The Netherlands market for Indian henna powder
EU: cosmetics need an EU Responsible Person, a Product Information File and safety assessment, and CPNP notification before sale (Reg. (EC) 1223/2009). Hair-colour products containing henna must follow the hair-dye rules and labelling.
Indian community in Netherlands (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 234,000 (PIO 178,035 incl. Surinamese-Hindustani community + NRI 55,965).
Henna Powder specification for Netherlands orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Lawsone content | 1.5-3% depending on crop and grade; higher for body-art quality (typical) |
| Fineness | 150-200 mesh; triple-sifted for body art (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 8-10% (typical) |
| Sand / silica | ≤ 2% (typical) |
| Colour | Green to khaki-green powder; dye result orange-red to deep red (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Netherlands requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Netherlands
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Border control & pre-notification | Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE | CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP |
| Notification | DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009) | CPNP notification; EU Responsible Person; PIF; safety assessment |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping henna powder to Netherlands
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Rotterdam: 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days. Cape routing adds ~10 days (US DIA Jun-2024 figure cited on Wikipedia Red Sea crisis page)
Supply window: Indian henna powder is mainly produced or harvested Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows). Allow 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Netherlands customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~14-18 MT in 25 kg bags, 40' HC ~22-25 MT (weight-limited).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Rotterdam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Netherlands
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Port of Amsterdam (Europe #4 by tonnage; cocoa, petroleum); Rotterdam for deep-sea contain | South Asian & Surinamese grocery wholesalers, Air-freight perishables & pharma importers (Schiphol), cocoa/commodity traders |
| Rotterdam | Port of Rotterdam (Europe's largest seaport; Maasvlakte I/II deep-sea container terminals) | South Asian grocery wholesalers (Hindustani-Surinamese community), Freight forwarders/3PLs and bonded-warehouse operators, commodity importers (rice |
| The Hague | Scheveningen (fishing harbour only); Rotterdam for containers (nearby) · Rotterdam The Hag | South Asian grocery & spice wholesalers (largest Hindustani-Surinamese community in NL), HORECA, textile/sari importers |
| Eindhoven | Rotterdam / Antwerp (inland; ~100 km) · Eindhoven (EIN); Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) main int | South Asian grocery importers (large Indian expat engineer community), Electronics & precision-engineering component buyers, IT/engineering services buyers |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import henna powder into Netherlands?
Key requirements: Border control & pre-notification — Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE (CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP); Notification — DG GROW (Reg. 1223/2009) (CPNP notification; EU Responsible Person; PIF; safety assessment). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Netherlands take?
Typically 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Rotterdam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Netherlands have a trade agreement with India?
EU competence — India–EU FTA concluded 27 Jan 2026, not yet in force [S7][S8]; India graduated from EU GSP for 2026–2028 (Reg. (EU) 2025/1909) so MFN duties apply until the FTA enters into force (expected 2027) [06 §C.4] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to henna powder from India?
Usually HS 140490. Netherlands applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What is lawsone and why does it matter?
Lawsone is the dye molecule in henna leaves. A higher lawsone percentage gives a stronger, darker stain.
Do you supply black henna?
No. 'Black henna' usually contains PPD, which causes severe skin reactions and is banned for skin use in many countries. For darker hair shades we supply declared henna-indigo blends.
When is fresh crop available?
Leaves are harvested after the monsoon, so fresh-crop powder is generally available from about October (ASSUMPTION - season varies).
Related guides
Request a quote: henna powder to Netherlands
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