What you'll learn
- What "authentic Khewra" means and how to spot the fakes
- HS codes for international customs clearance
- Heavy-metal compliance — EU 2023/915, FDA, SFDA, GACC, MAFF
- Eight grain sizes — which one your application needs
- FCL economics: 20ft vs 40ft, jumbo bags vs PP, retail pouches
- Destination-specific requirements: USA, EU, GCC, China, Japan, Korea, Russia
- 2026 FOB pricing and MOQ
- Authentication: 3 signals that prove your salt is genuinely Khewra
- Vetting a Pakistani Khewra salt exporter — checklist
- Frequently asked questions
What "authentic Khewra" actually means
The product commonly marketed worldwide as "Himalayan pink salt" is, geologically, not from the Himalayas. Despite the marketing name, it's mined at the Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, Pakistan — at the foothills of the Salt Range, approximately 250 km south of the Himalayan range proper. Khewra is the world's second-largest salt mine and the actual commercial source of genuine pink salt.
The confusion in international markets has consequences. Polish "rock salt", Iranian "pink salt", Andean (Peruvian) "pink salt", and Australian "rose salt" are all sometimes sold under the "Himalayan pink salt" label by suppliers either willing to be deceptive or unaware of the geological origin. For international importers, this matters in three ways:
- Customs disputes: EU and US customs increasingly require accurate origin declaration. "Himalayan" without verified Pakistani Khewra origin documentation is at risk of seizure.
- Heavy-metal profile: Khewra has a specific mineral fingerprint (sodium chloride 96-98%, with measurable potassium, magnesium, calcium, and ~84 trace minerals). Polish or Iranian rock salt has different profiles and sometimes higher lead or cadmium contamination.
- Consumer price differentiation: Premium retailers (Whole Foods, Selfridges, Galeries Lafayette, GCC-region gourmet retail) increasingly demand "single-origin Khewra" branding, which commands 30-60% higher consumer prices than generic "pink salt".
"We've started asking every supplier for a Certificate of Origin showing the Khewra district specifically. Three out of seven Polish 'pink salt' offers we received in 2025 quietly admitted their salt was not from Pakistan when we requested verifiable mine documentation." — EU procurement officer, premium retail private-label brand
HS codes for international customs clearance
| HS Code | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2501.00.9100 | Salt fit for human consumption, food-grade, packaged for retail | Retail private-label, gourmet foodservice |
| 2501.00.9990 | Other salt for human consumption (bulk industrial) | Food manufacturers, restaurant chains |
| 2501.00.30 | Industrial / technical salt, not for human consumption | Tanning, water softening, chemical industry |
| 2501.00.20 | Rock salt blocks for animal feed | Cattle salt licks, dairy supplement |
| 2530.10 / 9404.90 | Salt lamps, salt blocks for spa/bath (non-edible) | Decorative salt lamps, bath blocks (non-food channel) |
Note that some destination countries use different national subheadings (e.g., USA HTSUS 2501.00.9100, EU CN code 2501.00.9100, India ITC 2501.00.20, China HS 2501.00.10). Always confirm with your destination customs broker before booking.
Heavy-metal compliance by destination
| Region | Regulation | Lead max | Cadmium max | Arsenic max | Mercury max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 2023/915 (replaces 1881/2006) | 1.5 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg (inorg.) | 0.1 mg/kg |
| USA | FDA action levels (no formal max but Prop 65 in CA) | 0.5 mg/kg practical | 0.5 mg/kg practical | 0.3 mg/kg practical | 0.1 mg/kg practical |
| Saudi Arabia (SFDA) | SFDA-TR-0002 | 2.0 mg/kg | 1.0 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg |
| UAE (ESMA) | UAE.S/GSO 23:2014 | 2.0 mg/kg | 1.0 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg |
| China (GACC) | GB 2762-2022 | 1.0 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg |
| Japan (MAFF) | Food Sanitation Law | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg |
| Russia (EAC) | TR CU 021/2011 | 2.0 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 1.0 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/kg |
Authentic Khewra pink salt typically tests Pb 0.15-0.45 mg/kg, Cd < 0.05 mg/kg, As 0.10-0.25 mg/kg, Hg < 0.01 mg/kg — well within all destination limits including the strict Japanese standard. Our every-shipment lab COA (issued by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek partner labs on request) documents these for customs clearance.
