The Saudi Arabia market for Indian henna powder
Large market for bridal and hair henna; retail packs need GSO 1943 cosmetic labelling and Saudi SFDA cosmetic notification.
Indian community in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,750,551 (NRI 2,747,551 + PIO 3,000) — largest NRI population worldwide.
Henna Powder specification for Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Saudi Arabia
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | SFDA | Ghad (ex-eCosma) cosmetic notification; GSO 1943 labels |
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 Saudi Arabia
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Dammam: 6-10 days. Often via Jebel Ali transhipment; FASAH/SABER docs must be in place before arrival
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 6-10 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Saudi Arabia 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 Dammam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Saudi Arabia
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Inland; King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (east) / Jeddah Islamic Port (west); Riyadh Dry Port ra | Indian/South Asian grocery chains, government & mega-project contractors (construction materials, steel |
| Mecca | Inland (~80 km); Jeddah Islamic Port · King Abdulaziz International Jeddah (JED) | dates/food retail, pilgrim hotels & catering (rice, pulses |
| Dammam | King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Arabian Gulf; largest Saudi Gulf-coast port) · King Fahd Inte | Indian grocery/food distributors, oil & gas contractors (industrial supplies, valves |
| Khobar | King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (adjacent) · King Fahd International Dammam (DMM) | expatriate retail & HORECA, Indian grocery, Aramco-contractor supply |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import henna powder into Saudi Arabia?
Key requirements: Notification — SFDA (Ghad (ex-eCosma) cosmetic notification; GSO 1943 labels). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Saudi Arabia take?
Typically 6-10 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dammam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Saudi Arabia have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA. India–GCC FTA: terms of reference finalised, negotiations ongoing [S7]. Saudi applies GCC common external tariff (5% most goods) A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to henna powder from India?
Usually HS 140490. Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Saudi Arabia. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.