Brazil NCM · 8-digit subitem
NCM 3204.18.20 – β-carotene, apo-ester, canthaxanthin food colours
NCM 3204.18.20 (also written 32041820) is Brazil's code for β-carotene, apo-ester, canthaxanthin food colours. Its first 6 digits are HS code 3204.18.
Official description of NCM 3204.18.20
- PortuguêsOfficial
Preparações que contenham beta-caroteno, ésteres metílico ou etílico do ácido 8'-apo-beta-carotenoico ou cantaxantina, com óleos vegetais, amido, gelatina, sacarose ou dextrina, próprias para colorir alimentos
- EnglishUnofficial translation
Preparations containing beta-carotene, methyl or ethyl esters of 8'-apo-beta-carotenoic acid or canthaxanthin, with vegetable oils, starch, gelatin, sucrose or dextrin, suitable for colouring food
Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul (Siscomex). Updated Oct 2026 · In force since Apr 2022 (Res Gecex 272/2021).
How to read NCM 3204.18.20
HS code 3204.18
Same in every country
Added by Mercosur
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
The first 6 digits are the international HS code, so their meaning is the same in every country; Brazil publishes the text in Portuguese. Digits 7 and 8 are Brazil's own split of that HS code. The full 8-digit code is used on import declarations (DUIMP), invoices (NF-e) and tax filings.
Full classification path
- Chapter 32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks Extratos tanantes e tintoriais; taninos e seus derivados; pigmentos e outras matérias corantes; tintas e vernizes; mástiques; tintas de escrever.
- Heading 32.04 Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined Matérias corantes orgânicas sintéticas, mesmo de constituição química definida; preparações indicadas na Nota 3 do presente Capítulo, à base de matérias corantes orgânicas sintéticas; produtos orgânicos sintéticos do tipo utilizado como agentes de avivamento fluorescentes ou como luminóforos, mesmo de constituição química definida.
- Group 3204.1 Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations as specified in Note 3 to this Chapter based thereon: Matérias corantes orgânicas sintéticas e preparações indicadas na Nota 3 do presente Capítulo, à base dessas matérias corantes:
- Subheading 3204.18 Dyes; carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon Matérias corantes carotenoides e preparações à base dessas matérias
- Subitem 3204.18.20 Preparations containing beta-carotene, methyl or ethyl esters of 8'-apo-beta-carotenoic acid or canthaxanthin, with vegetable oils, starch, gelatin, sucrose or dextrin, suitable for colouring food Preparações que contenham beta-caroteno, ésteres metílico ou etílico do ácido 8'-apo-beta-carotenoico ou cantaxantina, com óleos vegetais, amido, gelatina, sacarose ou dextrina, próprias para colorir alimentos
Other NCM codes under HS 3204.18
Questions about NCM 3204.18.20
What is NCM 3204.18.20?
NCM 3204.18.20 (32041820) is the Brazilian (Mercosur) code for β-carotene, apo-ester, canthaxanthin food colours. Its official Portuguese description is “Preparações que contenham beta-caroteno, ésteres metílico ou etílico do ácido 8'-apo-beta-carotenoico ou cantaxantina, com óleos vegetais, amido, gelatina, sacarose ou dextrina, próprias para colorir alimentos”.
What is the HS code for NCM 3204.18.20?
HS 3204.18 (Dyes; carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon). The first 6 digits of an NCM code are its international HS code; the last 2 digits are Brazil's own split.
Is an NCM code the same as an HS code?
The first 6 digits are the same in every country. NCM adds an item digit (7th) and a subitem digit (8th). A code ending in 00 means Brazil does not split that HS code further.
Which countries use NCM 3204.18.20?
All Mercosur members use the same NCM codes: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Source: Siscomex Classif NCM table, updated Oct 2026 (Resolução Gecex nº 926/2026). The Portuguese text is the official one; the English is our translation.