Henna buyers see two shorthand grades everywhere: BAQ (body-art quality) and “regular” or industrial grade. The distinction is real but unregulated, which is exactly why it causes trouble on purchase orders. The short version: BAQ means finer sieving and a strict no-additive standard, regular grades trade on price for less demanding uses, and neither label replaces a written specification. Sojat, where we manufacture, is the trading center of Rajasthani henna, so this is a distinction we handle daily.
What separates the grades
| Attribute | BAQ | Regular / industrial |
|---|---|---|
| Sieve mesh | Fine (specify the mesh number) | Coarser, varies |
| Additives | None, declared on the COA | Should also be none; verify |
| Typical use | Body art, premium hair colour | Hair-colour blends, industrial dye uses |
| Texture in paste | Smooth, no grit | May need re-sieving |
| Price position | Top of the range | Below BAQ |
The three specs that do the work
Sieve mesh. This is most of what “BAQ” means in practice. Agree a mesh number rather than accepting the label; we sieve to the buyer’s specified mesh.
Lawsone. The naturally occurring dye molecule in henna leaf. Higher, well-preserved lawsone means stronger dye release. It varies by crop year and processing, so it belongs on the COA, not in marketing copy.
Additive-free status. Natural henna is a single botanical: dried, ground Lawsonia inermis leaf. No PPD, no metallic salts, no green dye. For EU and US cosmetic buyers this declaration is what your safety assessor will ask for first.
Which should you buy?
Body-art suppliers and premium hair-care brands should specify BAQ with a mesh number. Hair-colour manufacturers blending henna with indigo or amla often run perfectly well on a mid grade, provided the additive-free status holds. Resellers should buy the grade their own customers specify, not the cheapest lot with a promising label.
Specifications for our range are on the henna powder page, the export view is in the henna export guide, and current pricing context is in the henna bulk price guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does BAQ henna actually mean?
Body-art quality: henna powder sieved fine enough for smooth paste and clean dye release, with no additives. It is a trade term rather than a regulated grade, so two suppliers can mean different things by it. Pin it down with a sieve-mesh figure and an additive-free declaration on the COA.
Is regular henna powder lower quality?
Not necessarily; it is a different specification for a different use. Hair-colour blends and industrial applications often use a coarser sieve and accept more stem and leaf variation. It becomes a problem only when a coarser powder is sold at a BAQ description.
How much more does BAQ henna cost?
Finer sieving means more processing and more rejected material, so BAQ prices above regular grades. As of mid-2026 our published henna listings run around Rs 150 to 180 per kg ex-works with grade driving position inside and above that range. Ask for a current quote against your mesh and volume.
Does natural henna contain PPD?
No. Pure Lawsonia inermis is naturally PPD-free. PPD appears in some so-called black henna blends as a synthetic additive. Specify natural henna with an additive-free declaration and verify it on the per-lot documentation.
Specifications vary by crop, season and grade. For current lot specifications, sennosides or lawsone levels, MOQ and pricing to your destination, ask our export desk for a live COA.