EU 2023/915 update: Effective May 2023, EU tightened cadmium and lead limits for several food categories. Some Polish and Iranian "Himalayan" salt has been recalled for exceeding the new cadmium limit. Always require a recent (less than 6 months old) accredited-lab heavy-metal screen on any pink salt you import to EU markets.
Eight grain sizes — match grade to application
| Grade | Grain size | Application | Typical retail price (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra-fine | 0.2-0.5 mm | Table salt, salt shaker, processed food blends | USD 4-8 (retail 250g) |
| Fine | 0.5-1.0 mm | Cooking + baking, retail shakers | USD 5-9 |
| Medium | 1.0-2.0 mm | Grinder refills, finishing salt | USD 6-11 |
| Coarse | 2.0-4.0 mm | Salt mills, finishing salt, brining | USD 7-13 |
| Granules | 4.0-8.0 mm | Bath salts, spa applications, foodservice grinders | USD 8-14 |
| Rock chunks | 8.0 mm+ | Decorative grinder retail packs, salt mill source | USD 9-16 |
| Lamp blocks | 2-30 kg carved | Decorative salt lamps (USB / electric) | USD 12-40/kg finished |
| Bath blocks | 3-10 kg slabs | Spa/bath applications, sauna stones | USD 8-15/kg |
For first-time importers, the most common starter SKU mix is fine (40%) + medium (30%) + coarse (20%) + granules (10%) in a single 22-25 MT FCL, providing flexibility to test multiple consumer SKUs at retail.
FCL economics for Khewra pink salt
Khewra pink salt is dense (~1,200 kg/m³). A 20ft FCL container holds 22-26 MT depending on packaging:
| Packaging | 20ft FCL load | 40ft HC FCL load |
|---|---|---|
| 25 kg PP woven bags | 22-26 MT (880-1,040 bags) | 24-26 MT (volume-limited) |
| 1 MT jumbo bags (FIBC) | 22-26 MT (22-26 bags) | 24-26 MT |
| 1 kg retail pouches (BOPP) | 18-22 MT (depends on case-pack) | 22-25 MT |
| Mixed (PP + retail pouches) | 20-23 MT | 23-25 MT |
For most international importers, 20ft FCL is the smart entry point — lower working capital lock, faster first-shipment turnaround, and easier resale in mid-sized national markets. Move to 40ft HC FCL once you've validated your retail or foodservice distribution.
Destination-specific requirements
USA
- Customs: HTSUS 2501.00.9100 for food-grade. Lamp blocks 9405.41.7000 (carved decorative).
- Required filings: FDA Prior Notice (we file at booking). FCC for any USB/electric lamp components.
- California Prop 65: If selling in California, lead test results must be available for any product positioning.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → US East Coast 28-35 days; US West Coast (via Singapore/HK) 21-26 days.
- Typical buyer profile: Spice importers, gourmet retail brands (Whole Foods supply chain), salt-lamp retailers (Amazon FBA wholesalers), specialty foodservice distributors.
EU (Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain)
- Customs: CN 2501.00.9100.
- Required filings: TRACES NT entry document, EU heavy-metal compliance to 2023/915.
- Organic certification: EU Organic / Bio (DE-ÖKO / FR-BIO etc.) requires accredited certification — we coordinate with our certified organic partner farms.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Rotterdam/Hamburg 18-22 days.
- Typical buyer profile: Premium retail brands (Edeka, REWE, Carrefour gourmet line), bath/spa wholesalers, gourmet foodservice distributors.
GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain)
- Customs: Same HS 2501.00.9100 (GCC harmonized tariff).
- Required filings: SASO Saber (KSA), ESMA conformity (UAE), Halal certificate.
