HS Code:
Woven fabrics of combed vicuña hair, containing 85 percent or more by weight of vicuña hair and of a weight exceeding 200 g/m², fall under HS Code 5112.19.95. Vicuña hair is a rare and highly valued fiber sourced from the vicuña, a South American camelid native to the Andean highlands. These fabrics are considered luxury materials due to the rarity of the fiber, the labor-intensive harvesting process (vicuñas can only be shorn every two years), and their exceptional softness and warmth. They are primarily used in high-end fashion and textiles, such as suits, coats, and other premium apparel. The trade of vicuña hair products is tightly regulated under international agreements like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to prevent overexploitation and ensure sustainable practices.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $5 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database and ITC Trade Map
$3.2 million USD
64% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$1.1 million USD
22% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$0.4 million USD
8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$0.2 million USD
4% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$0.1 million USD
2% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
10.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
25% (applied by certain developing countries with protective textile policies)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements or preferential trade schemes like GSP for Andean countries)
Rising demand for sustainable luxury textiles
Increased interest in ethically sourced vicuña products has boosted trade, particularly in Europe and North America, with a focus on transparency in supply chains.
2021-2022
Growth in eco-conscious fashion
Brands emphasizing sustainability are marketing vicuña fabrics as a natural, biodegradable alternative to synthetic luxury materials, driving niche market growth.
2020-2022
Fluctuations in raw material availability
Limited vicuña populations and strict harvesting regulations cause periodic supply shortages, leading to price volatility in the global market.
2019-2022
The Peruvian government introduced stricter export controls on vicuña fiber and products to ensure sustainable harvesting, requiring detailed documentation and limiting export quotas.
March 2023
Short-term reduction in supply may increase prices, but long-term sustainability could enhance market confidence and demand.
The European Union tightened import regulations for vicuña products, mandating additional certifications to verify ethical sourcing and prevent illegal trade.
July 2022
Increased compliance costs for exporters, potentially reducing trade volume to EU markets in the short term.
Several high-end fashion houses have partnered with local Andean communities to promote sustainable vicuña fabric production, enhancing traceability and brand value.
October 2022
Positive impact on trade volumes as these partnerships increase visibility and demand for authentic vicuña products in global markets.