Buy Namibian devil's claw from permitted exporters
Namibia supplies most of the devil's claw traded in the world: the secondary tubers of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri, sliced and sun-dried by rural harvesters and sold to herbal medicine and supplement makers in Europe, North America and Asia. Every kilogram needs a harvesting permit and an export permit. We register Namibia's exporters, so we know who holds them, and we source for buyers at 4% of the FOB value.
What Namibia supplies
| Species | Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri; state the species you need, because some buyers and pharmacopoeia monographs accept both and some only one |
|---|---|
| Harvest season | The dry months, roughly March to October; harvesting is closed in the rainy season to let plants recover, so contract volumes for the year by the middle of the season |
| Form | Sun-dried secondary tuber slices (cut and sifted on request), and powder from a few processors |
| Volumes | National exports run to several hundred tonnes of dried slices a year; single exporters ship from a few tonnes to container loads |
| Packaging | 25 kg or 50 kg woven polypropylene or jute bags, lined on request, palletised |
| Shipping | Sea freight from Walvis Bay as LCL or a 20-foot container; air freight from Windhoek for samples and urgent lots |
| Certification | EU organic and fair-trade lots from certified harvester groups; laboratory reports for harpagoside, moisture, microbiology, aflatoxins and pesticides |
| Lead time | Two to six weeks from contract, longer at the start of the season while the first harvest is dried and tested |
Specifications to write into the contract
- Species stated on the contract and the certificate of analysis: procumbens, zeyheri, or either
- Harpagoside content to your monograph; the European Pharmacopoeia sets a minimum of 1.2% for devil's claw root
- Moisture low enough for storage, typically around 10% or less, with no mould on arrival
- Microbiology, aflatoxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues tested to EU limits, by an accredited laboratory
- Harvesting and export permits from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, with the permit numbers on the invoice
- Phytosanitary certificate where your country requires one for dried plant material
- Organic certificate and transaction certificate for organic lots; fair-trade documentation where you sell it as such
How the price is formed
Price is quoted per kilogram FOB Walvis Bay and depends on species, harpagoside content, cut, certification (organic and fair-trade lots carry a premium) and the point in the season. Prices move with each year's harvest and rainfall, so we quote current figures with each enquiry. Namibian devil's claw enters the EU and UK duty-free with an origin declaration under the Economic Partnership Agreements.
What we verify before you pay
- The exporter's registration and a customs code on a previous export declaration
- Harvesting and export permits from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism for the exact lot and quantity
- Organic and fair-trade certificates checked with the certifier on the day of contract
- An accredited laboratory report on a sample drawn from the lot, not a previous year's report
- Weights, moisture and bag condition at loading, with photographs, before the balance is paid
How sourcing through Chrimson works
Send the specification, volume, Incoterm and timing. We match verified Namibian suppliers, share documented offers, and run the export paperwork for every consignment. Our fee is 4% of the FOB shipment value, invoiced when the export documents are handed over. Send a buyer enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Is devil's claw CITES-listed?
No, it is not on the CITES appendices. It is a protected plant in Namibia, so harvesting, transport and export each need a permit from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. We check those permits against the lot before you pay.
Can I buy organic devil's claw from Namibia?
Yes. Several harvester groups and exporters hold EU organic certification, and some sell under fair-trade schemes that pay harvesters a premium. We check the certificate with the certifier and make sure a transaction certificate is issued for your lot.
What harpagoside content can I expect?
Good lots meet the European Pharmacopoeia minimum of 1.2% and many test higher. Content varies by species, harvest area and drying, which is why we test a sample from your lot rather than rely on a generic specification.
What is the smallest order?
A few hundred kilograms by air or LCL for a trial, though the price per kilogram is better on tonne quantities by sea. Tell us your annual need and we plan shipments across the harvest season.
Do I need an access and benefit-sharing agreement?
Buying dried devil's claw as a commodity is a trade under permit. If you plan research and development on Namibian genetic resources, Namibia's Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Act of 2017 may apply, and we will point you to the right office.
Why source through Chrimson?
You can buy direct. We add verification of the permits and the laboratory work before you pay, a supplier matched to your specification, and the export documents for every consignment. Our fee is 4% of the FOB value, invoiced when the documents are handed over.