Transporter that mediates the import of cysteine into melanosomes, thereby regulating skin/hair pigmentation (PubMed:33208952). In melanosomes, cysteine import is required both for normal levels of cystine, the oxidized dimer of cysteine, and provide cysteine for the production of the cysteinyldopas used in pheomelanin synthesis, thereby regulating skin/hair pigmentation (PubMed:33208952). Also catalyzes import of cysteine into lysosomes in non-pigmented cells (By similarity). L-cysteine(in) = L-cysteine(out) Mice are darker and display a uniformly gray coat color, rather than the expected agouti coat color (PubMed:29025994). Coat color change is caused by a lack of pheomelanin, resulting in white, rather than yellow, banding of hairs (PubMed:29025994). Belongs to the major facilitator superfamily.