square metres per 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high-cube container.
- rug-sea-freight-transit.csv: Approximate port-to-port transit ranges in days by destination region.
- rug-qc-tolerances.csv: Weight, size, skew and colour approval tolerances.
- rug-specification-ranges.csv: Knot density, pile height, weight and lead time ranges.
- rug-sizes.csv: Standard rectangle, runner and round sizes in feet, centimetres and square metres.
The files are generated from the same data as the tables below and the free tools.
Cite and archive
Each topic is also archived on Zenodo with a DOI, so it can be cited and kept as a fixed version. All eight records are CC BY 4.0.
- Approximate container loading for handmade rugs, poufs, pillows and baskets: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840203 (Zenodo record)
- Sea-freight transit times from Nhava Sheva (JNPT), October 2026: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840216 (Zenodo record)
- Quality tolerances and inspection for handmade rugs: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840227 (Zenodo record)
- Typical specification ranges for handmade rugs: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840242 (Zenodo record)
- Private label and OEM handmade rugs: a buyer's guide: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840246 (Zenodo record)
- Importing handmade rugs from India: HS headings 5701, 5702, 5703: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840256 (Zenodo record)
- How the Raheem & Son Top-list rankings are scored: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840261 (Zenodo record)
- A glossary of handmade rug trade terms for buyers: doi:10.5281/zenodo.23840271 (Zenodo record)
Suggested citation: Raheem & Son (2026). Rug trade data: container loading, sea freight transit, QC tolerances and specification ranges. Updated 31 October 2026. raheemandson.com/rug-trade-data. CC BY 4.0.
Container loading by construction and size
| Construction | 20 ft | 40 ft standard | 40 ft high-cube | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-knotted | 900 to 1,650 | 1,850 to 3,300 | 2,150 to 3,800 | volume |
| Hand-tufted | 700 to 1,250 | 1,450 to 2,550 | 1,650 to 2,950 | volume |
| Flatweave / dhurrie | 1,850 to 3,600 | 3,750 to 7,250 | 4,300 to 8,350 | volume |
| Jute | 1,100 to 2,000 | 2,200 to 4,000 | 2,500 to 4,600 | volume |
| Size | 20 ft | 40 ft standard | 40 ft high-cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 ft | 1,690 to 2,960 | Plan by square metres | Plan by square metres |
| 3 x 5 ft | 675 to 1,180 | 1,350 to 2,365 | 1,555 to 2,725 |
| 5 x 8 ft | 250 to 440 | 505 to 885 | 580 to 1,020 |
| 8 x 10 ft | 125 to 220 | 250 to 440 | 290 to 510 |
| 9 x 12 ft | 90 to 160 | 185 to 325 | 215 to 375 |
| Size | 20 ft | 40 ft standard | 40 ft high-cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 ft | 1,315 to 2,325 | 2,630 to 4,650 | Plan by square metres |
| 3 x 5 ft | 525 to 930 | 1,050 to 1,860 | 1,210 to 2,140 |
| 5 x 8 ft | 195 to 345 | 390 to 695 | 450 to 800 |
| 8 x 10 ft | 95 to 170 | 195 to 345 | 225 to 400 |
| 9 x 12 ft | 70 to 125 | 145 to 255 | 165 to 295 |
| Size | 20 ft | 40 ft standard | 40 ft high-cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 ft | Plan by square metres | Plan by square metres | Plan by square metres |
| 3 x 5 ft | 1,350 to 2,600 | Plan by square metres | Plan by square metres |
| 5 x 8 ft | 505 to 975 | 1,010 to 1,950 | 1,165 to 2,245 |
| 8 x 10 ft | 250 to 485 | 505 to 975 | 580 to 1,120 |
| 9 x 12 ft | 185 to 360 | 375 to 720 | 430 to 830 |
| Size | 20 ft | 40 ft standard | 40 ft high-cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 ft | 1,970 to 3,615 | Plan by square metres | Plan by square metres |
| 3 x 5 ft | 785 to 1,445 | 1,575 to 2,890 | 1,815 to 3,330 |
| 5 x 8 ft | 295 to 540 | 590 to 1,085 | 680 to 1,245 |
| 8 x 10 ft | 145 to 270 | 295 to 540 | 340 to 620 |
| 9 x 12 ft | 105 to 200 | 215 to 400 | 250 to 460 |
Approximate, depends on rug size, pile and packing; the exact container plan is confirmed on your quote. Method, container dimensions, payloads and the 40 to 55 percent usable share are shown on the container loading calculator. Rolled thickness and weight assumptions (low / mid / high):
| Construction | Rolled thickness | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-knotted | 9 / 11 / 14 mm | 2.7 / 3.5 / 4.5 kg per sqm |
| Hand-tufted | 12 / 14 / 18 mm | 3 / 3.8 / 5 kg per sqm |
| Flatweave / dhurrie | 4 / 5 / 7 mm | 1.7 / 2 / 2.4 kg per sqm |
| Jute | 7 / 9 / 12 mm | 1.2 / 1.8 / 2.5 kg per sqm |
Sea freight transit from Nhava Sheva
| Region | Example ports | Days | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | 20 to 35 | moderate |
| UK | London Gateway, Felixstowe | 22 to 35 | moderate |
| US East and Gulf | New York/Newark, Savannah, Houston | 25 to 40 | moderate |
| US West | Los Angeles, Long Beach | 30 to 45 | low |
| Gulf | Jebel Ali | 4 to 10 | moderate |
| Australia | Sydney, Melbourne | 18 to 30 | low |
| Canada | Halifax, Montreal, Toronto (via Halifax or US East) | 35 to 55 | low |
| Singapore (reference) | Singapore | 8 to 14 | moderate |
- Red Sea and Suez disruption: carriers that route via the Cape of Good Hope add roughly 10 to 14 days on Europe, UK and US East lanes.
