HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3208.20 – Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium
HS code 3208.20 is the 6-digit subheading for paints and varnishes, based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium. It is used for acrylic automotive paints, vinyl industrial coatings, solvent-based acrylic lacquers, traffic paints (vinyl-based) and protective acrylic varnishes.
What HS 3208.20 covers
This category includes paints and varnishes based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous (solvent-based) medium. These coatings are highly versatile, offering fast drying times, good weatherability, and excellent adhesion to various substrates. They are extensively used in automotive refinishing, industrial maintenance coatings, traffic paints, and protective finishes for metal and plastic. The solvent-based nature provides specific application advantages and performance characteristics compared to their water-based counterparts. International trade involves major paint and coating manufacturers. Importers are typically automotive repair shops, construction companies, and industrial facilities requiring durable and quick-drying finishes, while exporters are often nations with strong chemical and manufacturing capabilities.
- Covers
- Acrylic automotive paints
- Vinyl industrial coatings
- Solvent-based acrylic lacquers
- Traffic paints (vinyl-based)
- Protective acrylic varnishes
- Marine vinyl coatings
- Sign paints
- Examples
- Axalta Cromax (automotive)
- PPG Delfleet (commercial transport)
- Rust-Oleum Industrial Choice
- Sherwin-Williams ProMar
- Hempel Hempadur
Codes often confused with 3208.20
Common mistake. Often confused with water-based acrylic/vinyl paints (3209.10) due to the polymer type, but the key distinction is the 'non-aqueous medium' (solvent-based).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 320820, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 320820 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 7.0% 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 $958M 19% of world exports
- 2 Japan $659M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $449M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $5.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $340M 7.0% of world imports
- 2 Germany $271M 5.6% of world imports
- 3 United States $267M 5.5% of world imports
World total: $4.9B 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 3208.20 4
Brazil splits HS 3208.20 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3208.20.1 PaintsTintas Group
- 3208.20.11 Acrylic paint sets for printed circuit manufactureÀ base de polímeros acrílicos, apresentadas em sortidos definidos na Nota 3 da Seção VI, do tipo utilizado para a fabricação de circuitos impressos
- 3208.20.19 Other acrylic or vinyl paints, non-aqueousOutras
- 3208.20.20 Acrylic or vinyl varnishes, non-aqueousVernizes
- 3208.20.30 Acrylic or vinyl solutions per Chapter 32 Note 4Soluções definidas na Nota 4 do presente Capítulo
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3208.20
What is HS code 320820?
HS code 320820 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium. This category includes paints and varnishes based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous (solvent-based) medium. These coatings are highly versatile, offering fast drying times, good weatherability, and excellent adhesion to various substrates. They are extensively used in automotive refinishing, industrial maintenance coatings, traffic paints, and protective finishes for metal and plastic. The solvent-based nature provides specific application advantages and performance characteristics compared to their water-based counterparts. International trade involves major paint and coating manufacturers. Importers are typically automotive repair shops, construction companies, and industrial facilities requiring durable and quick-drying finishes, while exporters are often nations with strong chemical and manufacturing capabilities.
What products fall under HS code 320820?
Acrylic automotive paints, vinyl industrial coatings, solvent-based acrylic lacquers, traffic paints (vinyl-based), protective acrylic varnishes, marine vinyl coatings, sign paints
What are common misclassifications for HS code 320820?
Often confused with water-based acrylic/vinyl paints (3209.10) due to the polymer type, but the key distinction is the 'non-aqueous medium' (solvent-based).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 320820?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 320820 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($958M, 19% of world exports), Japan ($659M) and the United States ($449M). World exports came to about $5.1B, 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 320820?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 320820 in UN Comtrade data were China ($340M, 7.0% of world imports), Germany ($271M) and the United States ($267M). World imports came to about $4.9B, 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 320820 structured?
HS code 320820 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 320820?
Brazil splits HS code 320820 into 4 NCM codes: 3208.20.11 (Acrylic paint sets for printed circuit manufacture), 3208.20.19 (Other acrylic or vinyl paints, non-aqueous), 3208.20.20 (Acrylic or vinyl varnishes, non-aqueous), 3208.20.30 (Acrylic or vinyl solutions per Chapter 32 Note 4). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.