HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3212.90 – Pigments; of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, other than stamping foils
HS code 3212.90 is the 6-digit subheading for pigments, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, other than stamping foils. It is used for titanium dioxide pigments, iron oxide pigments, carbon black pigments, phthalocyanine pigments and organic red pigments.
What HS 3212.90 covers
This broad HS code covers a vast array of prepared pigments used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, inks, plastics, and other coloring applications, explicitly excluding those for stamping foils. These pigments undergo processing to ensure optimal dispersion, color strength, lightfastness, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for diverse industrial and consumer products. Importers are manufacturers across numerous sectors, including paint, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, and printing. Exporters are major chemical and pigment companies globally. International trade in these pigments is driven by demand for specific colors, performance characteristics, and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
- Covers
- Titanium dioxide pigments
- Iron oxide pigments
- Carbon black pigments
- Phthalocyanine pigments
- Organic red pigments
- Pearlescent pigments
- Fluorescent pigments
- Automotive grade pigments
- Effect pigments
- Examples
- DuPont Ti-Pure
- BASF Paliogen
- Clariant Hostaperm
- Lanxess Bayferrox
- Cabot Carbon Black
Codes often confused with 3212.90
Common mistake. This is a residual category for pigments, so it's crucial to distinguish from 3206 (inorganic/organic coloring matter) if they are not 'prepared' or specifically for paints, or from 321210 if not for stamping foils.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 321290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 321290 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 8.5% 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 Germany $321M 21% of world exports
- 2 United States $158M 10% of world exports
- 3 France $117M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $137M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 United States $131M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Germany $126M 7.8% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 3212.90 2
Brazil splits HS 3212.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3212.90.10 Aluminium pigment paste, 60% or more aluminiumAlumínio em pó ou em lamelas, empastado com solvente do tipo hidrocarbonetos, com um teor de alumínio igual ou superior a 60 %, em peso
- 3212.90.90 Other pigment dispersions and retail dyesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3212.90
What is HS code 321290?
HS code 321290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pigments; of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, other than stamping foils. This broad HS code covers a vast array of prepared pigments used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, inks, plastics, and other coloring applications, explicitly excluding those for stamping foils. These pigments undergo processing to ensure optimal dispersion, color strength, lightfastness, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for diverse industrial and consumer products. Importers are manufacturers across numerous sectors, including paint, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, and printing. Exporters are major chemical and pigment companies globally. International trade in these pigments is driven by demand for specific colors, performance characteristics, and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
What products fall under HS code 321290?
Titanium dioxide pigments, iron oxide pigments, carbon black pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, organic red pigments, pearlescent pigments, fluorescent pigments, automotive grade pigments, effect pigments
What are common misclassifications for HS code 321290?
This is a residual category for pigments, so it's crucial to distinguish from 3206 (inorganic/organic coloring matter) if they are not 'prepared' or specifically for paints, or from 321210 if not for stamping foils.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 321290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 321290 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($321M, 21% of world exports), the United States ($158M) and France ($117M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 321290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 321290 in UN Comtrade data were China ($137M, 8.5% of world imports), the United States ($131M) and Germany ($126M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 321290 structured?
HS code 321290 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 321290?
Brazil splits HS code 321290 into 2 NCM codes: 3212.90.10 (Aluminium pigment paste, 60% or more aluminium), 3212.90.90 (Other pigment dispersions and retail dyes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.