The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a major amendment to its export policy concerning raw human hair, aimed at tightening controls and ensuring fair trade practices.
As per the latest notification, the export of raw, unworked human hair—whether washed or not—has been shifted from the “Restricted” category to “Prohibited.”
However, to support legitimate high-value trade, the government has introduced a conditional exemption: if the Free on Board (FOB) value of the consignment is USD 65 or more per kilogram, the export will be considered “Free,” meaning it can proceed without special permissions.
This revised policy, which takes immediate effect, targets rampant undervaluation and unauthorized exports in the human hair trade, a commodity with significant global demand, particularly in the beauty and fashion industries.
By setting a minimum value threshold for free exports, the government aims to deter fraudulent practices such as under-invoicing, which has been a persistent issue in the sector.
The policy change is expected to enhance transparency, promote genuine trade, and safeguard domestic interests by preventing the outflow of valuable raw material at suppressed prices.
Notification Details
Notification No. 59/2024-25
Date: 10th February, 2025
