How do I know something is really handmade?

How Makli checks that the makers on it actually make their own work, what is not allowed, and what to look for on a listing yourself.

Checked against the national sources on 2026-08-05.

How do I know a product is genuinely handmade?

On Makli every maker is reviewed by a person before their shop opens. They apply with sample products and photographs, and they have to show that they make the work themselves. Mass-produced goods, dropshipping and reselling other people’s products are not allowed, and a shop found doing any of them is removed.

What is not allowed on a handmade marketplace?

Factory-made items, dropshipping, reselling goods somebody else made, and products whose materials or production are not disclosed. The test is whether the person selling it made it, not whether it looks handcrafted.

How can I tell for myself that a listing is genuine?

Look for the maker behind the shop rather than the product alone: a named person, where they work, and photographs of the piece rather than a catalogue image. Genuine handmade listings describe natural variation, because no two pieces are identical, and that honesty is hard to fake.

This is a summary, not legal advice. If you are unsure about your situation, check with your national scheme or an advisor.