HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3206.50 – Colouring matter; inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores
HS code 3206.50 is the 6-digit subheading for colouring matter, inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores. It is used for zinc sulfide phosphors, strontium aluminate phosphors, yttrium oxide phosphors, rare earth phosphors and glow-in-the-dark pigments.
What HS 3206.50 covers
This HS code covers inorganic products used as luminophores, commonly known as phosphors. These materials have the unique ability to emit light when excited by various energy sources (e.g., UV light, electron beams). They are critical components in a wide array of modern technologies, including LED lighting, fluorescent lamps, display screens (LCD, OLED), security inks, and glow-in-the-dark products. International trade in luminophores is dominated by specialized chemical companies and advanced material manufacturers. Importers are typically electronics manufacturers, lighting companies, and security printing firms, while exporters are often nations with strong R&D capabilities in materials science and advanced chemical production. The market is highly specialized and technology-driven.
- Covers
- Zinc sulfide phosphors
- Strontium aluminate phosphors
- Yttrium oxide phosphors
- Rare earth phosphors
- Glow-in-the-dark pigments
- UV-fluorescent pigments
- LED phosphors
- Examples
- Nichia Phosphors
- Intematix Phosphors
- Merck KGaA Lumogen
- Osram Sylvania Phosphors
- Phosphor Technology Ltd.
Codes often confused with 3206.50
Common mistake. Can be confused with other inorganic pigments (3206.4x) if their luminescent property is overlooked, or with fluorescent dyes (3204.20) which are organic compounds.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320650, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320650 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% 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 $48M 29% of world exports
- 2 Japan $45M 27% of world exports
- 3 United States $18M 11% of world exports
World total: $164M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $46M 27% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$18M 10% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Malaysia $12M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $174M 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 codes for 3206.50 4
Brazil splits HS 3206.50 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3206.50.1 Containing radioactive substances with a specific activity of 74 Bq/g (0.002 µCi/g) or lessCom substâncias radioativas de radioatividade específica inferior ou igual a 74 Bq/g (0,002 µCi/g) Group
- 3206.50.11 Radioactive Ca/Sr halophosphates, up to 74 Bq/gHalofosfatos de cálcio ou de estrôncio
- 3206.50.19 Other radioactive luminophores, up to 74 Bq/gOutros
- 3206.50.2 Not containing radioactive substancesSem substâncias radioativas Group
- 3206.50.21 Non-radioactive calcium/strontium halophosphatesHalofosfatos de cálcio ou de estrôncio
- 3206.50.29 Other non-radioactive inorganic luminophoresOutros
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 3206.50
What is HS code 320650?
HS code 320650 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colouring matter; inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores. This HS code covers inorganic products used as luminophores, commonly known as phosphors. These materials have the unique ability to emit light when excited by various energy sources (e.g., UV light, electron beams). They are critical components in a wide array of modern technologies, including LED lighting, fluorescent lamps, display screens (LCD, OLED), security inks, and glow-in-the-dark products. International trade in luminophores is dominated by specialized chemical companies and advanced material manufacturers. Importers are typically electronics manufacturers, lighting companies, and security printing firms, while exporters are often nations with strong R&D capabilities in materials science and advanced chemical production. The market is highly specialized and technology-driven.
What products fall under HS code 320650?
Zinc sulfide phosphors, strontium aluminate phosphors, yttrium oxide phosphors, rare earth phosphors, glow-in-the-dark pigments, UV-fluorescent pigments, LED phosphors
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320650?
Can be confused with other inorganic pigments (3206.4x) if their luminescent property is overlooked, or with fluorescent dyes (3204.20) which are organic compounds.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320650?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320650 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($48M, 29% of world exports), Japan ($45M) and the United States ($18M). World exports came to about $164M, 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 320650?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320650 in UN Comtrade data were China ($46M, 27% of world imports), Vietnam (about $18M) and Malaysia ($12M). World imports came to about $174M, 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 320650 structured?
HS code 320650 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320650?
Brazil splits HS code 320650 into 4 NCM codes: 3206.50.11 (Radioactive Ca/Sr halophosphates, up to 74 Bq/g), 3206.50.19 (Other radioactive luminophores, up to 74 Bq/g), 3206.50.21 (Non-radioactive calcium/strontium halophosphates), 3206.50.29 (Other non-radioactive inorganic luminophores). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.