Section VI · Chemical Products · Chapter 32
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks
About chapter 32
Chapter 32 covers tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks: the colour and coating chemicals used across textiles, construction, printing and manufacturing.
Classification tip: Whether a colouring product is 'prepared' (ready to use) or a raw dyestuff changes the subheading, and printing ink is classified separately from paint even though both are pigment-based coatings.
45 six-digit codes
Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives
3 codes3201.10Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; quebracho extract3201.20Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; wattle extract3201.90Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives, (excluding quebracho or wattle extract)
Tanning substances; synthetic organic or inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances, enzymatic preparations for pre-tanning
2 codes3202.10Tanning substances; synthetic organic tanning substances3202.90Tanning substances; inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances; enzymatic preparations for pre- tanning
Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin (including dyeing extracts, not animal black); whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin
1 code3203.00Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin, including dyeing extracts not animal black, whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin
Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined
11 codes3204.11Dyes; disperse dyes and preparations based thereon3204.12Dyes; acid, whether or not premetallised and preparations based thereon, mordant dyes and preparations based thereon3204.13Dyes; basic dyes and preparations based thereon3204.14Dyes; direct dyes and preparations based thereon3204.15Dyes; vat dyes (including those usable in that state as pigments) and preparations based thereon3204.16Dyes; reactive dyes and preparations based thereon3204.17Dyes; pigments and preparations based thereon3204.18Dyes; carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon3204.19Dyes; n.e.c., including mixtures of colouring matter of two or more of those from item no. 3204.11 to 3204.193204.20Dyes; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents3204.90Dyes; synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically defined
Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter
1 code3205.00Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter
Colouring matter and preparations thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 3203, 3204, 3205; inorganic products, kind used as luminophores whether or not chemically defined
7 codes3206.11Colouring matter; pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide, containing 80% or more by weight of titanium dioxide calculated on the dry matter3206.19Colouring matter; pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide, containing less than 80% by weight of titanium dioxide calculated on the dry weight3206.20Colouring matter; pigments and preparations based on chromium compounds3206.41Colouring matter; ultramarine and preparations based thereon3206.42Colouring matter; lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide3206.49Colouring matter; other preparations n.e.c. in item no. 3206.43206.50Colouring matter; inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores
Pigments, prepared; opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres etc as used in the ceramic enamelling or glass industry; glass frit and powder, granules or flakes
4 codes3207.10Pigments; prepared pigments, opacifiers, colours and similar preparations3207.20Enamels and glazes; vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations3207.30Lustres; liquid lustres and similar preparations3207.40Glass; glass frit and other glass, in the form of powder, granules or flakes
Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium
3 codes3208.10Paints and varnishes; based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium3208.20Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium3208.90Paints and varnishes; based on polymers n.e.c. in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium
Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium
2 codes3209.10Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium3209.90Paints and varnishes; (based on polymers other than acrylic or vinyl), dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium
Paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers), excluding those of heading no. 3209, prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather
1 code3210.00Paints and varnishes; (including enamels, lacquers and distempers), prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather
Driers; prepared
1 code3211.00Driers; prepared
Pigments (metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in non-aqueous media in liquid or paste form, as used in manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils, dyes etc in forms, packing for retail sale
2 codes3212.10Pigments; of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, stamping foils3212.90Pigments; of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, other than stamping foils
Colours; artists, students, or signboard painters, modifying tints, amusement colours and the like; in tablets, tubes, jars, bottles, pan or in similar forms or packings
2 codes3213.10Colours; in sets, of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters3213.90Colours; (other than in sets), of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters
Glaziers' putty, grafting putty, resin cements, caulking compounds and other mastics; painters' fillings; non-refractory surfacing preparations for facades, indoor walls, floors, ceilings or the like
2 codes3214.10Mastics; painters' fillings3214.90Mastics; n.e.c. in heading no. 3214
Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid
3 codes3215.11Ink; for printing, black, whether or not concentrated or solid3215.19Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid3215.90Ink; writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solid
More chapters in section VI: Chemical Products
Codes and descriptions follow the WCO six-digit Harmonized System nomenclature. National tariff schedules extend these to 8–13 digits and set the actual duty rate, so confirm the full code for your destination country with your customs broker before filing. To copy a code, hover a row and use the copy button; every code has 3201-style dot notation ready for your commercial invoice.
Chapter 32 FAQ
What does HS code chapter 32 cover?
Chapter 32 of the Harmonized System covers: tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks. It belongs to section VI (Chemical Products) and contains 15 four-digit headings, 3201–3215.
How many HS codes are in chapter 32?
Chapter 32 contains 15 four-digit headings and 45 six-digit subheadings. Countries subdivide these further (8–13 digits) in their national tariff schedules, so the full national count is larger.
Is HS code 3201 the same in every country?
Yes. The six-digit level of every code in this chapter is harmonised by the World Customs Organization and identical in all member countries. Digits beyond the sixth (for example the US 10-digit HTS or the EU 8-digit CN) are national and set the actual duty rate.
How do I choose the right code within chapter 32?
Work from the four-digit heading down: pick the heading that best matches your product, then the six-digit subheading that matches its material, form or processing. If two codes seem to fit, customs rules (the General Rules of Interpretation) decide, and when in doubt, confirm with your customs broker before filing.