Horn buttons are made from the horn of domestic water buffalo, a by-product of the meat industry, and are prized by fashion brands for natural colour and grain that no two buttons share. Uttar Pradesh is the centre of India's horn and bone craft, and its workshops supply coats, jackets, shirts and knitwear makers around the world.
To export horn buttons from India, get an IEC and GST registration with an LUT, and an RCMC from EPCH, the handicrafts export council that covers horn and bone products. Horn buttons are classified under HS code 9606 29 (buttons of other materials). Agree size in lignes, holes or shank, finish and colour with the buyer, approve a sample card, and state the species (domestic water buffalo) on your invoice.
Registrations you need
- IEC, GST and LUT: the basic set for any exporter. See the IEC guide and the LUT guide.
- RCMC from EPCH: the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts covers horn and bone products, and its RCMC is needed for export incentives and trade fairs. See the RCMC guide.
- MSME (Udyam): useful for bank credit and government schemes.
HS code and species declaration
Buttons fall under heading 9606. Plastic buttons are 9606 21 and base metal buttons 9606 22, so horn buttons go under 9606 29 (other buttons). Button blanks and parts are 9606 30. Confirm the eight-digit code for your product with your customs broker.
Domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is not covered by CITES, so finished buttons from its horn do not need a CITES permit. Some wild buffalo species are listed, which is why buyers and customs officers sometimes ask what animal the horn came from. Write "buttons made of domestic water buffalo horn" on the invoice and packing list to avoid delays.
Sizes, finishes and quality
Button sizes are given in lignes (L): one ligne is 0.635 mm, so 24L is about 15 mm and 32L about 20 mm. Shirts use small sizes, jackets and coats larger ones. Specify two-hole, four-hole or shank, the rim shape and the thickness.
- Finish: high polish, matt, or brushed; light, dark or mixed natural colours; dyed shades on request.
- Branding: laser-engraved logos are common for brand orders.
- Checks: no cracks, clean drilled holes with smooth edges, consistent thickness, and wash tests, since some garments are washed or dry-cleaned with buttons attached.
Natural variation is part of the appeal, but agree a colour range on a sample card so the buyer knows what to expect.
Packing, pricing and payment
Horn buttons are light and valuable, so most orders ship by air or courier, and full containers are rare. Pack by size and colour in poly bags of one gross (144 pieces) or 1,000 pieces, labelled with article number, size and colour, inside export cartons. Quote per gross or per 1,000 pieces, with minimum order quantities per design. For new buyers, take an advance or part advance. See the payment terms guide.
Where to find horn button buyers
Two kinds of buyers order horn buttons: garment factories in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey and China that make clothes for international brands, and brands, designers and button distributors in Europe, the UK, the USA and Japan. Requirements on BuyGenix have come from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA, among others. See live horn button requirements. Each requirement goes to at most 5 suppliers, which gives you a real chance to be heard.
Garment factories decide on price, lead time and a reliable sample card; brands decide on finish, consistency and logo work. Keep a catalogue of your sizes and finishes ready to send.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for horn buttons?
Horn buttons are classified under HS code 9606 29, buttons of materials other than plastics and base metal. Button blanks fall under 9606 30.
Do horn buttons need a CITES permit?
Not when they are made from domestic water buffalo horn, which is not covered by CITES. State the species on the invoice, because some wild buffalo species are listed.
Which export council covers horn buttons?
EPCH, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, covers horn and bone products and issues the RCMC.
How are horn button sizes measured?
In lignes. One ligne is 0.635 mm, so a 24L button is about 15 mm across.
Who buys horn buttons?
Garment factories in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey and China, and fashion brands, designers and distributors in Europe, the UK, the USA and Japan.
Need IEC or an EPCH RCMC?
Our team handles IEC, GST, LUT and RCMC registration for button and handicraft exporters.
See registration services →Looking for buyers for your products?
See live requirements from importers and bulk buyers in India and abroad: what they want, how much, and where. Contact them directly with a BuyGenix membership.