- Halal: Khewra salt is intrinsically halal (mineral product). PHA + JAKIM cert recognized across GCC.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Jebel Ali 3-5 days, Jeddah 5-7 days, Dammam 4-6 days.
- Typical buyer profile: Halal food manufacturers, Islamic-style spa/wellness retailers, Saudi + UAE supermarket chain private-label.
China
- Customs: HS 2501.00.10 (national subheading).
- Required filings: GACC registration of exporter (we are registered), CIQ inspection at port of entry, GB 2762-2022 heavy-metal compliance.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Shanghai 14-18 days, Guangzhou 15-19 days.
- Typical buyer profile: TCM houses (mineral-product channel), gourmet retail (盐城 / Yancheng-style local pink salt brands), bath/spa wholesalers, JD.com / Tmall salt-lamp resellers.
Japan
- Customs: HS 2501.00.000.
- Required filings: MAFF import inspection, Food Sanitation Law compliance — JAPAN HAS THE STRICTEST cadmium limit (0.1 mg/kg). Authentic Khewra reliably passes this; some other pink salts don't.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Tokyo/Yokohama 22-27 days.
- Typical buyer profile: Premium gourmet brands (specialty department-store basement food halls), bath/onsen wholesalers, organic retail.
South Korea
- Customs: HS 2501.0000.
- Required filings: KFDA (now MFDS) registration of food product, K-Food Trust mark optional.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Busan 18-23 days.
- Typical buyer profile: Gourmet food retail (Hyundai/Shinsegae food halls), K-beauty bath/spa brands, salt-lamp specialty retailers.
Russia + EAEU (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan)
- Customs: TN VED 2501 0091.
- Required filings: EAC declaration of conformity (TR CU 021/2011), accredited Russian-lab heavy-metal report.
- Lead time: Sea Karachi → Novorossiysk 18-22 days (Black Sea); rail option via Iran adds 4-7 days but bypasses Suez tariffs.
- Typical buyer profile: Salt-lamp retailers (massive Russian-language Amazon equivalent Wildberries channel), gourmet retail (V Prok / Azbuka Vkusa), bath/spa.
2026 FOB pricing and MOQ
| Grade | FOB Karachi (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-fine bulk | 180-250 | For retail private-label |
| Fine bulk | 170-230 | Most common commercial grade |
| Medium bulk | 165-220 | Grinder refills |
| Coarse bulk | 160-215 | Premium gourmet finishing |
| Granules (bath / spa) | 180-260 | Spa/wellness applications |
| Rock chunks (decorative) | 200-310 | Retail grinder packs |
| Lamp blocks (carved) | 500-1,500 (depends on craft) | Hand-carved decorative |
| Bath blocks (slabs) | 350-650 | Sauna / spa application |
MOQ: 1 MT for first-time buyers, 200 kg minimum per SKU when shipping mixed-product containers totaling 12+ MT.
Authentication: 3 signals that prove your salt is genuinely Khewra
- Certificate of Origin documentation: Pakistan Chamber of Commerce / TDAP Certificate of Origin should specifically state Khewra district (Punjab, Jhelum district). A generic "Pakistan" origin is not enough — confirm Khewra specifically.
- Mineral fingerprint lab COA: Authentic Khewra has a sodium chloride content of 96-98%, with specific trace minerals including potassium (10-100 mg/kg), magnesium (20-200 mg/kg), calcium (50-800 mg/kg), and iron (10-50 mg/kg) producing the pink color. Polish salt has a different mineral profile (often higher calcium sulfate). Iranian salt has typically higher chloride and lower trace minerals.
- Mine-source documentation: Photo or video walkthrough of mining operations available on request. The Khewra Salt Mine is operated by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), and authorized exporters can provide verification of source.
