In this article
Human and synthetic hair are material categories. They do not, on their own, tell you how a wig is constructed, whether a particular piece accepts heat styling, or how long it will last. A useful comparison separates the material from the finished product and its care instructions.
What US imports show
US-reported imports across the four HS 6704 subheadings totalled about $1.45 billion in 2023 and $1.41 billion in 2024.
| Share of US HS 6704 import value | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Human-hair articles, HS 670420 | 49.2% | 54.4% |
| Synthetic articles, HS 670411 and 670419 | 47.7% | 42.0% |
| Other materials, HS 670490 | 3.1% | 3.6% |
These are customs-value shares, not numbers of pieces sold or retail market shares. The basket includes wigs, hairpieces, lashes and other articles. It does not isolate hair extensions. Human-hair articles represented the larger share of this recorded value in 2024; the figures do not establish a universal material preference.
Synthetic does not mean one fibre
Kaneka's product information distinguishes several fibre families. It describes KANEKALON modacrylic, introduced in 1957, as suitable for braids and wigs and capable of hot-water setting. It separately describes futura polyester as a fibre that can be used with a hair iron. Those manufacturer-specific examples directly contradict the idea that every synthetic style is permanently fixed or that all synthetic pieces have the same heat limits.
Read the instructions for the actual finished item. A capability stated for a fibre brand is not permission to apply the same process to another fibre, attachment system or blend.
Compare the finished products
Useful points to compare include:
- Declared composition: human hair, synthetic fibre, another material or a blend. For a blend, ask what composition the seller can document.
- Construction: a full cap, partial base, weft or strand unit changes what you are comparing.
- Allowed styling and care: use the instructions supplied for that item, including any restrictions on heat or colour changes.
- Appearance: assess the actual shade, texture and finish rather than assuming that one material always blends better.
- Expected use: consider the style you want and the maintenance the product requires. Neither category alone establishes a guaranteed lifespan.
There is no need to describe synthetic hair as inherently inferior to explain human hair. Both categories contain different products, and their suitability depends on the item and intended use. A price difference is not a test of composition or durability.
How to read the figures
The table adds US imports from the world under four separate six-digit codes. Human-hair articles are 670420; synthetic complete wigs are 670411; other synthetic articles are 670419; other materials are 670490. This is a finished-article comparison. Adding raw or prepared-hair trade would mix processing stages.
The recorded values say nothing about donor count, cuticle alignment, country of collection or a particular manufacturer's quality. They are useful for describing this trade basket, with those limits kept visible.
Sources and further reading
World Bank WITS / UN Comtrade, US imports, 670411, 670419, 670420 and 670490, with the corresponding 2023 tables used for the earlier column. Shares are rounded to one decimal place.
Fibre descriptions: Kaneka's KANEKALON product information. These are attributed manufacturer descriptions, not independent comparative performance tests.
Related: Three questions before buying extensions and who imports finished human-hair articles.
