Pigments — HTS 3212
Pigments (including metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in nonaqueous media, in liquid or paste form, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils; dyes and other coloring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale
Chapter 32 › Heading 3212
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 3212 is a broad product category for certain coloring products and paint-related materials. It groups together pigments—including metallic powders and flakes—dispersed in a nonaqueous medium and presented as a liquid or paste for making paints or enamels; stamping foils; and dyes or other coloring matter packaged for retail sale. These products may look similar, but their classification can depend on composition, physical form, intended use, and packaging.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, first confirm that the product belongs in heading 3212, then use the heading’s subheadings and tariff provisions to narrow it by the relevant product type or material. Review the product’s technical data sheet, ingredients, carrier or medium, form, labeling, and packaging. If the wording does not clearly resolve the classification—especially for mixtures, specialty colorants, or products used in more than one industry—obtain a customs broker’s or classification specialist’s judgment and verify against current official HTS guidance.
What to check
- Identify whether the item is a paint-making pigment dispersion, stamping foil, or retail-packed dye/coloring matter before selecting a subheading.
- Check the product’s physical form and composition, including whether a pigment is dispersed in a nonaqueous medium and supplied as a liquid or paste.
- Read the subheading descriptions carefully for material- or product-type distinctions, rather than choosing a code based only on the product’s trade name.
- Keep the technical data sheet, ingredient or pigment information, intended-use statement, packaging details, and product photographs as classification support.
- Confirm the complete 8-digit code in the current official HTS and consult a customs broker when the product could fit more than one heading or subheading.
HTS heading 3212 summary
Pigments is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3212.10.00.00 👉 | Stamping foils | 4.7% | Free | 20% |
| 3212.90.00 👉 | Other | 3.1% | Free | 25% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 3212?
Pigments (including metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in nonaqueous media, in liquid or paste form, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils; dyes and other coloring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.