HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3206.41 – Colouring matter; ultramarine and preparations based thereon
HS code 3206.41 is the 6-digit subheading for colouring matter, ultramarine and preparations based thereon. It is used for ultramarine blue pigment, ultramarine violet pigment, ultramarine preparations for plastics, ultramarine for artists' paints and laundry bluing agents.
What HS 3206.41 covers
This HS code covers ultramarine and preparations based on it, which are inorganic blue pigments. Ultramarine is highly valued for its vibrant blue hue, excellent lightfastness, and non-toxicity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It's extensively used in paints, plastics, printing inks, cosmetics, and even as a whitening agent in textiles and paper. Key players in international trade include chemical manufacturers specializing in pigments, as well as distributors supplying various industrial sectors. Countries with strong manufacturing bases for plastics, coatings, and cosmetics are significant importers, while nations with advanced chemical industries are major exporters. Understanding its specific chemical composition (sodium polysulfide aluminosilicate) is crucial to distinguish it from other blue pigments.
- Covers
- Ultramarine blue pigment
- Ultramarine violet pigment
- Ultramarine preparations for plastics
- Ultramarine for artists' paints
- Laundry bluing agents
- Cosmetic grade ultramarine
- Examples
- Winsor & Newton Ultramarine Blue
- Sennelier Ultramarine Deep
- BASF Ultramarine Pigments
- Shepherd Color Ultramarine
- Kremer Pigmente Ultramarine
Codes often confused with 3206.41
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other blue inorganic pigments like cobalt blue or phthalocyanine blue (often found under 3206.49 or 3204.17 respectively) if the specific ultramarine composition is not identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320641, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320641 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% 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 India $40M 22% of world exports
- 2 Spain $35M 19% of world exports
- 3 France $27M 14% of world exports
World total: $186M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $28M 13% of world imports
- 2 Spain $26M 13% of world imports
- 3 United States $24M 12% of world imports
World total: $206M 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 3206.41
Brazil does not split HS 3206.41: its NCM code is 3206.41.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3206.41
What is HS code 320641?
HS code 320641 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colouring matter; ultramarine and preparations based thereon. This HS code covers ultramarine and preparations based on it, which are inorganic blue pigments. Ultramarine is highly valued for its vibrant blue hue, excellent lightfastness, and non-toxicity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It's extensively used in paints, plastics, printing inks, cosmetics, and even as a whitening agent in textiles and paper. Key players in international trade include chemical manufacturers specializing in pigments, as well as distributors supplying various industrial sectors. Countries with strong manufacturing bases for plastics, coatings, and cosmetics are significant importers, while nations with advanced chemical industries are major exporters. Understanding its specific chemical composition (sodium polysulfide aluminosilicate) is crucial to distinguish it from other blue pigments.
What products fall under HS code 320641?
Ultramarine blue pigment, ultramarine violet pigment, ultramarine preparations for plastics, ultramarine for artists' paints, laundry bluing agents, cosmetic grade ultramarine
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320641?
This code can be confused with other blue inorganic pigments like cobalt blue or phthalocyanine blue (often found under 3206.49 or 3204.17 respectively) if the specific ultramarine composition is not identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320641?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320641 in UN Comtrade data were India ($40M, 22% of world exports), Spain ($35M) and France ($27M). World exports came to about $186M, 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 320641?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320641 in UN Comtrade data were China ($28M, 13% of world imports), Spain ($26M) and the United States ($24M). World imports came to about $206M, 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 320641 structured?
HS code 320641 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (41) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320641?
In Brazil, HS code 320641 is NCM 3206.41.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.