HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3205.00 – Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter
HS code 3205.00 is the 6-digit subheading for colour lakes, preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter. It is used for lithol Rubine B, lake Red C, tartrazine Lake, erythrosine Lake and indigo Carmine Lake.
What HS 3205.00 covers
Colour lakes are pigments formed by precipitating a soluble dye onto an insoluble substrate, typically a metallic salt (like aluminum hydroxide). This process renders the dye insoluble, making it suitable for applications where pigments are required, such as printing inks, paints, plastics, and cosmetics. They offer good lightfastness and heat stability for certain applications. The trade in colour lakes is driven by industries requiring vibrant, non-bleeding colors, particularly in packaging, decorative coatings, and certain food-contact materials (where approved). Major importers include countries with significant printing, packaging, and plastics manufacturing sectors, such as China, the USA, Germany, and India. Exporters are often chemical companies specializing in pigment production, found in countries like China, India, and Germany. Key considerations include regulatory compliance for heavy metals, particle size distribution for optimal performance, and the selection of appropriate substrates to achieve desired properties.
- Covers
- Lithol Rubine B
- Lake Red C
- Tartrazine Lake
- Erythrosine Lake
- Indigo Carmine Lake
- Sunset Yellow Lake
- Brilliant Blue FCF Lake
- Examples
- Sun Chemical Laked pigments
- DIC Dainichiseika Lake pigments
- BASF Irgalite Lake pigments
- Clariant Hostaperm Lake pigments
Codes often confused with 3205.00
Common mistake. Colour lakes are often confused with other synthetic organic pigments (320417) or even inorganic pigments (3206) if the specific "lake" formation process from a dye is not recognized.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320500, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320500 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 7.5% 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 Peru* ~$106M 33% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 India $78M 25% of world exports
- 3 United States $36M 11% of world exports
World total: $319M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $28M 7.5% of world imports
- 2 China $28M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 United States $26M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $375M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 3205.00
Brazil does not split HS 3205.00: its NCM code is 3205.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3205.00
What is HS code 320500?
HS code 320500 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter. Colour lakes are pigments formed by precipitating a soluble dye onto an insoluble substrate, typically a metallic salt (like aluminum hydroxide). This process renders the dye insoluble, making it suitable for applications where pigments are required, such as printing inks, paints, plastics, and cosmetics. They offer good lightfastness and heat stability for certain applications. The trade in colour lakes is driven by industries requiring vibrant, non-bleeding colors, particularly in packaging, decorative coatings, and certain food-contact materials (where approved). Major importers include countries with significant printing, packaging, and plastics manufacturing sectors, such as China, the USA, Germany, and India. Exporters are often chemical companies specializing in pigment production, found in countries like China, India, and Germany. Key considerations include regulatory compliance for heavy metals, particle size distribution for optimal performance, and the selection of appropriate substrates to achieve desired properties.
What products fall under HS code 320500?
Lithol Rubine B, Lake Red C, Tartrazine Lake, Erythrosine Lake, Indigo Carmine Lake, Sunset Yellow Lake, Brilliant Blue FCF Lake
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320500?
Colour lakes are often confused with other synthetic organic pigments (320417) or even inorganic pigments (3206) if the specific "lake" formation process from a dye is not recognized.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320500?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320500 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $106M, 33% of world exports), India ($78M) and the United States ($36M). World exports came to about $319M, 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 320500?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320500 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($28M, 7.5% of world imports), China ($28M) and the United States ($26M). World imports came to about $375M, 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 320500 structured?
HS code 320500 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320500?
In Brazil, HS code 320500 is NCM 3205.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.