Key facts
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana.
- Market guides for 24 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, Halal certificate, India Organic (NPOP), Geographical Indication (GI).
- Typical minimum order: 1 MT for bulk powder; 5,000-10,000 retail packs for private label (typical).
Product overview
Most of India's henna comes from the Pali district of Rajasthan, centred on Sojat, which holds the 'Sojat Mehndi' GI tag (per our cluster research, not re-verified). Leaves are harvested after the monsoon, dried, crushed and sifted into powders of different fineness.
Buyers range from hair-colour brands and salons to body-art suppliers and re-packers in the Gulf, Africa, Europe and North America. Quality is judged by lawsone content (the dye molecule), how fine the powder is sifted, and freedom from sand and adulterants.
Pure henna dyes orange-red. 'Black henna' made with para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a different and often illegal product. We supply natural henna and declared herbal blends only.
HS note: India's ITC(HS) has a specific 8-digit line for henna leaves and powder under 1404.90. Henna-based hair-dye preparations go under 3305.90.
Specifications
| 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) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Body art quality (BAQ)
Fresh crop, high lawsone, triple-sifted, for mehndi cones and skin art.
Hair henna
Standard natural henna for hair colouring.
Herbal blends
Henna with amla, indigo (for brown/black shades) or other declared herbs - no PPD.
Mehndi cones
Ready-to-use paste cones (natural formulation, short shelf life unless frozen).
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg multiwall paper or HDPE bags with liner | — |
| Retail | 100 g, 200 g, 500 g pouches/boxes, private label | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~14-18 MT in 25 kg bags · 40' HC ~22-25 MT (weight-limited). Dense powder; FCL usually weight-limited
Customisation: Retail packs, herbal blends, cone filling, buyer-specified lawsone minimum
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Rajasthan
Pali
Sojat Mehndi GI (2021, per research; not re-verified)
Market requirements by region
European Union
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.
United States & Canada
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.
United Kingdom
Retail henna is a cosmetic under UK cosmetics rules (UK Responsible Person, SCPN notification).
Gulf (GCC)
Large market for bridal and hair henna; retail packs need GSO 1943 cosmetic labelling and Saudi SFDA cosmetic notification.
Africa
Strong demand in North and East Africa through re-packers; Nigeria requires NAFDAC registration for retail cosmetic packs.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Lawsone content test per lot
- • PPD-free certificate by lab test
- • Sieve analysis and moisture check
- • Pre-shipment inspection on request
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • Halal certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • Geographical Indication (GI)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis (lawsone, moisture, PPD-free)
- • Phytosanitary certificate where required
- • Safety data sheet
- • Product information file inputs for cosmetic buyers
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
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).
Can you pack under my brand?
Yes. Pouches and boxes of 100-500 g with your artwork, subject to the cosmetic labelling rules of your market.
Is the powder tested for PPD?
Yes, each lot can be lab-tested and certified PPD-free.
Request a quote for Henna Powder (Natural Mehndi)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
