HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3202.10 – Tanning substances; synthetic organic tanning substances
HS code 3202.10 is the 6-digit subheading for tanning substances, synthetic organic tanning substances. It is used for acrylic syntans, melamine syntans, phenolic syntans, sulfone syntans and polymeric tanning agents.
What HS 3202.10 covers
This HS code covers synthetic organic tanning substances, commonly known as syntans, which are man-made chemical compounds designed to tan leather. These substances are vital for modern tanneries, offering consistent quality, specific performance characteristics, and often superior properties like lightfastness and heat resistance, which are crucial for specialized leathers used in automotive, upholstery, and high-fashion applications. International trade is driven by chemical manufacturers supplying these advanced tanning agents to the global leather industry, with significant flows from industrialized nations to leather-producing countries. Environmental regulations and the continuous push for sustainable chemistry are increasingly influencing product development and trade dynamics in this sector, fostering innovation in chrome-free and low-VOC syntans.
- Covers
- Acrylic syntans
- Melamine syntans
- Phenolic syntans
- Sulfone syntans
- Polymeric tanning agents
- Resin tanning agents
- Naphthalene syntans
- Replacement syntans
- Examples
- BASF Basyntan
- Lanxess Baykanol
- Stahl EasyWhite
- TFL Corial
Codes often confused with 3202.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with natural tanning extracts under 3201xx, but this code specifically covers synthetic organic compounds, not plant-derived materials. It also differs from inorganic tanning substances under 320290.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320210, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320210 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 19% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $54M 22% of world exports
- 2 Spain $42M 17% of world exports
- 3 France $27M 11% of world exports
World total: $242M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $51M 19% of world imports
- 2 Italy $27M 10.0% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $21M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $272M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 3202.10
Brazil does not split HS 3202.10: its NCM code is 3202.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3202.10
What is HS code 320210?
HS code 320210 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tanning substances; synthetic organic tanning substances. This HS code covers synthetic organic tanning substances, commonly known as syntans, which are man-made chemical compounds designed to tan leather. These substances are vital for modern tanneries, offering consistent quality, specific performance characteristics, and often superior properties like lightfastness and heat resistance, which are crucial for specialized leathers used in automotive, upholstery, and high-fashion applications. International trade is driven by chemical manufacturers supplying these advanced tanning agents to the global leather industry, with significant flows from industrialized nations to leather-producing countries. Environmental regulations and the continuous push for sustainable chemistry are increasingly influencing product development and trade dynamics in this sector, fostering innovation in chrome-free and low-VOC syntans.
What products fall under HS code 320210?
Acrylic syntans, Melamine syntans, Phenolic syntans, Sulfone syntans, Polymeric tanning agents, Resin tanning agents, Naphthalene syntans, Replacement syntans
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320210?
Can be confused with natural tanning extracts under 3201xx, but this code specifically covers synthetic organic compounds, not plant-derived materials. It also differs from inorganic tanning substances under 320290.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320210?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320210 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($54M, 22% of world exports), Spain ($42M) and France ($27M). World exports came to about $242M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 320210?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320210 in UN Comtrade data were China ($51M, 19% of world imports), Italy ($27M) and Brazil ($21M). World imports came to about $272M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 320210 structured?
HS code 320210 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320210?
In Brazil, HS code 320210 is NCM 3202.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.