The United States market for Indian henna powder
In the US, henna is an approved colour additive for hair only, not for direct skin application (21 CFR 73.2190); body-art products sold for skin are at regulatory risk. Retail packs also fall under MoCRA.
Indian community in United States (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 6,079,221 overseas Indians (PIO 3,767,737 + NRI 2,311,484) — largest PIO population worldwide.
Henna Powder specification for United States 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 United States requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in United States
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Import permit / phytosanitary | USDA APHIS | APHIS permit (where required); PSC; ACIR tool; ISPM-15 WPM |
| MoCRA compliance | FDA | Facility registration (biennial); product listing; adverse event reporting (15 business days); safety substantiation |
| Lacey Act | USDA APHIS / CBP | Lacey Act plant product declaration |
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 United States
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → New York / New Jersey: 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days. India-USEC services route via Suez/Med when open; FDA prior notice >=8h before arrival by sea
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 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and United States 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 New York / New Jersey is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in United States
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Port of New York and New Jersey (Newark/Elizabeth, Staten Island, Red Hook) · John F. Kenn | Indian diaspora grocery & spice distributors, apparel/home-textile importers, gems & jewellery traders |
| Los Angeles | Port of Los Angeles / Port of Long Beach (San Pedro Bay) - largest US container gateway · | e-commerce 3PLs, apparel & home-textile importers (LA Fashion District), Indian diaspora grocers (Artesia) |
| Chicago | inland; rail from LA/Long Beach, NY/NJ, Savannah; Great Lakes port (Illinois International | Indian diaspora grocery distributors (Devon Ave), food & commodity traders, engineering/machinery & auto-component buyers |
| Houston | Port Houston (Bayport & Barbours Cut container terminals) · George Bush Intercontinental ( | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurants, oilfield & engineering goods buyers (pipes, valves |
| Seattle | Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle & Tacoma) · Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) | e-commerce sellers/3PLs, aerospace & engineering-component buyers, Indian diaspora grocers (Bellevue/Redmond/Kent) |
| Atlanta | Savannah (Georgia Ports Authority), inland ~400 km · Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internatio | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurant supply (large Gujarati community), engineering goods for Southeast distribution, home-textile/carpet trade |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import henna powder into United States?
Key requirements: Import permit / phytosanitary — USDA APHIS (APHIS permit (where required); PSC; ACIR tool; ISPM-15 WPM); MoCRA compliance — FDA (Facility registration (biennial); product listing; adverse event reporting (15 business days); safety substantiation); Lacey Act — USDA APHIS / CBP (Lacey Act plant product declaration). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to United States take?
Typically 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to New York / New Jersey, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United States have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA; BTA under negotiation (talks 1–4 Jun 2026) [S7]. Tariff on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026: MFN + 10% Section 301 (from 24 Jul 2026), or the Section 232 rate for steel/aluminium/autos/copper; IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court 20 Feb 2026 — verify weekly [06 §C.3] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to henna powder from India?
Usually HS 140490. United States 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 United States
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in United States. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.