Henna
Henna is the dried, milled leaf of Lawsonia inermis, a flowering shrub grown across the arid and semi-arid tropics. The leaf carries lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), a natural dye molecule that binds to keratin and stains skin, hair and fingernails a reddish-brown. Leaves are harvested, sun-dried, milled to a fine powder and sieved before sale. It is used as a hair-dye and cosmetic colorant, as a body-art (mehndi) pigment, and in traditional topical preparations.
Listed henna markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Henna is graded on the lawsone (dye) content of the powder measured by HPLC or validated UV-Vis spectrophotometry, on particle size/mesh after sieving, on moisture content, on a screen for para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and other synthetic dyes sometimes blended in to darken or accelerate the stain, and on pesticide residue and microbial load.
Lawsone (dye) content
2 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| AssayedLawsone content confirmed by independent laboratory assay | Reported as a stated percentage by mass on a passed lab report; commercial listings commonly advertise a 1.5 to 2.5 percent threshold as marketing language, but published peer-reviewed assays of commercial samples have found actual lawsone content ranging far below that, so the figure only carries commercial weight once independently tested. |
| UnassayedNo independent lawsone assay on file | Trades at a discount to an assayed lot, or not at all against a buyer who requires a passed lab report. |
Particle size / mesh
1 grade
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| SievedPowder passed through a stated mesh with documented particle-size distribution | Mesh size and distribution stated on the contract; finer, more uniform mesh is generally preferred for cosmetic and hair-dye formulation. |
Adulteration screen
2 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| PPD-freeNo detectable para-phenylenediamine or other synthetic dye | Passes the chromatographic screen at the testing laboratory's stated detection limit. |
| PPD-positiveSynthetic dye detected | Rejected as an adulterated lot; not offered to a cosmetic-ingredient or hair-dye buyer. |
Moisture and microbial load
1 grade
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dry, soundMoisture held low enough to prevent microbial growth in storage and transit | Buyer sets the contract moisture ceiling and microbial-load limit. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| India | South Asia | Origin |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the leaf is picked at origin and processed into washed, sun-dried, milled and sieved powder. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market, after inspection and ocean or air freight.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Harvest Mar to Nov, arrival May to JanThe Sojat/Pali belt of Rajasthan, India's dominant henna-processing hub, harvests in multiple flushes across the year, most commonly cited as March-April and October-November, with some growers running a third cut. Washing, sun-drying, milling and sieving follow immediately at origin, then inland transport to a west-coast port and onward ocean or air freight. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Common questions
What grades of henna does SIP Global trade?
We quote 6 published grades of henna, including Assayed - Lawsone content confirmed by independent laboratory assay, Unassayed - No independent lawsone assay on file, Sieved - Powder passed through a stated mesh with documented particle-size distribution, PPD-free - No detectable para-phenylenediamine or other synthetic dye, PPD-positive - Synthetic dye detected and Dry, sound - Moisture held low enough to prevent microbial growth in storage and transit. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is henna graded?
Henna is graded on the lawsone (dye) content of the powder measured by HPLC or validated UV-Vis spectrophotometry, on particle size/mesh after sieving, on moisture content, on a screen for para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and other synthetic dyes sometimes blended in to darken or accelerate the stain, and on pesticide residue and microbial load. Grading runs on 4 systems: Lawsone (dye) content, Particle size / mesh, Adulteration screen and Moisture and microbial load.
Where does SIP Global trade henna?
We trade henna in India, United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom and Netherlands. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is henna harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are India: harvest mar to nov, arrival may to jan. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
How do I get a price for henna?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed henna market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.