- Transshipment, port congestion, weather and blank sailings extend transit. Published schedule times are often 2 to 3 weeks shorter than door to door.
- Port to port from Nhava Sheva (JNPT), FOB. Clearance at destination, inland delivery and booking cut-offs are extra.
- Sources are mixed in date. This is a planning range, not a promise; confirm against the live carrier schedule at booking.
Quality control tolerances
| Check | Tolerance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Plus or minus 5% | Every piece is weighed and checked against the specification. |
| Size | Plus or minus 3% | Every piece is measured against the specification. |
| Skew | Within 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) | Checked on every piece. |
| Colour (lab dip) | Approved before production | Viewed under D65 (daylight), TL84 (store light) and A (incandescent). Lab dips fall inside the 5 to 20 day sampling window. |
Typical specification ranges
| Construction | Attribute | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-knotted | Knot density | About 80 to 250 knots per square inch (mainstream 80 to 200); finer on request | typical |
| Hand-knotted | Pile height | About 6 to 13 mm | typical |
| Hand-tufted | Pile height | About 8 to 15 mm, cut or loop; taller on request | typical |
| Hand-tufted | Weight | Pile about 2 to 2.5 kg per square metre; total about 3.5 to 4.5 kg per square metre at 10 to 12 mm pile | typical |
| All handmade | Sampling | 5 to 20 days | Raheem & Son policy |
| All handmade | Bulk production | 8 to 16 weeks from sample approval | Raheem & Son policy, confirmed on your quote |
Typical ranges, not industry standards; confirmed on your quote. See rug specifications.
Archived with a DOI: Typical specification ranges for handmade rugs (Zenodo, CC BY 4.0).
Standard sizes
| Size | Type | Trade cm | Area (sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 ft | Rectangle | 60 x 90 | 0.56 |
| 3 x 5 ft | Rectangle | 90 x 150 | 1.39 |
| 4 x 6 ft | Rectangle | 120 x 180 | 2.23 |
| 5 x 8 ft | Rectangle | 150 x 240 | 3.72 |
| 6 x 9 ft | Rectangle | 180 x 270 | 5.02 |
| 8 x 10 ft | Rectangle | 240 x 300 | 7.43 |
| 9 x 12 ft | Rectangle | 270 x 360 | 10.03 |
| 10 x 14 ft | Rectangle | 300 x 420 | 13.01 |
| 2.5 x 8 ft runner | Runner | 76 x 244 | 1.86 |
| 2.5 x 10 ft runner | Runner | 76 x 305 | 2.32 |
Our terms
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 1 piece |
| Sampling | 5 to 20 days; sampling cost is credited against the order |
| Bulk production | 8 to 16 weeks; confirmed on your quote |
| Usual shipping term | FOB Nhava Sheva, confirmed on your quote |
| Payment | 50% advance, 50% before dispatch |
| Registration | CEPC (Carpet Export Promotion Council) |
Scoring method used in our Top lists
Each company earns one point for every criterion it states publicly, so the top score is 5. A fact that a company's page does not state scores 0 and is shown as not stated. Companies are ordered by total points. Where totals tie, the company with the earlier stated founding year goes first, and a tie with no year or the same year is ordered alphabetically. Only companies with at least 2 points are listed. Named certifications are counted as written on the company's own page; a trade registration such as CEPC is counted as a registration. Raheem & Son is scored from its own site facts only, in the same way as everyone else, and is included in the lists.
See the comparison pages and editorial policy.
Archived with a DOI: How the Raheem & Son Top-list rankings are scored (Zenodo, CC BY 4.0).
Send your range for a quote
Send your design, size and estimated quantity. We reply within two business days, usually within one. Minimum order: 1 piece. Sampling cost is credited against your order. Payment: 50% advance, 50% before dispatch.
Buyer questions
Rug trade data: your questions
Can I reuse this rug trade data?
Yes, free to use with attribution under CC BY 4.0: cite Raheem & Son, raheemandson.com/rug-trade-data.
How were the container loading figures worked out?
From container volumes and payloads, an assumed rolled thickness per construction and a usable share of 40 to 55 percent of the cube. The method is on the container loading calculator page. Approximate; the exact container plan is confirmed on your quote.
Are these figures industry standards?
No. No binding standard sets them. They are typical or approximate trade ranges, and the quality tolerances are Raheem & Son's own commitments.
How often is the data updated?
It is dated on the page and in the files. Transit ranges were checked on 30 October 2026.
Does the data include prices?
No. Price depends on construction, size, fibre and quantity, and is quoted for your specification.