HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3206.42 – Colouring matter; lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide
HS code 3206.42 is the 6-digit subheading for colouring matter, lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide. It is used for lithopone pigment, zinc sulphide pigment, barium sulfate-zinc sulfide preparations, white pigment for rubber and pigment for linoleum.
What HS 3206.42 covers
This category encompasses lithopone and other pigments and preparations primarily based on zinc sulphide. Lithopone is a white pigment composed of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide, known for its good opacity, whiteness, and low cost. While its use has somewhat declined in favor of titanium dioxide in certain applications, it remains important in specific sectors like rubber, linoleum, and some paints where its unique properties, such as chemical inertness and non-abrasiveness, are advantageous. International trade involves chemical companies manufacturing these pigments and industries requiring cost-effective white opacifiers. Importers are typically manufacturers of rubber products, plastics, and certain types of coatings, while exporters are often large-scale chemical producers.
- Covers
- Lithopone pigment
- Zinc sulphide pigment
- Barium sulfate-zinc sulfide preparations
- White pigment for rubber
- Pigment for linoleum
- Low-cost white paint filler
- Examples
- Sachtleben Lithopone
- Venator Lithopone
- Lanxess Lithopone
- Hebei Jinguang Chemical Lithopone
- Shandong Xinhai Chemical Lithopone
Codes often confused with 3206.42
Common mistake. Often confused with titanium dioxide (3206.11) due to both being white pigments, but lithopone is a distinct compound of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320642, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320642 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 11% 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 Germany $7.4M 34% of world exports
- 2 China $5.5M 26% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.8M 8.4% of world exports
World total: $21M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $3.0M 11% of world imports
- 2 Austria $2.2M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Italy $2.1M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $29M 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 codes for 3206.42 2
Brazil splits HS 3206.42 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
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 3206.42
What is HS code 320642?
HS code 320642 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colouring matter; lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulphide. This category encompasses lithopone and other pigments and preparations primarily based on zinc sulphide. Lithopone is a white pigment composed of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide, known for its good opacity, whiteness, and low cost. While its use has somewhat declined in favor of titanium dioxide in certain applications, it remains important in specific sectors like rubber, linoleum, and some paints where its unique properties, such as chemical inertness and non-abrasiveness, are advantageous. International trade involves chemical companies manufacturing these pigments and industries requiring cost-effective white opacifiers. Importers are typically manufacturers of rubber products, plastics, and certain types of coatings, while exporters are often large-scale chemical producers.
What products fall under HS code 320642?
Lithopone pigment, zinc sulphide pigment, barium sulfate-zinc sulfide preparations, white pigment for rubber, pigment for linoleum, low-cost white paint filler
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320642?
Often confused with titanium dioxide (3206.11) due to both being white pigments, but lithopone is a distinct compound of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320642?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320642 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($7.4M, 34% of world exports), China ($5.5M) and the United States ($1.8M). World exports came to about $21M, 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 320642?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320642 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($3.0M, 11% of world imports), Austria ($2.2M) and Italy ($2.1M). World imports came to about $29M, 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 320642 structured?
HS code 320642 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 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320642?
Brazil splits HS code 320642 into 2 NCM codes: 3206.42.10 (Lithopone), 3206.42.90 (Other zinc sulphide pigments and preparations). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.