Printing ink — HTS 3215
Printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid
Chapter 32 › Heading 3215
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 3215 is a broad product category for printing inks, writing or drawing inks, and other inks. It can include products supplied as liquids, pastes, concentrates, or solid forms. The heading covers the ink product itself; packaging and marketing claims do not by themselves determine the classification.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, first identify the ink’s primary use and type—such as printing ink versus writing or drawing ink—then review the progressively narrower subheading descriptions. Depending on the product, the distinctions may involve characteristics such as color, formulation, or intended application. The complete 8-digit code must be selected from the current HTSUS and supported by the product’s actual composition and use.
What to check
- Read the full HTSUS descriptions under heading 3215, including the relevant chapter and section notes, rather than stopping at the 4-digit heading.
- Confirm whether the product is printing ink, writing or drawing ink, or another type of ink, and document its intended commercial use.
- Check technical data such as color, physical form, concentration, pigments or dyes, solvent or carrier, and curing method when the subheadings distinguish those features.
- Compare the product’s specifications and safety data sheet with the wording of each candidate 8-digit subheading; do not rely only on the brand name or invoice description.
- Verify the current 8-digit HTSUS code and any applicable classification rulings or obtain customs-broker advice when the formulation or intended use creates uncertainty.
HTS heading 3215 summary
Printing ink is a 4-digit product category containing 0 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.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3215.11 | Black |
| 3215.19 | Other |
| 3215.90 | Other |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 3215?
Printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid. 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.