Vetting a Pakistani Khewra salt exporter — buyer's checklist
- Verify NTN (Pakistani tax ID) and TDAP exporter registration
- Confirm Certificate of Origin will specify Khewra district, not just "Pakistan"
- Request a recent heavy-metal screen lab COA — must include Pb, Cd, Hg, As at minimum
- Verify halal certification chain (PHA + JAKIM) for GCC + Indonesia + Malaysia markets
- Confirm exporter handles destination customs filings (FDA Prior Notice, TRACES NT, etc.) for your country
- Ask for 2-3 reference clients in your region
- Confirm the exporter offers third-party pre-shipment inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) at buyer cost
- Inspect the loading facility virtually via video walkthrough before first FCL
- Confirm packaging customization options for your retail SKUs
- Verify B2B marketplace presence (Alibaba Gold Supplier, IndiaMART) for digital credibility
- Confirm export experience — at least 5 years, ideally 15+ year track record
- Check Wikipedia / Pakistani trade publications for any mentions of the company
Import authentic Khewra pink salt with confidence
Kohenoor International (since 1957) has been exporting Pakistani agricultural products and Khewra salt to buyers in 40+ countries. Per-shipment Certificate of Origin specifies Khewra district. EU 2023/915, FDA, SFDA, MAFF compliance documentation included. 4-hour quote turnaround during Pakistan business hours.
Request a Quote Pink Salt Product PageFrequently asked questions
What is authentic Khewra pink salt and how is it different from generic "Himalayan" pink salt?
Authentic Khewra is mined ONLY from the Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, Pakistan. Despite the name, Khewra is in the foothills of the Salt Range, not the Himalayas. Some suppliers falsely label Polish, Iranian, or Andean pink salt as "Himalayan" — only salt mined at Khewra is genuinely from the original source.
What HS code applies for international import?
HS 2501.00.91 (food-grade), 2501.00.30 (technical/industrial), 2501.00.20 (rock salt blocks). Most importers use 2501.00.91 for retail-ready pink salt.
What heavy-metal limits apply for EU import?
EU Regulation 2023/915: Pb 1.5 mg/kg, Cd 0.5 mg/kg, As 0.5 mg/kg (inorganic), Hg 0.1 mg/kg. Authentic Khewra tests well within these limits — our every-shipment lab COA confirms compliance.
What grain sizes are available?
Extra-fine (0.2-0.5mm), fine (0.5-1.0mm), medium (1.0-2.0mm), coarse (2.0-4.0mm), granules (4.0-8.0mm), rock chunks (8.0mm+), lamp blocks (carved 2-30 kg), bath blocks (3-10 kg slabs).
What are FCL economics?
Khewra packs at ~1,200 kg/m³. 20ft FCL holds 22-26 MT. 40ft HC holds 24-26 MT (volume-limited). 1 MT jumbo bags or 25 kg PP woven bags are most common.
Can I import to USA?
Yes. HTSUS 2501.00.9100. FDA Prior Notice required (we file). Sea transit 21-26 days West Coast, 28-35 days East Coast.
How do I authenticate genuine Khewra origin?
Three signals: (1) Certificate of Origin specifying Khewra district, (2) lab COA with mineral fingerprint consistent with Khewra mine (96-98% NaCl + specific trace minerals), (3) photo/video documentation of mining operations available on request.
What about FOB pricing in 2026?
Indicative: extra-fine USD 180-250/MT, fine 170-230, medium 165-220, coarse 160-215, lamp blocks 500-1,500/MT depending on craft, bath blocks 350-650/MT.
What's the lead time from PO to delivered?
Production: 14-18 working days from PO to container loading. Sea transit varies: Jebel Ali 3-5 days, Rotterdam 18-22 days, US East Coast 28-35 days, Shanghai 14-18 days, Tokyo 22-27 days.
Can I private-label retail pouches?
Yes. 1 kg, 250g, 100g retail pouches with your brand. MOQ for private-label production: 5 MT. Artwork-to-production lead time: 14-21 days after design approval.
Further reading
- Himalayan / Khewra Pink Salt — product page
- Khewra pink salt mineral facts
- Khewra salt mine origin guide
- Khewra vs Polish vs Iranian pink salt — detailed comparison
- USA Khewra salt importer guide
- Germany pink salt importer guide
- China pink salt importer guide
- Pakistani Fenugreek Buyer's Guide 2026
- Pakistani vs Iranian vs Egyptian Cumin Buyer's Guide