The Export Product Nobody Talks About
When you think about things that Pakistan exports you probably think of things like textiles, rice, leather, surgical instruments and sports goods.. People rarely talk about human hair. However this product has become a big deal in the global market and Pakistan plays a small part in supplying it. The human hair business is actually a multi-billion-dollar industry and Pakistan has a active role in the human hair export business.
This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the human hair export business from Pakistan. We will look at the numbers, who buys the hair how the human hair is sourced and how you can get into the human hair export business. The human hair export business is a niche market. It is also very profitable.
Just How Big Is the Human Hair Export Market?
It is easy to think that the human hair export business is not very big.. In just one month April 2024 Pakistan exported human hair worth about PKR 9.65 crore, which is 96.5 million rupees. This is a lot of money especially when you consider that it comes from a product that most people throw away. The human hair export market is really big. Pakistan is a part of it.
What is more interesting is that the human hair export business is growing. When you look at the numbers from month to month you can see that the human hair export business is getting bigger and bigger. The human hair export category is consistently growing, with an increase of 5% or more each month. This is a sign, for anyone who wants to get into the human hair export business because it means that the human hair export market is likely to keep growing in the long term.
What Is the HS Code for Human Hair Exports?
For anyone about entering this trade understanding the correct HS (Harmonized System) code is essential for customs clearance and export documentation.
- HS Code: 0501.00.00
- Product description used in shipments: Typically listed as ” hair” or “human hair waste”
These two classifications cover the bulk of whats declared under this category when goods leave Pakistani ports.
Which Countries Import Human Hair from Pakistan?
Pakistans human hair exports reach a wide set of international markets. Based on trade data the main destination countries include:
- United Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia
- Hong Kong
- China
- Netherlands
- Malaysia
- Bangladesh
Among these Germany stands out as the single largest importer of human hair originating from Pakistan. Other consistent buyers include Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar all of which import volumes, on a recurring basis.
Human Hair Business: Why You Should Think About It
One of the things about the human hair business is the money you can make from it. People who sell hair can really earn a lot of money. Their profit margin can be 200% to 300%.
There are an other good things about this business:
- The whole world is interested in hair
- Not many people in Pakistan are selling hair so you will not have a lot of competition
This is a combination: you can make a lot of money and there are not many other people doing it. A lot of people throw away hair but it is actually very valuable. It is used to make products that are worth billions of dollars.
What Do People Use Human Hair For?
You might wonder why people want to buy hair. The answer is that human hair is used for a lot of things:
- Wigs. People who are losing their hair or are bald use them
- Hair Extensions. A lot of people want to make their hair look longer or thicker so they use hair extensions
- Toys. Human hair is used to make some dolls and toys
- Things. Human hair is also used to make some medical products
Human hair is used for all these things so the demand for human hair is getting bigger and bigger. The human hair business is an one to think about because people all, over the world want to buy human hair.
Types of Human Hair in the International Market
Not all hair is the same and buyers in the international market are specific about the type and texture they need. The main categories include:
- Straight Hair – straight strands with no wave or curl.
- Body Wave Hair – Hair with a natural wave pattern.
- Natural Wave Hair – Hair with a natural fluff and slight bend.
- Deep Wave Hair – Hair with a pronounced deeper wave pattern.
- Curly Hair – curly strands.
- Coily Hair – The curl pattern, commonly associated with hair types found among South African populations.
Each of these types serves markets and price points so understanding buyer preferences is key to successful exporting.
Who Are the Top Competitors in the Global Human Hair Trade?
Pakistans role in this industry while growing is still relatively small compared to the global players. Here’s how the competitive landscape breaks down:
- Hong Kong – The worlds number one exporter of hair controlling roughly 40% of the global export market.
- India – The largest exporter, benefiting from a unique sourcing advantage: hair donated at temples as a religious offering, which provides a steady large-scale and low-cost supply chain.
- Myanmar – Interestingly Myanmar often imports hair from countries like Pakistan and then re-exports it at a value acting as a processing and re-distribution hub.
- Singapore and China – Both are also significant exporters supplying the global market.
Pakistans export volume remains comparatively small next to these established players, which. Depending on how you look at it. Represents either competition or a wide-open opportunity, for new entrants.
How to Source Human Hair in Pakistan
This is where the business gets really interesting for anyone who wants to get into the trade. In India people donate their hair to temples. There is a lot of hair available in one place.. Pakistan does not have a system like that. So you have to put in effort to find the hair you need.
There are a common ways to get human hair in Pakistan. These include:
- Beauty Salons and Parlors. These are places to get hair because they cut hair and often throw it away. You can collect it directly from them.
- Household Collection. Some women collect their hair when it falls out. This can be a source of hair too.
- Waste Collectors or Junk Dealers. These people buy things and scraps. They also. Sell hair that people throw away.
- Street-Level Collectors. In some areas there are people who go from door to door collecting hair like they do with things that can be recycled.
If you are serious about getting into this business the first thing you should do is find wig makers or hair processing units near you. Then you can work backwards to find a way to get hair in your area.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try This Export Business?
The human hair export business is an example of how things that people throw away can become very valuable. Human hair export is a business that is growing every month. The profit margins are very high 200 to 300 percent. There is not a lot of competition in Pakistan and many international buyers want to buy hair.
So it is worth thinking about if you want to export something that’s not common. The hard part is finding a way to get hair and building relationships with buyers in other countries. You do not need to invest a lot of money to get started.
To be successful you need to make sure the hair is quality. You need to know what the buyers want like what type of hair how long and what texture. You also need to build a local supply chain.. If you are willing to put in the work the human hair export business in Pakistan is a great opportunity that not many people know about. Human hair export, in Pakistan is a business that can be very profitable if you do it right.
